Stopped here on our way out of town. It's a fun place to stop and realize you're in different…read morestates at one time (the girls thought that was super cool). Definitely worth a stop! Only reason I gave it 4 stars is because you almost don't realize it's there and not much signage.

I've been in two states at the same time before. That's easy. I've been in the east and the west at…read morethe Royal Observatory in London https://www.yelp.de/biz/royal-observatory-greenwich?hrid=1QtILqtPjHye7oSXzIIR_w. I've not been in four states at the same time I didn't make it to the four corners https://www.yelp.com/biz/four-corners-monument-teec-nos-pos?uid=hWDybu_KvYLSdEFzGrniTw but now I can say that I've been in THREE states at the same time! Located where the Oklahoma Turnpike crosses over into Missouri and that's conveniently next to Kansas as well. It's ten minutes to get off the highway, drive around the roundabout and then go about a half mile down a dirt road. Circle around at the end and park near the big stone tower. Oklahoma and Missouri and Kansas. Pretty neat and worth the detour. Note that the road and the marker are not illuminated at night. [Review 16287 overall - 109 in Missouri - 1793 of 2021.]

My friend and I were visiting the Neosho area this past weekend and took the time to drive out to…read morethe George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, MO. We are SO glad that we did! It is an amazing place, and we had a magical experience. I thought I knew about George Washington Carver, but there was so much that I learned during our time at the National Monument. Special thanks to the park rangers who were on duty during our visit: Matthew, who greeted us as we entered and answered our many questions about what to see and do (and gave excellent directions and recommendations!); Emily, a devoted entomologist who gave us a deep appreciation for jumping spiders (including one we encountered later in our visit!); and Katie, who led us in the activity in the laboratory (thank you for your infinite patience with all of us as we worked with the materials!). We took the walking trail out to the pond on the property and were enchanted by the stone markers with quotes from Carver placed strategically along the path. He was quite the sage, with so many wise observations of his time and fellow humans. The walking path winds through beautiful woods, and there are bridges crossing the two branches of the stream that flows through the area. There are also interpretive plaques placed along the path with vignettes from Carver's boyhood (these are echoed in the Visitor Center). The path is largely accessible, but there are areas around the pond that are dirt trails through the brush, so those with limited mobility may wish to talk with the National Park Rangers on-site for their recommendations. The Visitor Center is open and welcoming, with the main exhibits on the first floor; laboratory, young people's exploration areas, and the schoolroom replica on the second floor; and further exhibits on the lower level. We participated in an activity in the laboratory making peanut milk, and (even though we were probably the oldest people in the room) it was really fun! There is a picnic area adjacent to the parking lot, shaded by trees and surrounded by open grass. We saw several families enjoying a picnic lunch as the kids romped through the open areas. By the time we'd hiked the walking trail, browsed the exhibits in the Visitor Center, participated in the laboratory activity, and shared a picnic lunch, we were surprised to discover that we'd spent almost three hours at the monument. It was such an enchanting place that we honestly didn't notice the time passing! If a visitor is pressed for time, the area could be toured in about an hour and a half, but we recommend setting aside the time to experience everything the National Monument has to offer. It is exceptionally well-designed, and we left with a deep appreciation of George Washington Carver as a scientist, educator, and humanitarian. Many, many thanks to the National Park Service for providing such a lovely place to visit, at no cost, and for the wonderful park rangers who made it such a great experience!

Very interesting national park site! I didn't know that much about George Washington Carver going…read morein and feel like I learned a lot, well done. Great layout and easy to hit all the exhibits. There's a lovely 3/4 trail as well but due to the weather we weren't able to complete that. The ranger was super nice!! Lots of interactive activities for kids, too. It's free to get in, with a small gift shop, Well worth a stop if you're in the area.

I asked a girl from here for her carthage, carthsex, and carthlocation…read more Carthage is a decent-size city just to the east of Joplin. It's sort of a suburb but it really is a town unto itself. It's not as big or diverse as Joplin but it has a similar feel and Small Town Missouri has its charm - and Carthage exudes that. I've been here several times now and I'm sure I'll be here again before long.

We LOVE little museums like this! Lots of great mineral displays. Really nice. Upstairs are some…read moremodels of mining history - what my daughter and I were completely enthralled with were vintage panoramic group photos of the miners. Literally could have spent hours here, though for the record we are super nerds. Then, there's another wing of the museum that is all about Joplin history. But as a bonus this also includes the National Cookie Cutter Museum! Who knew? Loved it here. Staff was super friendly and helpful. I think admission was $5, a great bargain!

The display of lead/zinc minerals in this museum are world class. I'm a geologist by training, and…read moreI've been to a LOT of museums, and this is one of the best single-district ones in the world. One quibble is that the display lighting and signage doesn't look like it's been changed since the 60's. I was told they were working on it. Hint: bring your own high-powered LED flashlight to illuminate the displays. It makes the specimens pop! The staff at the museum is every bit as good as the minerals. They were friendly and every question was answered thoroughly and professionally. When it was clear I was a geologist the museum's curator, Chris, took me under his wing and showed me many wondrous things. And, yes, there is a LOT more than rocks... though I have to admit I gave the rest of the museum only a cursory look. Beautiful quilts and historic displays make this a must-see attraction. Oh... and did I mention cats? The museum has two uber-friendly resident cats! Minerals and cats. What more can a person ask for!

The Officer Jake Reed Memorial Bridge carries 20th Street over the rail lines in the center of…read moreJoplin. It's was closed for repair and updates, funded by a DOT grant of $5,500,000. It reopened in 2016 and has been carrying hundreds of vehicles ever since. Simple enough with two lanes in each direction with a raised sidewalk for pedestrians on each side. There is also a tall railing to prevent people from falling (or jumping) onto the train tracks below. Quite the hero: https://www.newstalkkzrg.com/2023/09/12/joplin-dedicates-20th-street-bridge-to-honor-fallen-officer-jake-reed/ [Review 296 of 2025 - 419 in Missouri - 23858 overall]

Being a welcome center as well as a rest stop, this place should be nicer than a rest stop, and it…read moreis! They had some cute chairs by the door, Oklahoma made items, Oklahoma clothing, plus coffee, water bottle filling stations, and hot water. Outside there was even a fenced dog park for the furry friends.

It has clean restrooms, friendly people, and even an enclosed dog park…read more That's all I have to say but Yelp insists I keep writing.

What a beautiful library! We stopped by for summer reading and I was really impressed with how nice…read moreit was on both the inside and outside! The librarians in the teen and children's area were helpful and they had a lot of activities and things to see and do. We will be back soon!

I am blown away by this fabulously modern library. This isn't a 'small town' library by any means…read more It's massive, clean, and airy, with natural light pouring into the open spaces and a thoughtful design that makes it feel welcoming rather than overwhelming. Everywhere you look, there are comfortable nooks and tables with power outlets, making it super easy to settle in for work, study, or simply quiet reflection. The atmosphere is calm yet vibrant, with just enough activity to remind you that you're part of a community hub. It's the kind of place where you can lose track of time because the environment is so conducive to focus and creativity. I didn't need one of the study or work rooms today, but I was impressed by how well they're integrated into the library's layout. They offer a perfect option for anyone needing privacy, whether for a Zoom call, a group project, or uninterrupted concentration. Not just a place to borrow books - it's a destination for learning, connection, and inspiration, and I look forward to returning. [Review 1495 of 2025 - 476 in Missouri - 25046 overall]

Galena, Kansas was settled in 1877 after the discovery of lead ore that gave the town its name. It…read morequickly grew into part of the Tri-State Mining District, where lead and zinc fueled decades of prosperity before the industry collapsed in the mid-20th century. Today, Galena has reinvented itself as a Route 66 destination. With a population of about 3,000, the city highlights its mining heritage through the Galena Mining and Historical Museum while welcoming travelers with attractions like Cars on the Route, Pappy Litch Park, and the Giant Drive-Thru Shield. It's a small town that blends history with roadside Americana, offering both nostalgia and renewed energy along the Mother Road. I enjoyed my visit and look forward to a return during a warmer weather season to more properly explore. [Review 1511 of 2025 - 48 in Kansas - 25062 overall]