06/18/2026
Think you know Joplin? Think again! I'm letting you in on a few of our city's best-kept secrets. These are the spots that locals love. Ready to uncover the hidden gems?
🌊 Missouri's widest continuously flowing waterfall: Grand Falls. It's especially beautiful after a good rain and makes a great spot for photos, picnics, or cooling off in the creek.
🥾 Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center – One of the few remaining chert glade ecosystems in the world, with scenic trails and river views. Many locals consider it one of Joplin's best-kept secrets.
🍫 Candy House Gourmet – A nostalgic candy shop known for handmade chocolates. It's a favorite for gifts and sweet treats.
🚂 All Aboard Ice Cream – A fun little ice cream spot where you can enjoy your treat in a train car.
📚 Changing Hands Book Shoppe – An independent bookstore and game shop beloved by generations of Joplin residents.
🍽️ Red Onion Cafe – A downtown favorite that many visitors miss. It has been serving Joplin since 1995 and offers everything from sandwiches to steaks.
🍻 Undercliff Grill & Bar – Built against a bluff outside town, giving it a unique atmosphere and a lot of history.
🔫 Bonnie & Clyde Garage Apartment – One of the most significant surviving sites connected to the infamous outlaws, open periodically for tours by appointment.
🎨 George A. Spiva Center for the Arts – A free art center downtown with rotating exhibits and classes.
Locals also rave about favorites like Joplin Greenhouse, Pineapple Bliss, Beard Engine Brewing (in nearby Alba), and the peaceful overlook at Reddings Mill Bridge.
