Visit Joplin MO

06/02/2026

The 2026 World Street Painting Festival is underway in Joplin!

Fourteen internationally acclaimed artists from nine countries are transforming the parking lot at 1717 W. 7th Street into a stunning outdoor gallery of 3D street art in celebration of the Route 66 Centennial. When complete, the new gallery will feature 16 incredible illusionary artworks.

The public is invited to watch the artists at work June 3–5 and join the public reveal on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to noon. Kids can even create their own Route 66 chalk art in the community chalk gallery.

By the end of the festival, Joplin will be home to the world's largest outdoor collection of 3D street paintings with 29 installations across three locations.

06/01/2026

Round 1 of the Silver Sage Renaissance Festival is in the books, but round 2 is this weekend!
It's a weekend of food, fun, and live performances!
Check them out in Landreth Park in Joplin!

05/30/2026

From the heartland to the Mother Road.
This group of travelers is seeing Route 66 by bus, and that includes a stop in Joplin for a tour of the Newman Brothers Building, also known as the current Joplin City Hall.

Standing proudly at the corner of 6th and Main Street in downtown Joplin, Missouri, the Newman Brothers Building is one of the city’s most recognizable historic landmarks. Built in 1910, the five-story structure originally housed Newman’s Department Store, a retail destination that served generations of shoppers throughout the Four States region.

Today, the Newman Brothers Building serves as Joplin City Hall, continuing its role as a centerpiece of downtown. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it stands as a reminder of the city’s rich history while remaining an active part of Joplin’s future.

05/29/2026

They came, they saw, they got the postcards!
These tourists from all over the world are spending their summer vacation celebrating 100 years of Route 66 by bus.
No tour would be complete without a visit to historic Joplin City Hall, the Route 66 Mural Park, and the 3D Street Art.
You can check it all out for yourself, and make sure to grab a free postcard or three while you are here!

05/28/2026

There's a lot going on at Bearded Lady Roasters in Joplin!
Make sure to check them out!

Something new is brewing here at Bearded Lady Coffee Roasters,
our owner, head roaster, and coolest cat here at the shop,
is working hard to get our new coffee ready by Saturday!!

This week at Bearded Lady Coffee Roasters!!
Thursday: Try out our new coffee on batch!! Farmhouse Bakery Joplin is open 8am-4pm, and Study Hall from 4:00-5:30pm!
Friday: will be open from 11-2!
Check out Bike Walk Joplin with their .cm community event starting around 5:30/6pm! They are collecting non-perishable food and personal hygiene items to distribute to community Blessing Boxes along their route!
Check out their post for more information!
Saturday: NEW COFFEE DAY at Bearded Lady Coffee Shop AND at our booth at Webb City Farmers Market ! Buy one get one half off our 12oz bags of whole bean coffee to celebrate! This Saturday only!

05/28/2026

It's a Joplin institution for a reason!
You can never go wrong with a burger from Fred & Red's!
Celebrate National Burger Day at their countertop!

05/28/2026

For 100 years, Route 66 has connected people, places, and stories. Next week, that tradition continues as artists from across the globe gather in Joplin to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial through art. Bringing their own backgrounds, ideas, and artistic styles, they will add new chapters to the world’s largest open-air 3D street painting gallery and help tell the story of the Mother Road in a completely new way.

We can’t wait to welcome them to Joplin.
Come see them paint live June 2 - 6!

05/26/2026

Joplin is about to become home to the world’s largest outdoor 3D street painting collection, and you can already see the two newest pieces at 1717 West 7th Street.

From June 3–5, sixteen artists will transform West 7th Street into an incredible open-air gallery celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. All sixteen masterpieces will be unveiled on June 6, inviting visitors to step into the art, take photos, and experience the magic up close, but you can view the first two right now!

The free gallery will remain on display year-round alongside artwork from the 2024 and 2025 festivals, creating a one-of-a-kind Route 66 attraction right here in Joplin.

The Brief

05/26/2026

Joplin has company coming - so we cleaned up!

In this episode of Around Joplin with Fryendz, he follows along as the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Joplin partner together with area organizations and volunteers to clean up trash around town ahead of what's expected to be a record tourism season on Route 66.


Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce
Visit Joplin MO

05/23/2026

A Guinness World Record attempt will soon be rolling down Route 66, and Joplin got an early look this morning.

Ultra-endurance cyclist Joe Barr met with local media ahead of his ambitious ride to become the fastest person to cycle the entire 2,440-mile length of Route 66 nonstop in just eight days.

Barr will begin his journey at the Santa Monica Pier on June 2 and plans to finish at Navy Pier in Chicago on June 10 during the Route 66 Centennial celebration. At 66 years old, Barr is aiming to become not only the fastest person to complete the challenge, but also the oldest.

Originally from Ireland, Barr is a world-renowned ultra-cyclist with multiple world records, championship titles, and more than 50 years of racing experience. A documentary crew will follow his journey across the Mother Road, capturing every mile of the historic attempt.

Joe is expected to pass through Joplin on the morning of June 8 as he pedals through Missouri on his record-setting ride.