So much fun! We always have such a good time at Ocean Adventures! Place is clean, staff is friendly…read moreand my kids are always wanting to go. Take your kids! Also, the owner is incredible about giving back to the community in many different ways. This is a good business to support.

The kids and I were offered tickets here as a gift--we'd been meaning to get out this way, so it…read morewas a much anticipated visit and did not disappoint. We passed it at first; although right off of Duquesne with a streetside sign, Ocean Adventures is in a very unassuming warehouse-esque metal building. That almost sets you up for more of a pleasant surprise when you walk inside after parking in the gravel lot behind the building (technically the front). When you walk in there are cubbies and coat hooks to deposit your things. The front desk is also right there, so not a lot of concern about things being stolen. Everyone gets a wrist band as you check in, and for the more uncooperative kiddos (one of mine) an ID sticker on their back. I didn't know this when I got there, but tickets are typically purchased in advance online as they only sell 40 tickets per session to keep it enjoyable for everyone--a policy I personally really appreciate, especially with little kids. And the unbelievable part: the tickets are only $5 T-Th and $6 F-Su. (If an adult wants to play with their kiddo, they also need a ticket, but for so little that's not a big deal for us, especially compared to prices at other kids facilities in SWMO/NWA). The facility itself: amazing. Imagine the McDonalds playset from your childhood, but without the dirty sock smell, multiple stories, more slides and a bigger ball pit. It's clean and actually smells GOOD...you can go on their website and watch/read about the cleaning routine. It's pretty impressive and the condition of the facility reflects that. I also noticed the staff making rounds every so often around the play equipment, which I also appreciated. The bulk of the play equipment is made of various nets and ropes/clear plastic windows, so your kids are almost always visible, but it's nice to see that the staff are kind of monitoring to make sure everything is in order. We really loved our visit here, our 2 hours flew by and as the kids get a little older this would be a great place to bring a book and relax at a table while they play...it's one of the few places around that feels safe enough for my comfort and entertaining enough for theirs. Until then, though, I am enjoying my excuse to "have to" play in a giant ball pit.

This winery is tucked in the back roads of Pittsburg, Kansas. I have to say I've been to Pittsburgh…read moremany a times and have not had the privilege of coming here until my last visit. This winery is such a change from the small town that is about 10 minutes away from it. The staff here are warm, friendly and as bubbly as the the wine they provide to their guests. The food is fresh and made to order which is phenomenal. The prices for the wines and the foods are super reasonable. That's where the location and the place itself, the owners really did a great job with detail and making it warm and welcoming to both families, couples, and anyone looking to just relax and have some ambiance. The winery overlooks a small Lake in the back. They also have cornhole and live entertainment on some nights. There's enough space in this location to have parties and still accommodate individual guest. If you're ever in Pittsburg Kansas, you need to stop at this winery and enjoy the libations and and atmosphere it provides.

Wine is delicious. If you have been to Keltoi before, this…read moreis a whole new experience.

The bright lights of the major league big cities tend to get a lot of attention, but sometimes you…read morehave something special in your own backyard that might not be as known, but is local and it's yours. Welcome to Joe Becker Stadium, Joplin's quaint and absolutely gorgeous local ball field. As you enter, through the easy concrete entry ways (there are ramps if you need them) you will find yourself very close to the action. You'll also find plenty of sections full of box seats and cup holders if you want your own seat. There are bleachers a little down both lines and behind the left field fence as well as plenty of berm seats in right field (bring a blanket) if you want to go the GA route. I mentioned right field, which is in the spotlight here because there is a small hill past the warning track that leads up to the business behind the right field wall that is in play. Have you heard of the hill at old Crosley Field in Cincinnati? This is kind of like that, but reversed and without the impound lot in the infield. It's a really cool little quirk that unfortunately during my visit, I wasn't able to see enter into play. There are a couple of things I want to highlight... the seats, especially along the field will bring you right up to the action. This is cool, but at the same time I was sitting in Row C and had trouble following the ball if it was hit, especially on the ground because I was blocked out by the batter, catcher and umpire. I also had some issues seeing far out in the outfield. Another thing is the netting behind home plate is held up by some poles that look like are lined up as best as possible with the stairs leading to the seats. One small thing is depending on your seat you're basically just staring at the pole. Luckily nobody else was in my row so I just moved over a couple of seats, but you might keep this in mind when you're buying tickets. You also might want to sit about mid way up in the section. If you're local to Joplin, please get out and enjoy your ball park. If you're travelling, please consider stopping to visit. Joe Becker Stadium is a wonderful little field and it's worth it.

We had my son's party at Pennington Station. I cannot give them enough stars!!! The booking was…read morevery simple, the cost was extremely reasonable, especially for everything you get. The party was turn-key. We walked in and everything was done for us. They took care of the pizzas, the drinks, the cake and even the decorations. Everyone had a great time. I cannot recommend them high enough.

When I was "getting my kicks" on 66 a few years ago, I went by this museum and it was closed due to…read moreCovid. But I was recently back in town for an event and they gave everyone a free admission on one day - so of course I took advantage of it. It is somewhat divided into three parts, plus there is a large conference/meeting room. And they have a gift shop with some collectibles stuff. You can go into the mineral museum which celebrates the regional mining industry. There is also the part where all things Joplin are paid tribute upon. Within that part is the National Cookie Cutter Museum, which is small but sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. A long hallway celebrates Joplin's status as the "Crossroads of America" (one of several cities that has that title) with the meeting of Route 66 and Jefferson Highway.

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!

My niece attended Graystone School of Ballet and liked her instructors. To me that goes a long way,…read moreso I certainly can't give them a bad rating! However, I had the chance to attend 3 different events/recitals given by Graystone and the overall impression that I got was not very good. Two of the events were in a ramsackle church with shoddy production values and lackluster appeal; the third was held in the aging Taylor Auditorium at MSSU and it came off like someone's last minute effort to stage a children's production. The most senior students (in their teens) did not perform at the level I would expect from long term students of dance, although it was assured that they had been taking classes for many years. I think Graystone would be a great experience for kids who aren't seriously pursuing dance, but just want a fun extracurricular activity and self esteem boost. If your child has serious dance aspirations I'd strongly suggest you look elsewhere, even if it is more expensive!

We saw a small intimate show there last weekend and we're just in awe of what the foundation was…read moredoing. I can't wait to come back to see what it looks like when they've finished renovating. Great venue, amazing patrons and well worth the stop.

Worth stopping in, not a whole lot on display. A few old swords, some bullets, a couple rifles and…read morea uniform that's about it. They tell quite a bit about the battle that broke out there, and the guy we talked to working the front is very knowledgeable. It's not a very big place; you might be able to spend 30 minutes in there if you read everything and watched the movie... But it's free, and a free history lesson is always worth a look "IMO."

Excellent history lesson. I loved the visuals and the historian dude at the front desk was great…read more Picked up some souvenirs and learned a lot. Great job.