Travel
A Day Out in Downtown Joplin, MO
Downtown Joplin with its historic red brick and sweeping murals is bustling these days, and it makes a great little day trip—perfect for when you’re in the mood for some shopping and dining but need a nearby change of scenery.
By Katie Pollock Estes
Mar 2020
Photo Courtesy Bearded Lady RoastersGrab something to sip at Zinc Coffee before beginning the rest of the day.
Zinc Coffee
1825 S. Main St., Joplin
Start your day sitting with a cup of joe and peering out onto Main Street from the light-flooded and charmingly Instagram-sparse dining room at Zinc Coffee. They take their espresso seriously, and it shows in the perfectly frothed capps and lattes.
Joplin Empire Market
931 E. Fourth St., Joplin
Open for about two years now and modeled after Kansas City’s River Market and St. Louis’s Soulard Market, this spot features locally made and grown produce, beer, cheese, meat and more. It’s open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Blue Moon Boutique and Sophie
613 S. Main St., Joplin, 531 S. Main St., Joplin
These two shopping stops are just a few doors away from each other. Both specialize in women’s fashion and gifts. Find Glamour Wash at Blue Moon Boutique and great shoes at Sophie.
Club 609
609 S. Main St., Joplin
Joplin’s growing food scene offers lots of dining options, but Club 609 is a classic that has been slinging great meals forever. Plus it’s located just down the block from those spots where you just shopped till you dropped, so you can easily stroll down the street to dinner.
Third Thursday
Main Street, Joplin
If you plan your trip just right, you can end the night at this community gathering filled with live music, work from local artisans, shops with extended hours and plenty of food. The event takes place every third Thursday, 5:30–8:30 p.m. from March through October.
