Whether you’re celebrating your anniversary or a special holiday, or you simply want to show your sweetheart how much you care, scheduling a special outing or romantic rendezvous can help you make new memories and bring you together for the long haul.
Luckily, you don’t have to go far to enjoy a great date—there are a number of sweet and fun things to do in Southwest Missouri, Northwest Arkansas, Southeast Kansas, and Northeast Oklahoma area.
Nestled in the beautiful Ozark mountains, Joplin offers the perfect “homebase” for a perfect date night (or day)! We’re fortunate to have many bonding activities in our backyard, allowing you to enjoy some quality couples time while making lasting memories together. We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite creative date ideas that are sure to ignite sparks to keep the flames of love (or lust) burning bright for years to come.
Creative Excellence
Unleash your creativity AND your romantic connection at one of Joplin’s local create-and-make interactive art studios. These places offer a unique, memorable, and artistic way to bond, get out of your comfort zone and learn and practice a new skill or two.
- Create N Sip is a studio near downtown that allows guests to paint a canvas masterpiece while sipping on wine and snacks. Cheers to that!
- Firehouse Pottery on North Main Street offers paint-your-own pottery so you and your sweetie can create take home keepsakes to cherish for years to come.
- Local Color Art Gallery is a vibrant and eclectic gallery on South Main Street that hosts weekly and monthly classes for painting and other artistic mediums. Materials are included, so just bring your partner!
Night Moves
There is nothing more romantic than an evening under the stars. If you’re not one for camping or glamping, why not plan for a sunset picnic or leisurely moonlit stroll at one of the city’s beautiful public parks. Mercy Park, Cunningham Park, and Parr Hill Park all offer well-maintained green spaces, well-lit pathways, safe walking trails, and (of course) fresh air amidst the soothing sounds of nature. Bring a blanket and lounge on the grass as you admire the night sky together and have those heart-to-heart conversations you’ve been needing.
Bonus tip: Grab a coffee, tea, or delicious dessert to go to make your evening that much more sweet. These spots get our vote!
- Caroline’s Cream & Coffee is a family-owned “mom & pop” style coffee shop in the Gryphon Shopping Center that also doubles as a vintage candy store and ice cream parlor.
- Zinc Coffee on South Main Street serves premium fresh-roasted coffee and specialty drinks in a trendy and modern space.
- Joplin Greenhouse & Coffee Shop near Silver Creek is a great alternative if you’d prefer your coffee in a more “controlled” environment, but no less lush or green.
Action & Adventure
Surprise the kid-at-heart in your life with an interactive and memorable experience they’ll never forget. These options are perfect for your date who just wants to have a little friendly competition, and a lot of fun! Want bonus points? Invite a group of their friends to join the adventure with you!
- Escape Joplin is a puzzle room experience on 32nd St where participants can test their problem-solving and teamwork skills.
- Pennington Station on Virginia Avenue is an innovative and immersive arcade where gaming enthusiasts can experience cutting-edge virtual reality technology.
- Anvil Axe Co is a fun and exciting bar venue in nearby Neosho allowing daring participants to try their hand at the popular axe-throwing trend.
Bon Appetit
Joplin boasts a variety of restaurants to suit every palate and budget! Treat your taste buds to a romantic or cozy dinner at one of the area’s top restaurants:
- Undercliff Grill is a truly memorable spot to dine because it’s housed in a historic building built into a giant rock cliff (yes!) near Shoal Creek on Highway 71.
- Mythos is an elegant and upscale restaurant on Rangeline Road featuring a menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes that will take diners on an exotic culinary journey.
- Red Onion Cafe is known for their delicious sandwiches, salads, and soups and their beautiful and historic century-old building in the heart of downtown.
Show-Stopping Performances
“Dinner and a Movie” screams “Quintessential, Classic Date Night.” The following local venues provide the best entertainment for a special and meaningful night out.
- 66 Drive-In is a historic retro-style drive-in movie theater on, you guessed it—Route 66. Cuddle up under the stars enjoying a double-feature in your car with some popcorn and candy.
- Bookhouse Cinema is an independent movie theater on Broadway Street, restaurant, and pub that shows a variety of indie and grassroots films in both an indoor and outdoor setting.
- Joplin Little Theatre is one of the oldest community theaters west of the Mississippi, hosting a variety of plays and musicals showcasing local talent.
Get date-night ready at Maningas Cosmetic Surgery
Of course, you’ll want to look and feel your best before you hit the town with your S.O. Dr. Talon Maningas is a triple-board certified cosmetic surgeon offering a full range of surgical procedures for the face, breast, and body, as well as non-surgical skin treatments like Botox and fillers, anti-aging facials, Morpheus8 microneedling, and rejuvenating laser treatments.
The aesthetics experts at our Joplin Medical Spa are here to help you glow with confidence. We also offer a range of treatments for men, so you can even schedule a couples spa day to primp, pamper, and connect together.
Contact us today to learn all about which treatments and services are right for you. To schedule your consultation, call us at 417.437.0303 or fill out a form online.
Have a date idea that we missed? Let us know! We’d love to hear your input for a magical day or night on the town.