Historic Route 66

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Cruise along historic Route 66 as it winds its way through the heart of Joplin, via Main Street downtown, then toward the Kansas state line on 7th Street. Our city is even featured in the lyrics of the iconic song “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66,” and we have a park dedicated to Joplin’s place in the history of this major highway.

Known as the Mother Road, Route 66 was established in 1926, reaching from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. By the 1950s, it was heavily traveled by vacationers making their way out west. While larger interstate highways have since made the trip out west more efficient, each year thousands of tourists - many of them from around the globe - still choose to take a more nostalgic journey on Route 66.

A cruise down Route 66 carries you through the heart of Joplin, allowing you to experience our city with awakened senses. Channel your inner Siskel-and-Ebert after viewing an independent film at a one-of-a-kind theater. Savor the made-from-scratch goodness of gourmet chocolates that have been crafted in Joplin for over 40 years at a local candy factory. Explore Main Street's boutiques and galleries for unique items and local art, then feast your eyes on our vibrant downtown murals, as well as the extraordinary examples of architecture in Murphysburg, our city's first residential district. Delve into backstory of our city at the Joplin museum, where you'll learn about how the discovery of valuable minerals turned this idyllic Ozark spot into a booming town, a town that has been- and continues to be- visited by thousands of Mother Road travelers each year.

Bookhouse Cinema
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Catch an indie film & grab a pint and a bite.

Candy House Gourmet Chocolates
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Hand dipped, delicious chocolates, made right here in JOMO.

Downtown Joplin
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Right on Route 66 and home to dozens of shops, restaurants, and art galleries all knit together by a tight bunch of downtown city blocks.

Murals at City Hall
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Thomas Hart Benton's last signed mural, Joplin at the Turn of the Century, 1896-1906 hangs alongside grandson Anthony Benton Gude's mural, Route 66- Joplin, Missouri.
Free and open to the public Monday though Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. By appointment on Weekends. 417.625.4789

Route 66 Mural Park
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Get your pics on Route 66 at the great photo stop!

Murphysburg
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One of the oldest neighborhoods in Joplin, and the only one on the National Register of Historic Places.

Joplin History & Mineral Museum
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Mining brought to life alongside a journey through history of the city.

Historic Route 66

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