Independence, MO

Travel Guide

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum which includes heritage elements and interior views
Independence featuring a small town or village
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum showing heritage elements and interior views
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum showing heritage elements and interior views
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum featuring interior views and heritage elements

Follow in the footsteps of American pioneers and a former president when you explore the historic landmarks and museums of this Western Missouri city. 

Discover the true essence of America’s Midwest in Independence, the Queen of the Trails. Browse galleries, relax in gorgeous parks, tour national monuments and visit museums. Independence is famous as the childhood home of U.S. president Harry S. Truman. It was also once the last supplies stop for pioneer families traveling west to California, Oregon and Santa Fe in the 1840s.

Start your visit at Historic Independence Square, at the heart of Downtown Independence. Originally the center for judicial proceedings, today it is a colorful district with boutiques, cafés, fashion outlets, ice cream parlors and theaters. Historic Truman Courthouse dominates the square and is the site of the Visitor Experience Center, where you can pick up free information and plan your itinerary. Learn about notorious criminals, such as Confederate soldier Frank James, at the 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Museum.

Stroll along the Truman Walking Trail, a 2.7-mile-long (4.3-kilometer) route that passes 43 buildings, plaques and trees related to the life of Harry S. Truman. Among these are the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, Harry S. Truman Library and Museum and Truman Memorial Building. See religious landmarks frequented by Truman and his family, including the First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church.

A 10-minute walk south of the main square is Bingham-Waggoner Estate, one-time residence of artist George Caleb Bingham, with displays of 19th-century furniture, paintings and wagon swales. The nearby National Frontier Trails Museum offers an insight into life on a wagon trail. North of downtown visit Vaile Mansion, a magnificent Second Empire home open for guided tours.

Enjoy Missouri’s natural beauty at the city’s collection of over 40 parks. Choose between George Owens Nature Park, McCoy Park and Santa Fe Park Picnic Pavilion. Fleming Park is a great location for camping, fishing and water sports.

Independence is a 20-minute drive east of Kansas City. Truman Road connects Historic Independence Square with Downtown Kansas City. Get into the pioneer spirit by exploring the fascinating attractions by mule-drawn wagon tour.

Stoney Creek Hotel Kansas City - Independence
Stoney Creek Hotel Kansas City - Independence
3.5 out of 5
18011 Bass Pro Drive, Independence, MO
$129 nightly
The price is $150 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$150 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Independence. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,215 reviews)
"Only tuing that i didnt like was the not having meat on breakfast bar"

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Stoney Creek Hotel Kansas City - Independence
My Place Hotel - Kansas City East/Independence, MO
My Place Hotel - Kansas City East/Independence, MO
2.5 out of 5
20105 East Valley View Parkway, Independence, MO
$89 nightly
The price is $104 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$104 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Independence. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Room very clean. Staff friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

My Place Hotel - Kansas City East/Independence, MO
Loews Kansas City Hotel
Loews Kansas City Hotel
4 out of 5
1515 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, MO
$209 nightly
The price is $251 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$251 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kansas City. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,719 reviews)
"Beau clean"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Loews Kansas City Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Experience football fun! 4BR/2Bath Independence retreat near Arrowhead
Experience football fun! 4BR/2Bath Independence retreat near Arrowhead
Sugar Creek
Stay at this vacation home in Independence. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Kauffman Stadium and GEHA Field ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3 reviews)
Responsive Host
"Liberty, MO.was unseasonably cold (February) the week were in town. The host was very responsive when I reached out to fix drafty areas due to air conditioning units in windows Thank you."

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2025

Experience football fun! 4BR/2Bath Independence retreat near Arrowhead
Pet Friendly; Heartland Haven in Kansas City/Independence Area: Newly Remodeled!
Pet Friendly; Heartland Haven in Kansas City/Independence Area: Newly Remodeled!
Sugar Creek
Stay at this vacation home in Independence. Enjoy a water park, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Kauffman Stadium and GEHA Field ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Short but sweet stay
"We enjoyed our stay at Dale's place for 2 nights. Home is as pictures indicates - nice & quaint. Bed was comfortable. We would recommend patio furniture or chairs to enjoy the backyard more. Our dog, Duke, enjoyed the fully fenced yard. We would recommend staying here."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Pet Friendly; Heartland Haven in Kansas City/Independence Area: Newly Remodeled!
Stay near football fun! 3-Bedroom Vacation Home by Arrowhead 8 min.
Stay near football fun! 3-Bedroom Vacation Home by Arrowhead 8 min.
Independence
Stay at this vacation home in Independence. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Kauffman Stadium and GEHA Field at Arrowhead ...
7.2/10 Good! (19 reviews)
Kansas City, MO
"I needed a place close to the stadium and this fit the bill perfectly. I apparently didn’t throughly read the description that my unit was upstairs but that wasn’t a problem. I had difficulty getting the gate code to work, but Willy came right over and all was well. The place was perfect for me. ..."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

Stay near football fun! 3-Bedroom Vacation Home by Arrowhead 8 min.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Independence

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
185
5 - Excellent 30%
4 - Good
276
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
123
3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
15
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
8
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I did not spend any time there but did not observe anything that was negative

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very customer friendly

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler

Independence is a terrible place and i wish my grandmother wasn't born here.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Really didn’t do much in Independence, spent most of our time in Lees Summit which was just a few miles away.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We visited the Church of Jesus Christ visitor center and the nearby Liberty jail and we enjoyed them very much!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It's ok lots of casual eateries nearby.

Cities near Independence