DAY 1: LOCAL CHARACTERS
3 DAYS INDEPENDENCE
PIONEERS & TRAILS
DAY 1
Discover Heroes & Villains VISIT THE SAME STOMPING GROUNDS of these famous Independence legends and learn about the rise of these notorious men.
2 1859 Jail, Marshal's Home and Museum
1) Check in at one of the many hotels in Independence, MO. Our selection of accommodations range from luxurious to comfy and historic. Whatever your needs, we are positive you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the variety of prices and amenities. 2) Begin with a tour of the 1859 Jail, Marshal’s Home and Museum to unlock the history of criminals and everyday folk in the home and cells. See where Frank James lived for six months and the home where the Marshal’s family lived, and touch the mighty limestone and tremendous iron doors guarding each cell. 3) Next, climb aboard an old west muledrawn wagon ride with Pioneer Trails Adventures. As you tour the city, your Wagon Master and local historian will share fascinating stories of Wild Bill Hickok, Quantrill’s Raiders, Frank and Jesse James, Bushwackers, and Jayhawkers.
ITIN E RA RIE S
4) Then, tour Jackson County’s first government building, the 1827 Log Courthouse where Harry S. Truman held court in the 1930s. Constructed with slave labor, the courthouse was the only one between St. Louis and the Pacific at the time the Santa Fe Trail trade began. 5) Take a break for some souvenir shopping around the Historic Independence Square. This unique district is filled with bottomless antique shops, a Scandinavian boutique, art galleries, and more. You’re sure to find the perfect item to commemorate your Independence trip. 6) From there, follow your nose to the Courthouse Exchange for some delicious, hearty comfort food. Located below street level at the Historic Independence Square, the rock walls and wooden bar and fixtures lend the bar a cozy feel. Try the burgers and fries, the fried chicken platter, or a hefty pork tenderloin. It’s all good!
3 1827 Log Courthouse
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There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.
- HARRY S. TRUMAN
3 Historic Independence Square
6 Courthouse Exchange INDEPENDENC E ITINERA R IES | P IO NE E R S & T RA I L S
I N D E P E N D E NCE ITIN E RAR IES | DISCOV E R TRU MA N
DAY 2: TALES FROM THE TRAILS
VISIT INDEPENDENCE 210 W. Truman Rd. Independence, MO 64050 (816) 325-7890, (800) 748-7323 VisitIndependence.com
DAY 2
Follow the Trails RELIVE THE HOPES AND FEARS, hardships and tragedies, despair and perseverance of trail travelers as you make your way through the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails in Independence.
1879, this two-story depot contains multiple rooms including a waiting room, station master’s room and residence, baggage room, kitchen, and parlor.
1) Start your morning discovering the excitement, challenges, and heartbreak faced by pioneers as they headed west during America’s expansion in the 1800s at the National Frontier Trails Museum. This is the only museum in the nation devoted to the three great western routes: the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails. See an award-winning film, trail artifacts, original diaries and letters, authentic covered wagons, and more.
3) For lunch, head over to the Historic Independence Square for some amazing restaurant selections. Savor traditional Mexican cuisine at El Pico Mexican Restaurant, chow down on specialty hotdogs grilled to order at Up Dog, or try an awesome pizza at Square Pizza—the options are endless!
2) Be transported back to a 1800s depot with a tour of the Chicago & Alton Depot, believed to be the only completely restored two-story train depot in Missouri. Built in
4) After lunch, tour one of the most significant historical sites in western Missouri, the Bingham-Waggoner Estate. Built in 1852, the home contains many original furnishings and accessories as well as a gift shop. The home was once owned by famed Civil War artist George Caleb Bingham. It was
also home to the Waggoner family, founders of the Waggoner Gates Mill. 5) Next, see "the most princely house and the most comfortable home in the entire west," reported by the Kansas City Times in 1882. Built in 1881, the Vaile Mansion is one of the best examples of Second Empire-style architecture in the United States. Make sure to stop in the gift shop and peruse gifts and items that depict the graciousness of the Victorian Era. 6) Finally, wrap up your day stimulating your senses and satisfying your appetite at Café Verona. Once you enter, a breathtaking view of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus captures the imagination. The restaurant’s menu will please both adventurous epicureans seeking fresh interpretations of classic dishes and guests seeking modern comfort food.
1 National Frontier Trails Museum
5 Vaile Mansion
3 Square Pizza
DAY 3
Appreciate Religious Freedom
HAVE AN EXTRA DAY or a few hours to spare? Explore Independence’s rich religious heritage and learn more about the early pioneer life of the Mormon settlers. These sites help bring to life the story of our churches’ pursuit of religious freedom in the Heartland.
1) Block an hour for a tour at the Mormon Visitors Center. The center honors the past and the present, with exhibits depicting experiences of early Mormon settlers. Enjoy the many hands-on exhibits, an educational video, a re-creation of an 1830-style cabin, and the first printing press east of the Mississippi River.