The 10 Best Things to Do in Independence, United States

January 18, 2018 Myesha Cogley

Independence is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies within Jackson County, of which it is the county seat. Independence is a satellite city of Kansas City, Missouri, and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. In 2010, it had a total population of 116,830.
Restaurants in Independence

1. Bingham Waggoner Estate

313 W Pacific Ave, Independence, MO 64050-4303 +1 816-461-3491
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 97 reviews

Bingham Waggoner Estate

Reviewed By l_slaght - Independence, Missouri

We were there for the Christmas tour on Sunday, December 3, 2017, and it was amazing. They had very knowledgeable Tour Guides, and beautiful musical entertainment. They had the three Morton Sisters, which sounded very much like the famous Andrew Sisters. Then in the room that had an organ and Steinway piano, they had a Tour Guide who could play both marvelously. The decorations were amazing also, but we were very impressed with how well everything was organized. We had our daughter and son in law from Honolulu with us, and they were most impressed with the entire operation

2. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

500 W US Highway 24, Delaware Street, Independence, MO 64050-2481 +1 816-268-8200
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Exhibits and archives relating to Truman's life and administration.

Reviewed By Ernest J - Kansas City, United States

The Truman Experience was a Blast into American History: The Artifacts Of The Truman Presidency we’re Preserved and Prestine In Originality: The Presidential Library was a small glimpse into the Presidency Of Harry S. Truman: From Grandview To Independence Missouri a Blazing History was Set to The White House: It is amazing that some of President Truman’s Family is Still alive and Survived;

3. Harry S Truman National Historic Site

223 N Main St, Independence, MO 64050-2804 +1 816-254-9929
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 394 reviews

Harry S Truman National Historic Site

President Harry S Truman took America from its traditional isolationism into the age of international involvement. Despite his power, he never forgot where he came from. Today, visitors can experience the surroundings Truman knew as a young man of modest ambition through his political career and final years as a former president.

Reviewed By deegeegirl - Des Moines, IA

The really cool thing about this was it's basically in exactly the same decoration and setting as the day Mrs. Truman passed. The woodwork in the home is amazing and to think it's about 140 years old boggles the mind. It was disappointing that you couldn't go upstairs or down. The house is almost 9000 sq ft and all you get is the main floor. The stairs are getting unstable I guess and with the number of visitors they can't take a chance of the integrity of the home or the safety of it's visitors. The home is still amazing and we loved visiting. Maybe they can reinforce and open the rest up one day. Our guide was a really nice guy. You could tell he had a passion about Truman and Independence.

4. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena

19100 E Valley View Pkwy, Independence, MO 64055-6935 +1 816-442-6100
Excellent
68%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 140 reviews

Silverstein Eye Centers Arena

The Silverstein Eye Centers Arena is a mid-size arena located just 20 minutes from downtown Kansas City. The venue opened in 2009 and has since become a premier destination for live entertainment and sports. The arena is currently home to two professional sports teams. The Missouri Mavericks, members of the ECHL and Kansas City's only pro hockey club. Also the Missouri Comets, members of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) and Kansas City's only pro indoor soccer club. Artists such as Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Alan Jackson, Chris Tomlin, Zac Brown Band, The Band Perry, Hillsong, The Fray, Chris Young, Lee Brice and many more have performed at the IEC! Located right next to the arena is the Centerpoint Community Ice Rink. This is one of the finest ice skating facilities in the Midwest offering year-round ice sports training, recreational youth/adult hockey leagues, figure skating, learn-to-skate classes and much more!

Reviewed By littlepepita - Kansas City, Missouri

While the concert itself was fabulous, the entry into the building was atrocious. We stood in line for over 30 minutes while the staff individually wanded everyone at the door. Where are the magnetometers? When the opening act started at 7:30pm, suddenly we were herded into the building without ANY security check. We were there in plenty of time, but the ridiculous wait to enter the building resulted in missing part of the opening act. Also, the seats are TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. Our seats were next to two heavyset people who needed additional space and made for an uncomfortable evening. Don't know that I would EVER return to this venue regardless of who might be performing. Also, better information regarding parking needs to be communicated prior to the event.

5. Independence Square

Independence, MO
Excellent
43%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 195 reviews

Independence Square

Reviewed By Timmer304 - Kimberling City, Missouri

The Independence Square has antiquated shops and a wonderful German Restaurant in the Rheinland. Visiting the Baptist church where Harry Truman attended as well as the United Methodist church just adjacent to the square, brought history to life. If you search extremely carefully, one can locate a Civil War marker for the Second Battle of Independence as well as the Truman Railroad Station that now handles AM-TRACK lines. The old county courthouse where Harry Truman once presided as judge was also unique. The Truman House has been visited many times before, and it is of note that this home was gifted to Bess by her family. The tall Mormon Pinnacle reaching upward into the sky was an interesting site, even for those of us that do not believe that Christ will descend this structure during His second coming. The old jail across the street from the Rhineland Restaurant was also of importance due to a couple of famous outlaws who spent the night there many decades ago,

6. Vaile Mansion

1500 N Liberty St, Independence, MO 64050-1821 +1 816-325-7430
Excellent
73%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 121 reviews

Vaile Mansion

Reviewed By Jeff F

Years ago, I visited and purchased my mom (maiden name 'Vaile') a lifetime membership to the Mansion's Historic Society. Since that time, I've served as a diplomat in numerous European cities, marrying a Viennese Austrian and have finally returned today. As a lifetime Austrian, my wife was deeply impressed (no small feat given the rich Austrian Hungarian history). This mansion is a hidden gem of US history and we are blessed to know so many volunteers work tirelessly to keep it in mint condition.

Personally, I was moved, knowing that, while the owner was quite a distant relative, this somehow has ties to my family's past.

If you're in the area, there are many worse ways to spend $6 and a few hours. Please consider visiting and enjoying some wonderful Midwestern History.

7. National Frontier Trails Museum

318 W Pacific Ave, Independence, MO 64050-4372 +1 816-325-7575
Excellent
38%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 139 reviews

National Frontier Trails Museum

Museum specializing in information about the historic trails that pioneers took westward.

Reviewed By eva1500 - linz

First time I saw all 4 important trails documented together which gave me a good sense what happened on which trail and why.
They show also muriels and pieces from those trails. Very impressive also what people who where on these trails wrote about in their diarys.

8. Midwest Genealogy Center

3440 S Lees Summit Rd, Independence, MO 64055-1923 +1 816-252-7228
Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5 based on 47 reviews

Midwest Genealogy Center

The Midwest Genealogy Center, the largest free-standing genealogy library in the United States, is one of the nation's preeminent destinations for researching family history, providing access to almost three-quarter of a million on-site materials, as well as free online resources. Midwest Genealogy Center features 52,000 square feet of space to house all of the free resources and technology needed to research family history whether one's relatives originated in the Midwest or across an ocean. Part of Mid-Continent Public Library, The Center offers free access to microfilm sources, microfiche records, books, directories, and online resources seven days a week and offers free classes and programs throughout the year.

Reviewed By Pbaglaw - Independence, Missouri, United States

Early morning and time to vote. Arrived two hours before the opeing and visited with a bunch of fellow citizens. Great experience.

9. Independence Visitors' Center

937 W Walnut St, Independence, MO 64050-3646 +1 816-836-3466
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 45 reviews

Independence Visitors' Center

Reviewed By alley_cat00

Independence has a lot of historical significance in the Mormon (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) religion. The visitor center serves as a hub of information about the history of the area and also the fundamental beliefs of the religion. The entire center is operated by volunteer missionary who are very kind and would love to share the message of their religion with you. It is a well maintained and nicely presented presentation but those who are not Mormon need to understand what they are walking into :) They WILL invite you to learn more but will not pressure you into anything. If you have ever been curious about Mormons, this is a good place to start.

10. The Noland Home

216 N Delaware St, Independence, MO 64050-2633 +1 816-254-2720
Excellent
38%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 49 reviews

The Noland Home

Reviewed By happysmoke - Richmond, Virginia

Didn't realize until we did the tour of President Truman how the Noland home ties into it. Very interesting. I especially loved the "window to the future" YOu have to go to understand.

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