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.

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!

What a fun little pit stop we made here! This museum isn't just about Minerals and Rocks. We did…read moreenjoy that part and even learned several new things. However it also has a cookie cutter museum inside which is adorable! Bonus you get to take a cookie cutter home for free! So many fun things to look at and it's only $5. You could stay for hours! Highly recommend!

Always a fantastic place in Joplin to visit. Always something new to see or someone new to meet…read more I'm always greeted very kindly with the staff and volunteers. The whole facility is very clean and up-to-date. And the classes they offer are always changing and offering a pretty good variety for everyone.

Great place to see a variety of art and is always having new exhibits. They also have art classes…read morefor any age. My kids love Creation Station every Tuesday!

Just adding a few more photos from our trip to use ber village. Was an outstanding time. The…read morerestaurant had a fire right before our visit and it still looks like it's closed. We were trying to get back for the holiday lights but just not in the cards this year. Great value, excellent people.

We made a trip from CA to visit our long time friends who recently moved to the area…read more The food was freshly prepared. And very good. We had fried zucchini and calamari as an appetizer, the Ruben sandwich and fish and chips then the banana dessert with walnut ice cream. The waitress Tealy (sp?) was awesome. Very personable and attentive. We will definitely come back again.

GO! take the drive, do the day trip, GO! Beware: the medium is deceiving, it's massive and you want…read moreto see it all so give yourself ample time. The history they have here, the animals, the whole thing is just so cool To see.

I grew up coming here as a kid and thought it was so fun! Now that I'm an adult i underestimated…read morethe great amount of rich history this place provides. So much history and interesting information this place holds! This is Frank Phillips home who started up conoco Philips. Not only is his very charming log cabin open for viewing but you also have everything from an animal kid petting zoo to his airplanes and guns on display while giant bears etc are throughout the museum part as well. They put on a kids fest event every year in late June. They bring in vendors and put up inflatables , face painting, pony rides, foam parties , make your own necklaces etc. all of this is free and no extra fee just regular admission cost. Another thing they do is during the holidays they have a lights festival which appears to be just beautiful .

Wow! If you are a person who loves Precious Moments…read morefigurines, you will be filled with amazement when you see this. Also, if you are a person who has always felt a little creeped out by Precious Moments figurines, you probably will also be filled with amazement. Highly recommended this site for anyone who has feelings of any kind about Precious Moments. A little hard to find. Free (donations accepted). There is a gift shop - it was closed for inventory when we went, so that saved us money, I'm sure. The young ladies who were in the chapel to welcome us were so, so nice. It is really something special...something precious, in fact.

This was a major bucket list item of me and I finally got here! I am not a religious person but…read morethis was beautiful and moving. My mom, who passed away in 2018, was a Precious Moments collector so it was really interesting to learn about them. I will say the one disappointing thing was that the museum was closed. I knew this going in however; as I believe it was stated on their website. The staff is nice and extremely knowledgeable. They were all so helpful. This place is completely free which is always nice. I would definitely come back and would recommend.

We have visited most of FLW's significant buildings around the country so it was great to finally…read moresee his only skyscraper. I booked these tickets about a month ago knowing we would be passing through OK. Given the tours are limited to only about four people and the tour is only once per day this is essential. The price is around $20/person plus the always annoying fees. Our tour guide, Price (no relation to the original owners) did a super job weaving the story of FLW, the Price company, the community, and the creation of this building. This building is so different (and yet very similar) to FLW's other designs it was nice to have an architect as our guide. We not only saw the lower two floors but we got to the 17th-19th floors which have been restored to their original designs. Very cool. We also walked across the green to the community center designed by a FLW associate. That was also interesting. Hopefully the new owners of this building will be generous stewards of this historical treasure.

This is Frank Lloyd Wright's only realized skyscraper, randomly built on an Oklahoma prairie at the…read morebehest of an oil tycoon. This isn't a fancy site, but it's unique and, as I said, the only one in existence. Additionally, our guide, Price Connors, was amazing. Price is an architect by trade, cultured and overflowing with information. He was personable and engaging, and really brought the history and modern day story of the building and Bartlesville community alive. I took the 1.5 hour extended tour that allows access to some of the more private spaces. It was 20 dollar plus tax, and I recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time online, as tours are small, around four people. There is a shorter tour. There is also a small art gallery with local pieces and some galleries with Frank Lloyd Wright works and concepts. Bartlesville is about 45 minutes north of Tulsa and close to the area where the pioneer woman has her base of operations, so this could be a bit of a side trip. The tour also includes a tour of the nearby community arts center, which is impressive for a town this size. There is an on site restaurant and you can also stay in hotel rooms on site, which are decorated in the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Had fun! Free guided and self guided tours. The grounds are beautiful. I really enjoyed my time.read more

It is a beautiful 1800 house for sharing the History in the USA. Mr. Peel was a prominent Attorney…read morewho fight Ed for Natives Indians. The collection is not totally original, however, everything is from the same time of the period. The new owner got some objects from directly of the family had in the house. It is free!!!! Should you go!

Cool vibes and tasty affordable food! Unique spot, glad I stopped in. The chicken panini was…read moredelightful

This is the first time I've eaten here. 4 months into being moved to Parsons Kansas this is the…read morebest burger I've had in town since I've been here. Handmade fresh fresh ingredients and fresh brewed iced tea. I will be coming back again. Nice little place with arcade games nostalgia memories. Stop in here if you haven't yet, you won't be disappointed.

Kansas 01-2024 Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House on the Prarie near Independence. I was so super…read moreexcited but Tony just didn't understand! He said it was a Girl Thing!! RIGHT LADIES??? I grew up reading her books over & over again & again! I hope I wasn't the only Ingalls Nerd !!! But, to me this was one of the highlights of my trip. It was closed for the season but just being there on the farm she grew up on, near the house PA Built, it was a little overwhelming but Tony didn't understand but it was just as amazing to me as the Grand Canyon. It was on my Bucket List and I'm so glad to have been able to walk on her farm and touch her doorknob. Weird to some? But, many will understand!!! #bucketlisttriplisatony2024

A great stop for any Laura Ingalls Wilder fans. $5 admission fee for the self guided tour of the…read morereplica cabin, post office, and schoolhouse. Happy they are open for the 2025 season!