Looking for information on spots not to miss in Joplin and surrounding areas. Traveling with children and need guidance. Driving from Louisiana, through Arkansas to Missouri

You might enjoy the Roaring River State Park or the Everett Ritchie Tri-State Mineral Museum.

Have a nice trip.

The Precious Moments Chapel is near Joplin in Carthage. The most scenic places in that area are in the Northern part of the Arkansas Ozarks.

Okay, since you didn't say what exactly you wanted to do, how mush you want to do or how long you'll be staying I'm just going to throw some stuff out.
Most of the action (stores/resteraunts etc.) is on Rangeline.
Devils Den State Park (near Fayetville, Arkansas) is nice on your way up. There's always Eureka Springs, AR; Branson and that area(Silver Dollar City, Table Rock Lake), Bass Pro and Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, MO and bluff dwellers cave and canoeing in Noel, MO.
If you feel like a drive into KS Big Brutus is a local favorite (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attra...rutus.html)its a huge earth mover that you can climb around on. There are also some nice lakes around Joplin(about an hours drive)Grand lake(in OK)is nice.
There is some civil war stuff (Pea Ridge on the way up if you're really into that kind of thing). Carthage has some historic stuff as well as the Precious Moment Chapel.
wow I got a little carried away.
if you have any specific questions fire away (I grew up across the state line in KS)

ttt