Independence is the fifth-largest city in the 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.

Independence is known as the "Queen City of the Trails" because it was a point of departure for the California, Oregon, and Santa Fe Trails. Independence was also the hometown of U.S. President Harry S. Truman; the Truman Presidential Library and Museum is located in the city, and Truman and First Lady Bess Truman are buried here. The city is also sacred to many Latter Day Saints, with Joseph Smith's 1831 Temple Lot being located here, as well as the headquarters of several Latter Day Saint factions.

	Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art 4525 Oak Street Kansas City, MO 64111 816-751-1278 https://www.nelson-atkins.org/ Art Collection spanning 5,000 years in neoclassical & modern galleries plus a sculpture garden.
	Harry S. Truman Library and Museum 500 W. US Hwy 24 Independence, MO 64050 https://www.trumanlibrary.org/ Research library & museum detailing the life & work of the 33rd President & his administration.
	National Frontier Trails Museum 318 W. Pacific Avenue Independence, MO 64050 816-325-7575 http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/nftm/ Museum & interpretive center exploring the history of the settlement of the American West.
	Harry S. Truman National Historic Site 219 N. Delaware St. Independance, MO 64050 816-254-2720 https://www.nps.gov/hstr/index.htm Former home of U.S. President Harry Truman, with personal artifacts, furniture & photograps.
	Vaile Mansion 1500 N. Liberty St. Independence, MO 64050 816-325-7430 https://www.vailemansion.org/ Museum is an ornate 31-room Victorian home, built in 1881, with historic furnishings.
	Adventure Oasis Water Park 2100 Hub Drive Independence, MO 64050 816-325-7843 http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/parksandrec/advenoasis City-owned facility open in summer offering water slides, a splash park, a lazy river & a pool.
	Waterfall Park 4501 S. Bass Pro Drive Independence MO 64050 816-325-7843 http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/ParksAndRec/MapDetails?i=45 Green space featuring a playground, picnic shelter & fishing lake, plus restrooms & a walking trail.
	Fleming Park 22807 SW Woods Chapel Road Blue Springs, MO 64015 316-503-4800 https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/ Fishing & boating on 2 lakes, campgrounds, native animal enclosure, soccer & model airplane fields.
	Arabia Steamboat Museum 400 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64106 (816) 471-1856 http://1856.com/ The Arabia Steamboat Museum is a history museum in Kansas City, Missouri housing artifacts salvaged from the Arabia, a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856.
	National WW I Museum and Memorial 2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 888-8100 https://www.theworldwar.org/ The National World War I Museum and Memorial is America's leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community.
	Midwest Genealogy Center 3440 S Lee's Summit Rd. Independence, MO 64055 816-252-7228 https://www.mymcpl.org/genealogy 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. MGC will remain open during the construction of a new community hall adjacent to the main building which will open late spring 2019.

Some places put out a dusty old rack of brochures and call it good. That just doesn’t cut it here in Independence. Housed in the Historic Truman Courthouse, the Independence Visitor Experience Center is a modern day mecca of free information, and free-flowing conversation. We really know how to roll out the welcome wagon. So stop by, get the lay of the land and have a cup of Joe, tea or a bottle of water. For more information or ideas of Independence Click Here!