GROUP TOUR PLANNER Destination Overview Located several minutes from downtown Kansas City, Independence has something for everyone. Only one of a limited number of cities with a presidential museum and library, Independence is a haven for history buffs. Harry Truman’s hometown offers a glimpse into the popular president’s life. As the beginning of the Santa Fe, Oregon and California Trails, attractions in Independence allow you to experience life as the pioneers on the trails did. With more than 20 heritage and religious sites, historic homes and mansions, modern day shopping, dining, activities and entertainment, there’s so much to see and do in Independence.
ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE:
• Harry S Truman Library and Museum • National Frontier Trails Museum • 131,972 square foot Silverstein Eye Centers Arena - Home of the ECHL Missouri Mavericks hockey, the MASL Missouri Comets indoor soccer and the CIF Kansas City Phantoms arena football teams • Numerous shopping centers and more than 200 restaurants
Geographic Description Independence is located in west-central Missouri in the center of the United States. It’s just minutes from downtown Kansas City and easily accessible off Interstate 70. With a population of 117,500 people, Independence offers a blend of hometown heritage with modern-day amenities.
QUICK FACTS:
• Minutes from riverboat casinos • 15 minutes from Kansas City Royals Baseball & Kansas City Chiefs Football Stadiums • 12 miles east of area attractions including the Steamboat Arabia Museum and the National WWI Museum. • Step-on bus guided driving tours of Historic Independence available to groups with overnight stays in Independence
Services for Group Tour Planners • • • •
Free customized itinerary planning More than 1,600 hotel rooms Complimentary welcome bags for groups with overnight stays in Independence Step-on guides and motor coach referrals Frank Buhro, Tourism Sales & Services Representative • P: 816-325-7112 | fbuhro@indepmo.org www.visitindependence.com • 112 W. Lexington • Independence, MO 64050 • USA
VISITOR EXPERIENCE CENTER First stop, the Visitor Experience Center! Housed in the Historic Truman Courthouse, the VEC has everything you need to plan your visit from itineraries, to merchandise. Tourism Specialists are on hand to create customized tours for individuals and groups. They really know how to roll out the welcome wagon. So stop by, get the lay of the land.
ATTRACTIONS 1827 Log Courthouse
Built in 1827 this wooden structure served as Jackson County’s first courthouse. It also served as a Mormon mercantile store in 1832 and Harry Truman held court here in the 1930s.
1859 Jail, Marshal’s Home and Museum
The dungeon-like cells of the 1859 Jail housed thousands of prisoners during the bloodiest time in Jackson County’s history. Hear the stories of the famous to the infamous, including Frank James and William Clark Quantrill. Experience pioneer justice in the 1859 Jail & Marshal’s Home Museum. An 1870s schoolhouse completes the site.
Adventure Oasis Water Park
This state-of-the-art water park features a lazy river, three water slides, interactive family pool, climbing wall and lap pool. The water park also offers swimming programs, water exercise, birthday party packages and organized group programs.
Bingham-Waggoner Estate
Built in 1852 and extensively renovated in the 1890’s this historical mansion contains many original furnishings and accessories. Gift shop located in carriage house. Meals and special events catering available upon request.
Centerpoint Medical Center Community Ice Rink
A secondary community ice rink at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena that holds year round public skating sessions. Learn to ice skate, play hockey, figure skate or host your birthday party. Free parking.
Chicago and Alton 1879 Railroad Depot
Built in 1879, the depot is believed to be the oldest two-story frame depot remaining in Missouri. The building was relocated to the National Frontier Trails Museum campus in 1996. The depot contains the waiting room, stationmaster’s room, and baggage room on the main floor with Stationmaster’s residence upstairs. Each of these rooms is furnished in the period circa 1879. A separate display room contains C & A artifacts.
Community of Christ Auditorium& Temple
The Temple and Auditorium serve as the international headquarters for Community of Christ, a worldwide Christian denomination with approximately a quarter of a million members. Audio tours are available at the Temple for individuals and small groups.
Harry S Truman Library and Museum
Hailed as America’s Best Presidential Museum by Dallas Morning News, the Truman Library offers theaters, a museum store, and dozens of interactive and hand-on exhibits designed for the entire family. Step into a replica of Truman’s Oval Office or test your presidential potential in Decision Theaters.
Historic Independence Square
Take a covered wagon tour or shop in over twenty specialty and antique shops. Enjoy fine or casual dining at one of the many local restaurants, see a movie or throw for a strike at the bowling alley. Or just stroll the streets retracing the steps of Pioneers to a President.
Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
Home of the ECHL Missouri Mavericks hockey, the MASL Missouri Comets indoor soccer and the CIF Kansas City Phantoms arena football teams, this 131,972 sq. ft. multi-purpose facility is available for tradeshows, conventions, concerts and other events.
Leila’s Hair Museum
Only museum in the world with over 300 framed hair wreaths and over 2,000 pieces of jewelry made out of hair, this is the only museum in the world dedicated to this art from that all but died out in the early 1900’s.
Mormon Visitors Center
Learn of the Mormons’ role in developing the West. Follow the triumphs and tragedies of these stoic early day pioneers. This center honors the past and the present, with exhibits depicting experiences of Mormon settlers in Missouri between 1831 and 1839.
National Frontier Trails Museum
Independence was the point of origin for the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe Tails. You will experience authentic covered wagons, original trail diaries, and a variety of programs that focus on Laura Ingalls Wilder. Covered wagon rides and special meals and entertainment available with advanced group reservations.
Puppetry Arts Institute
Preserving and promoting puppetry through education and entertainment for all ages, PAI features the Hazelle Rollins Museum, puppet making workshops and performances by local, national and international puppeteers. From marionettes, hand puppets, shadow puppets and rod puppets, PAI is the official world producers of Sister Mary Annette puppets used for theatre groups performing “Nunsense” the musical.
Truman Home
The Harry S. Truman National Historic Site preserves the longtime home of Harry S. Truman, the thirty-third president of the United States. Also known as the Summer White House, the home appears exactly as it was in 1982 when Bess Truman passed away. 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.
Truman Memorial Building
In 1926, this facility was erected through the efforts of Harry Truman and other civic leaders as a tribute to those who died in WWI. Renovated and rededicated in 2002, it serves as a War Memorial and community center. Included are Veterans Hall and video program, meeting and banquet space, plus an auditorium and gymnasium.
Vaile Mansion
Built by Colonel and Mrs. Harvey Vaile in 1881, the Vaile Mansion is one of the best example of Second Empire Victorian architecture in the United States. The opulent estate boasted conveniences such as flushing toilets, a built-in 6,000 gallon water tank, and a 48,000-gallon wine cellar.
WALKING & DRIVING TRAILS African-American Trail
The African-American Driving Trail has 16 sites around the greater square depicting contributions of African-Americans to the rich history of Independence. Brochures are available at the Visitor Experience Center. (Driving)
Civil War Sites of Independence
The Civil War Driving Tour showcases 15 sites around the square and eastern Independence depicting battles fought from 1862 – 1864. Brochures are available at the Visitor Experience Center. (Driving)
Missouri Mormon Walking Trail
This mile long trail features 14 plaque sites along the route depicting key early Mormon sites in Independence. Brochures are available at the Mormon Visitor Center and the Visitor Experience Center. (Walking)
Truman Walking Trail
Retrace the steps of former President Harry Truman! The Truman Walking Trial is 2.7 miles and has 43 locations around the square and neighborhoods in the National Historic Landmark District. Brochures are available at the Truman Home Ticket Center and the Visitor Experience Center. (Walking)
SPECIAL OFFERS ENHANCE YOUR TOUR WITH PERFORMANCES OR ENTERTAINMENT •Special Christmas activities and events •Horse-drawn covered wagon or sleigh rides
•First person interpreters – encounters with people of the past •Harry S Truman impersonator available •Pioneer stories accompanied by dulcimer •Covered wagon rides and special meals and entertainment available