Visit Joplin MO

10/28/2026

Joplin put its best foot forward! About 60 walkers gathered at Joplin City Hall for a regional event hosted by the local American Volkssport Association (AVA) club.

The AVA is a national nonprofit dedicated to promoting health, fitness and friendship through noncompetitive recreational walking and other outdoor activities. With organized walks across the country, the association encourages people of all ages and fitness levels to explore new communities, enjoy the outdoors and discover local history along the way.

The group kicked off its walk at the historic Newman Building, adding a little Joplin history to the journey!

10/28/2026

Big news for Joplin cyclists! The City of Joplin has secured a $500,000 federal grant to help build a new 2/3-mile trail connecting Landreth Park to Dover Park and MOmentum Bike Park.

The project will include a 12-foot-wide multi-use trail, a pedestrian bridge over Joplin Creek, and wayfinding signage, making it safer and easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get around. Construction is expected to begin soon, with completion planned by 2028.

Another step toward connecting Joplin’s parks and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities!

10/08/2026

Route 66 history just got a little more epic.

Irish ultra-endurance cyclist Joe Barr has officially earned the first Guinness World Record for cycling the entire length of Route 66, covering 2,448 miles from Santa Monica to Chicago in just 10 days, 6 hours and 27 minutes during the Mother Road’s centennial year.

And Joplin was part of the journey.

As Joe made his way across the country, he passed through Joplin on his cross-country ride, giving the city another memorable connection to a truly remarkable Route 66 adventure.

Behind the scenes, Visit Joplin MO Tourism Director Patrick Tuttle also played a role in helping make the journey visible along the Mother Road, working to connect media and tourism agencies with Joe and his team as they followed his progress across the country.

At 66 years old when he began the ride, Joe completed the challenge just one day before his 67th birthday, adding another incredible chapter to a cycling career spanning more than five decades.

Route 66. One legendary road. One record-breaking ride. And Joplin was along for the journey.

10/07/2026

Become part of this year's North Heights Porchfest! It's this Saturday, 10-10-26!

This year at Porchfest, you can actually become part of the neighborhood.

We’ve outlined a bench with flowers, and throughout the day, Porchfest attendees can stop by and paint a petal or a butterfly. When it’s finished, the bench will stay right here in North Heights as a piece of community art created by all of you.
The project is hosted by Shaina Rodriguez and will be set up in front of Hudson’s Market, 612 W. E St.

And while you’re there, stick around for some music! Hudson’s Market will also be home to Storyteller Songwrights all day, with songwriters performing inside throughout Porchfest.

Come paint a little piece of Porchfest that will live in the neighborhood long after the music stops.

09/29/2026

Wonderful evening with Gilligans Route 66 Tours last night. The New Zealanders enjoyed the city tour in the yellow school bus. The street paintings were a big hit.

09/24/2026

LIVE NOW from Joplin, Missouri!

We’re celebrating an incredible milestone as Sign Designs marks 35 years in business.

Founded in 1991 by John Hipple Jr. out of a single-bay garage, Sign Designs has grown into a premier full-service sign professional serving businesses throughout the Four-State Area.

Today, the company is celebrating 35 years of hard work, growth, and service with a 35-Year Anniversary Open House at its headquarters at 1720 W. 7th St. in Joplin.

09/24/2026

Imagine seeing all of Route 66 from the saddle of a Harley-Davidson.

For these six riders from Brazil, that dream is a reality. The group rolled into Joplin today during their Route 66 adventure, stopping at the Route 66 Visitors Center to get their Mother Road Passport stamped and, of course, grab a photo with the iconic Joplin Route 66 shield.

From Brazil to the Mother Road, Joplin is one of the stops along an unforgettable cross-country ride.

09/22/2026

We are live at the Joplin History and Mineral Museum!

Members of the Jefferson Highway Association are in Joplin this week for their annual convention, and this morning they are unveiling the new Crossroads of America historic sign at the museum.

Joplin has an important connection to two iconic roads: the Jefferson Highway and Route 66.

From the early days of the “Pines to Palms” highway to the Mother Road that followed, Joplin has long been a true crossroads for travelers exploring America by road.

09/21/2026

Time for a history lesson, Joplin style!

Members of the Jefferson Highway Association are in Joplin this week for their annual convention, and this morning they got a closer look at Joplin’s place in the story of two iconic roads: the Jefferson Highway and Route 66.

From the early days of the “Pines to Palms” highway to the Mother Road that followed decades later, Joplin has long been a crossroads for travelers exploring America by road.

There’s more history to come! Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22, the Jefferson Highway Association will unveil the new Crossroads of America historic sign at the Joplin History Museum at 10 a.m.

If you love road history, this is one you won’t want to miss.

09/21/2026

29 riders. Two vineyards. One beautiful Saturday on the road.

The 8th Annual Tour de Vineyard was a big success, with cyclists cruising the countryside between Keltoi and Christine’s Vineyards north of Joplin.

From scenic roads to vineyard stops, it was a perfect way to experience the area from two wheels. And if this ride proved anything, it’s that there are plenty of ways to explore Joplin beyond the Mother Road!