Weekend Trip #1 to Carthage, MO
Details
Weekend trip #1 of 2026 will be May 1-3 to Carthage, MO. Carthage is in southwest Missouri and is part of the Joplin, MO metropolitan area.
HOTEL Information:
Carthage is small and does not have a lot of hotels! They are also on Route 66 and this is the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The Boots Court Motel (original Route 66 motel) is already booked. They are expecting a lot of traffic in May - June - July!
I have a block of rooms reserved at:
Days Inn Carthage
1441 W Central Avenue, Carthage
Free breakfast included
Phone: 417-358-3900
We are still working out details but the following are all options:
Friday evening: Either Red Oak II open air museum or Battle of Carthage site (location of early Civil War battle)
Also Friday evening: Route66 Drive-IN is showing Dirty Dancing and Michael (Jackson) starting at 8:20 (gates open at 7). David and Kathy have indicated they plan to go. I have to work late on Friday, but I am going to try and get to Carthage in time for the Drive-in also. Cash only - $10 each. Address: 17231 Old 66 Blvd.
Dinner Friday: Lucky J Restaurant and Arena
Sat am:
For those interested, breakfast places: Iggy's Diner or Carthage Family Restaurant (both open early on Sat & Sun)
8:30: Battle of Carthage site 1101 e chestnut st ( just east of RR tracks)
9:30: Carthage Civil War Museum 205 Grant Street
11:15: Drive to Joplin
11:45: Lunch in Joplin (Red Onion Cafe)
12:45: 8 go to Joplin Neighborhood Museum 422 S Sergeant, Joplin, (tour of 2 historic houses); 8 go to Joplin History Museum
2:15: Joplin History Museum 504 S Schifferdecker, Joplin, for those who were at Neighborhood Museum
2:45: Those who started at History Museum will go to Neighborhood museum
4:15: Travel back to Carthage
Sat night: Stone's Throw Theater (this includes dinner)
Sunday:
11:00 Historic Phelps house, 1146 Grand Ave
Before-after: no set tours, a couple ideas:
Self-led walking and driving tours of historic districts
Battle of Carthage Site, Red Oak II site
Stone's Throw Theater has a dinner show Saturday night (not history, but something to do with the St Louis Metro East Community Theater group).
To sign up for the show, see https://www.meetup.com/thursday-night-community-theater/events/313206445/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=announce_event&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2&member_id=242852914