'''Joplin''' [http://www.joplincvb.com] is in Southwest Missouri, USA.

Understand

Joplin is the "hub" of the southwest corner of Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma. The population of Joplin proper is 45,504, but, with several "suburbs" around Joplin, the population of the Joplin metro area is near 100,000.

Officially, the "Joplin metropolitan area" (the 4th largest in Missouri)is Jasper and Newton Counties in Missouri. However, given its location at the confluence of three states, it is quite common for many people in Kansas and Oklahoma (as well as other parts of southwest Missouri) to frequent Joplin, for work and pleasure.

Other cities and towns that comprise the Joplin area include:

  • Webb City
  • Carthage
  • Carl Junction
  • Loma Linda
  • Leawood
  • Neosho
  • Seneca
  • Duenweg
  • Pittsburg, KS
  • Galena, KS
  • Baxter Springs, KS
  • Miami, OK
  • Joplin is approximately 40 miles north of the Arkansas state line. Thus, the Joplin area is commonly referred to as the "Four-State Area".

    Get in

    By plane

  • '''Joplin Regional Airport''', ({{IATA|JLN}}) [http://www.jlnairport.com/]. US Airways took over in 2006 as the single carrier serving Joplin Regional Airport. Flights to and from Kansas City and Dallas are available through US Airways at Joplin Regional.
  • Three other airports with more flight selections are available:

  • '''Springfield/Branson Regional Airport'''
  • '''Tulsa International Airport'''
  • '''Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport'''
  • By car

  • '''Interstate 44'''. The city is located at its junction with '''US Highway 71.''' It is within a half-day's drive of several major cities, including Kansas City, St. Louis, Tulsa, Wichita, and Oklahoma City.
  • By bus

  • '''Greyhound Bus Lines''', [http://www.greyhound.com/]. The depot is on 2nd Street downtown.
  • Get around

  • '''Automobile'''. This is the only method of transportation, other than walking, in the city. There is no mass public transit.
  • The "main business drag" of Joplin is Range Line Road (aka, "Business 71"). The heaviest concentration of commerce and business is located along Range Line Road (along with the heaviest concentration of traffic). Other "business drags" include 7th Street, Main Street, and 32nd Street.

    See

  • '''Spiva Center for the Arts'''
  • Historic Homes. ergeant Avenue and Moffet Avenue. Many beautiful 19th and 20th century homes line the streets.

    Do

    Learn

  • '''Missouri Southern State University'''.
  • '''Messenger College'''.
  • '''Ozark Christian College'''
  • Work

  • '''Leggett & Platt'''
  • '''General Mills'''
  • '''Contract Freighters Inc.'''
  • Buy

  • '''Northpark Mall'''.
  • '''Antique Malls'''. There are several antique malls (sometimes called Flea Markets, but with no swap meet) that cater specifically to people on their way to Branson or the craft fairs in Northwest Arkansas. The largest is Connie's Flea Market on Rangeline between Joplin and Webb City, with several others on the eastern side of Highway FF(32nd Street). Prices go often go up during craft fair season (April and October.)
  • Eat

  • '''The Kitchen Pass'''.
  • '''Club 609'''.
  • '''Red Onion Cafe'''.
  • '''Johnny Carino's'''.
  • '''Pizza By Stout'''. 2101 S. Rangeline Rd. Pizza and over 100 beers.
  • '''J-Town'''. 2505 S. Main St. Sports Bar, poolhall, and restaurant.
  • '''Wilder's'''. 1216 S. Main. A very old restaurant and piano bar specializing in steaks and pasta. Still has "Recommended by Duncan Hines" on their sign.
  • '''Ichiban'''. Japanese food and sushi. 2914 E 32nd St, just west of Rangeline.
  • '''Kinnaree'''. 1227 E 32nd St, next to Dollar General. Thai food.
  • '''Mucho Mexico''' (in Webb City).
  • '''Cafe Del Rio'''.
  • '''Bradbury Bishop Deli'''. 201 N. Main St. in Webb City. A diner with decore dating from the '30's on through the '60s, serving classic American food and drinks. Very reasonable. Open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday, and dinner Thursday through Saturday.
  • '''Columbia Traders'''. 420 S. Main St. Grocery, deli, and coffee shop.
  • '''Fred & Red's Chili'''. 1719 S. Main St. Opened in 1923, this chili restaurant has become a Joplin institution. Birthplace of the local specialty Spaghetti Red. Closed Mondays and the month of August.
  • '''Babe's'''. Fast food. Several locations in Joplin.
  • '''Granny Schaffer's'''. Southern food. Noted for fried chicken. Locations on Rangeline between Joplin and Webb City, 7th St, and in Airport Drive, northwest of Joplin.
  • '''Big R's''' 1220 E. 15th St. Barbeque. Huge portions.
  • '''Baxter Springs Smokehouse''' 2320 Military in Baxter Springs
  • Drink

  • '''Turtle Heads Raw Bar'''.
  • '''The Bypass (Part of The Kitchen Pass)'''.
  • Waffle House. 506 S Range Line Rd. orth of I-44 on Rangeline, hard to miss. 417) 623-3244. ttp://wafflehouse.com/. 4/7. It's....the Waffle House. It's legendary.

    Sleep

    Several national hotel chains have locations in Joplin. There are also several private "mom and pop" hotels in Joplin. Practically every hotel is located around the junction of I-44 and Range Line Road (Exit 8).

  • Holiday Inn Joplin. 615 Range Line Drive, Joplin, Missouri 64804. 1 417-782-1000. ttp://www.hijoplin.com.

  • Microtel Inn & Suites Joplin. 101 Richard Joseph Blvd.. 1 417-626-8282. 47-53 (Doubles). ttp://microtelinn.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=184.

  • Sleep Inn. -44 & SR 43 S. 1 417-782-1212. 69 (Doubles).

    Contact

    Stay safe

    Most crime that occurs in the Joplin area is of the "petty" nature. The biggest crime problems in the area recently have been gas-station drive-offs (due to recent spikes in gas prices) and convenience store robberies. Violent crime is quite rare, but does occur on occasion. The "rough side of town" for Joplin is generally considered west of Main Street. Like most any place, most of the more serious crime happens in the middle of the night. Typical "common sense" will enable most anyone to avoid problems.

    Red-Light running is a growing problem. Range Line Road is notorious for motorists running red lights, especially well after it has turned red for their direction. Motorists should exercice caution, and not dart into intersections immediately when their light turns green.

    Cope

    Get out

  • '''Diamond, Missouri'''. Visit the George Washing Carver National Monument.