Votes
2012 Best Small Towns in America
- 73 votes - Friendliest
- 2 votes - Most Patriotic
Description
In 2011, a tornado that could’ve destroyed Joplin only strengthened it. The experience united this community and revealed a spirit of resilience they’re now known for. The town’s adopted the motto “Rebuilding the Human Spirit,” marked by a monument and mosaic in the town’s park and exhibited at Joplin Museum and the Spiva Center for the Arts.
The Joplin Museum Complex houses five individual museums including the Sports Hall of Fame and Historical Museum, while the Spiva Center hosts three rotating galleries featuring regional and international art. Visitors can additionally take in history at Joplin Little Theatre, George Washington Carver park, Joe Becker Stadium or the Murphysburg District.
Joplin has a flare for fun food between the Candy House’s handmade sweets, Eagle Drive-In’s burgers and Big R’s Bar-BQ. For more fun, head to Route 66 Carousel Park for everything from go-karts and bumper boats to a ferris wheel and mini-golf. Check out a Joplin Outlaws Baseball game when they’re in season, too.
Joplin hosts several annual events including the Joplin Holiday Experience and Memorial Run, competitions in photography at PhotoSpiva and BMX racing at JoMoPro, and festivals like Boomtown Days with food and music and the Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center Water Festival with cardboard boat racing. See more of what Joplin has in store with these reviews!
Traveler Reviews
I moved here from upstate New York and have never looked back. I have made Joplin my home for the past 15 years. friendly, absolutely. and I love it here. you always have a friend in Joplin Missouri.<3
No place better to live and raise children. I love it.
I was born and raised in Joplin Mo, I Love my hometown!! We are a spirited community, who work hard and church and family mean all to us. The storm last year may have knocked us back it did not knock us down. We are rebuliding everyday and life will get back to a new normal eventually. We are on the historic route 66, we have alot of history and May 22 2011 will just be another page to turn in the books as well. We have a great sense of pride we are very thankful to all who helped and continue to help rebuild. But we are also humble people. This is a place where we dont just tell you, we will show you. We mean what we say and we say what we mean. Gratitude is always given. Respect is always shown. Its a GREAT PLACE TO BE.. So yes I think JOPLIN deserves this. We are the heartbeat of AMERICA :)
No matter where you go here in Joplin, the people you meet are always friendly and helpful. Whether you live here, or are just visiting, everyone is made to feel welcome. We have been very fortunate to have a wonderful group of volunteers come to our town to help in the tornado recovery and we are all very grateful for that. While it may have changed the landscape somewhat, it hasn't changed us as people. Come visit us in Joplin Missouri, you'll be glad you came.
Joplin is a very friendly town. There's several cities I've been to that are just not accommodating, the people seem very rude elsewhere compared to Joplin. Most people in Joplin hold doors for others, smile or say hello. Strangers visit in the checkout lines at the stores. People offer help if you look lost or advice if you're trying to decide on a product to purchase.