By Jaime Bratton
Reporter
Instant Karma is a hard-to-find treasure in downtown Joplin that specializes in gourmet hot dogs and burgers. Its prices are a little on the high end, but its food is imaginative and delicious. With the ambiance of a ‘60s hipster it still manages to feel intimate and comfortable, which is perfect for a romantic evening. It is open most days until midnight.
Lazer Force is a little more on the adventurous side. It’s a large two-story laser tag center designed for strategy and ingenuity that would be perfect for a more active date. With special deals and events going on all the time (zombie night is especially fun), you always feel like you get your money’s worth. It is open most days until 11 p.m.
Roller City in Joplin is also a fun and affordable date idea. With surprisingly low prices and decent food, this hip location is perfect for the more active couple. It has loud blaring music as a theme for its skaters and holds many small races or games for prizes. It is open until 10 p.m. Tuesday and midnight Friday and Saturday. (Tuesday is discount-day)
Grand Falls is a little bit of a drive, but its serene environment and romantic setting make for a delightful hike or picnic location. There are generally fewer people there in the evenings or weekend afternoons and the beaches are usually clean, unlike most local rivers.
Doug Hall’s Log Cabin Gallery is a nice cozy little cabin with beautiful paintings of Native-American culture. Skimming over the wild-looking paintings and hearing the artist himself or his mother speak about them is almost cathartic. And with the old woodstove and old-fashioned candy jar, the room, although small, feels very welcoming and not at all cramped. It is open most weekdays and Saturday until 5 p.m.
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