Retire and Be Active in Poplar Bluff
by Angela White
Missouri is a beautiful state and Poplar Bluff has much to offer. Poplar Bluff is centrally located in the United States. It is easy to travel here with major highways converging from north, south, east and west. International airports are just a couple hours away in St. Louis, Memphis, and Little Rock. Cape Girardeau to our east offers an air shuttle service as well. Being centrally located, we have four moderate seasons and are buffered from extreme weather. As soon as one is tired of one season, here comes the next!
Photo by Paul Davis Photography
If you love nature and the great outdoors, you are in for a treat! Poplar Bluff is surrounded by the Mark Twain National Forest, the Ozark Scenic Riverways, Wappapello Lake, Mingo Wildlife Refuge and numerous conservation areas. The many rivers and forests offer opportunities for recreation; seasonal hunting and fishing. All you need is a sense of adventure.
Stay closer to home and enjoy amenities for every age in the city parks system. Playgrounds, walking trails, tennis and organized sports like softball and disc golf. Poplar Bluff has an outdoor pool that offers lap swimming, water exercise and open swim. The Black River Coliseum Aquatic and Fitness Center offers year round swimming and a variety of exercise programs. Or enjoy a round of golf at the 18 hole Ozark Ridge Golf Course.
There are several fitness centers to match one’s needs and abilities. Indoors or out, Poplar Bluff is a great place to keep active.
There aren’t many towns the size of Poplar Bluff that can boast of number of museums and opportunities for the finer arts. The Margaret Harwell Art Museum resides in an historic home on Main Street. MHAM offers changing exhibits, a sculpture garden, community events and classes for youth and adults, too.
The Poplar Bluff History Museum is located in the Old Mark Twain School further north on Main St. It curates the history of Poplar Bluff and Butler County with Military and sports memorabilia, regional events and cultural keepsakes. Discover the history and impact of the railways at the Frisco Depot & Railroad Museum in Downtown Poplar Bluff.
Our Municipal Library offers much more than books! Patrons have access to computers, classes, tech assistance, book clubs, and community events for theatre, music and art. With a library card and smart device, one can access digital media and download from the comfort of home or on the go!
The historic Rodgers Theatre in Downtown Poplar Bluff offers music, theater and select movies. The proceeds of which are devoted to restoring the theater to its heyday condition.
The Tinnin Fine Arts Center at Three Rivers College hosts a variety of performances including the Moscow Ballet and Shakespeare. The Art Gallery is open during performances. The Center Stage productions feature community and up and coming theater students.
Recently, Paul Jackson, well known for his water color, and local artists recreated his River Dreams as a mural on an exterior wall at the Tinnin Fine Art Center. This is a must see for visitors. Mr. Jackson also offered his experience and training during a water color workshop.
Three Rivers College is a great place to start or continue ones education. Transfer programs, certificates and associations with other institutions allow students to obtain their undergraduate and graduate degree. Basketball fans enjoy watching the Raiders and Lady Raiders on the court.
Poplar Bluff offers the feel of a small town with bigger town comforts. You will find attentive customer service in Poplar Bluff’s locally owned businesses where you will make friends and purchases. Our retail options have grown to include larger franchise and big box stores, too! If you can’t find it in Poplar Bluff, you probably didn’t really need it.
Missouri’s vineyards and wineries are within driving distance to enjoy a leisurely meal and sample the fruits of their labor.
Practically speaking, Poplar Bluff has housing options from RV parking and camping to upscale, stylish homes and everything in between. There are a wide range of options for renting and properties especially design for veterans and senior living.
Healthcare is important at every age. Poplar Bluff has three hospitals, two private and a Veterans Hospital with a newly opened center for women veterans. Our hospitals and many doctors are associated with regional organizations that offer even more specialized care and diagnostic equipment. Whether one needs a family doctor, rehabilitation or skilled nursing our healthcare providers have you covered.
The people of Poplar Bluff are some of the most generous and friendly you will meet. There are many opportunities to meet others at community organizations, volunteering and faith based services.
Plan a trip to Poplar Bluff and see for yourself that we have a lovely, comfortable town in which to live at every age. See you soon!
Guest post contribution by Angela White, local Arborist and Horticulturist