Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau

The free Route 66 Walking Tour of Downtown Carthage map is the single most useful document the CVB offers. It plots the 1926-1933 alignment through downtown, marks each significant historic building around the courthouse square, lists the Boots Court Motel and other Route 66 lodging options, and includes a self-guided narrative of stops. The map is updated annually and is available in the lobby on a self-serve rack — no need to ask, just grab one.

Beyond the Route 66 map, the CVB stocks brochures for every Carthage attraction (Precious Moments Chapel, 66 Drive-In, Red Oak II, courthouse tours), the regional Maple Leaf Festival, and surrounding Jasper County destinations. They have a comprehensive map of the historic 1894 Jasper County Courthouse interior, marking the location of the Lowell Davis WPA mural and other architectural features. They also distribute Missouri State Tourism materials, Route 66 Association of Missouri maps, and brochures for other Route 66 destinations across the state.

If you have specific questions — about restaurant recommendations, accessibility considerations, photography spots, pet-friendly accommodations, or anything else — just ask. The CVB staff genuinely enjoy helping travelers, and they have institutional knowledge accumulated over decades of welcoming visitors to Carthage. They can call ahead to make reservations on your behalf in some cases, and they can give realistic time estimates for various Carthage itineraries.

The CVB building itself is one of the historic 1880s commercial buildings on the courthouse square — a two-story brick storefront with the original cast-iron facade, large display windows, and a recessed entrance. The interior has been restored to a clean, professional visitor-center look with information racks along one wall, a small souvenir display, comfortable seating, and a reception desk where staff work. There are clean restrooms (available to visitors), free WiFi, and a small water station with coffee in the mornings.

The location on the southwest corner of the square is ideal — directly across from the courthouse, walkable to all the shops, restaurants, and attractions on the square, and with easy parking on the street or in the public lots one block away. The CVB is also accessible from the parking lot via a side door for visitors with mobility considerations. The main entrance has a step up from the sidewalk, but the side door is at grade level.

Hours are Monday through Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 10am-2pm. The CVB is closed Sundays year-round and on major holidays. During the Maple Leaf Festival in October and the Christmas Lights celebration in December, the CVB operates extended hours and offers additional services like coat check and warming-station coffee.

The Carthage CVB is also a strong source of information for Route 66 destinations beyond the city itself. They distribute materials and offer recommendations for Joplin (the next major Route 66 city west, about 15 miles away), Galena Kansas (the first Kansas Route 66 town across the state line), Webb City (just east, with its own Route 66 connections), and other regional stops. If you are planning a multi-day Missouri Route 66 trip, the CVB can help you sequence stops efficiently.

They also maintain a list of current road conditions, construction projects, and detours along Route 66 in the region. This is genuinely useful information that is hard to find online in real-time — the CVB updates it weekly based on calls with local highway maintenance and other tourism offices. If a portion of historic Route 66 is closed for repairs, they will know about it and can suggest the best workaround.

For 2026 Centennial visitors specifically, the CVB has been coordinating with neighboring tourism offices to align events and promote regional itineraries. Expect special centennial maps, commemorative pin sets, themed weekend events, and possibly extended CVB hours during peak centennial weeks. Calling ahead to confirm event details and availability is strongly recommended throughout 2026.