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After touring his home, the next stop would, of course, be his Presidential Library and Museum. Begin with the short documentary film on Truman's life by Academy Award-winning director Charles Guggenheim. Then move on to the exhibits and displays. (Don’t miss the interactive exhibits where you can be "President for a day!") Then move out to the courtyard to pay your respects at the gravesites of President and Mrs. Truman. Before leaving peruse the Gift Shop and possibly take home your very own "The Buck Stops Here" plaque! Head back to the Independence Square for a late lunch at one of the many eateries. If you are feeling like a gourmet salad with a nice glass of wine, check out Ophelia’s. If you just want a handmade sandwich on freshly made bread, head to Dave’s Bakery, or if you’re thinking German Schnitzel, the Rheinland is where you need to go. After a leisurely lunch digesting not only your food, but also everything you’ve seen and heard, you’ll be ready for a little more Truman. Start by visiting The Courtroom that started Harry's political career when he served as a County Judge. Then head back to the Truman Ticket Center and grab a Walking Tour Map that retraces the route taken by Mr. Truman on one of his morning neighborhood walks. (There are inset brass plaques in the sidewalk, so you really can’t get lost.) But
By now you are probably "Truman-ed" out, so make your way back to the Inn to rest and relax awhile before making plans for dinner. Be sure and ask your Innkeepers for suggestions, or tell us what you are looking for. We can point you in the right direction and even map it out for you. (Don’t forget that Bar-B-Q at least once during your stay is mandatory! Our pick is the Smoke House.) If you do go to the Smoke House for Bar-B-Q, you may want to catch a movie after dinner at the AMC 20-Screen theater, which is behind the restaurant. Sleep Well! Day 2 Independence
Begin by heading 6 blocks East of the Inn to the National Frontier Trails Museum and learn why Independence is known as the "Queen City of the Trails." Before touring the Museum, watch the very interesting film detailing America’s expansion in the 1800s which led the pioneers West using the three great routes: the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails. Then move on to the exhibits and displays explaining what the pioneers took with them and why. (Can you imagine trying to decide what in your home you would take and everything you would have to leave behind!) And be sure and read some of the excerpts from the diaries and journals of those that made the long journey West. Reading their inner thoughts, fears and triumphs will truly give you an insight into what this trip was like. After finishing at the Trails Museum, walk across the street to the Bingham- Waggoner Estate for a tour of this magnificent home which was once owned by George C. Bingham, famed Civil War artist. (Since the home was built in 1852 along the 1846 alignment of the Santa Fe Trail, be sure and ask about the Wagon Swales found on the property in the 1990’s!) By now your tummy is probably growling, so head back up to the Square and try out another restaurant. Maybe today you’ll endeavor to meet our mayor at his favorite hangout, The Courthouse Exchange or possibly the scent of Italian sauces will overtake you and you’ll elect for Café Verona. As is true of all historical cities, the old Town Square is the heart of the community. And Independence Square is the place for historic dining, unique shopping and antique hunting. So after lunch spend some time strolling the many shops and stores on the Square. After you’ve browsed and shopped awhile, take a Covered Wagon Tour with Pioneer Trails Adventures and listen to tales of the past as you clip-clop along. Before leaving the Square,
Now that you’ve refueled, head about 8 blocks North and take an entertaining tour of the Vaile Mansion. Featured on HGTV as one of "America’s Castles" this 31 room mansion was described as "the most princely house and most comfortable home in the entire West" by the Kansas City Star Newspaper in 1881. (Psst. See how many faces you can point out... you’ll know what I’m talking about once you take the tour!) By now you are probably ready to come back to the Inn for some R&R before selecting your dining destination. Again, let your Innkeepers know if you are in the mood for a particular culinary experience! (If you like Italian, be sure and ask us about Salvatore’s. It’s the best!) If you do go to Salvatore’s for dinner, keep in mind that Cool Crest is about a mile away. There you can test both your driving skills on their go-karts and your golf skills on their miniature golf course. Sleep Well. Day 3 Independence Today,
First there is the Angel Lady; this unique gift shop has five rooms filled with over 35,000 angels from all over the world. So if you are looking for that perfect angel, it’s probably here! Then there is Leila's Hair Museum where you can view an impressive collection of hair art, from wreaths to jewelry, that was popular in the 1800s. For the artist or just kid-at-heart is the award-winning Puppetry Arts Institute. Here you can tour the puppet museum, paint a puppet head, dress it in a costume and even perform an impromptu show. Plus you get a free finger puppet! Did you know that Independence has the 2nd best genealogy library in the country? The Mid-Continent Public Library (across from the Truman Library) is a wealth of information to those wanting to search their roots. (Look out though, you could spend all day here!) Now if you’ve been here for a few days, I know you’re fascinated with the building directly across the street from the Inn and the "upside-down ice cream cone looking"
Depending on how much time you’ve spent at the above sites, you may just want to stay in town and do some shopping. Other than the Town Square, about 7 miles from the Inn is the largest, nicest Mall and shopping area in the entire metro. You can find just about anything you want in or near Independence Center. Or if you want to catch a movie, the AMC 20-screen theater is just across the street from the mall. While out by the mall, you’ll find dozens of restaurants for lunch and/or dinner. Though most tend to be of the "chain" variety, I’m sure you’ll find something to tempt your palate. Whether seafood at Joe’s Crab Shack sounds good, or a KC Strip at the Hereford House is more to your liking, or a Mexican Quesadilla at El Maguey (Our housekeeper’s personal favorite!) Come back to the Inn for another relaxing and restful night, because tomorrow, we head into Kansas City to explore! Day 4 Kansas City After another wonderful breakfast at the Inn, hop on I-70 and less than 20 minutes later you’ll be at City Market getting tickets to a must see. The Steamboat Arabia, where more than 400 tons of buried treasure recovered from a sunken 1856 steamboat awaits. Allow several hours to wander this amazing "working" museum. This unique museum reveals a true glimpse into what frontier life was like. (Be sure and pay your respects at the skeleton of the only "life" lost in the shipwreck.) Once you’ve finished at the Arabia, head South to the destination that is at the top of everyone’s list to see, the famous Country Club Plaza. This 14 block shopping and dining district includes such shops as Brooks Brothers and Gucci and such restaurants as The Cheese Cake Factory and The Melting Pot. However, the Plaza is so much more. From its elaborate architecture to its pastel tile-roofed buildings, to its intricate statues and mosaics to its sparkling fountains, it is the heartbeat of Kansas City! Spend some time walking, shopping and soaking in the essence of KC. And as you are browsing, pick out a place to enjoy a leisurely lunch. (In good weather, the Classic Cup is a good choice to people watch.) After lunch head East 2 blocks and spend the rest of the afternoon experiencing one of America's premier art institutions. The Nelson-Atkins Museum’s rich collections span the total gamut of the art world, from ancient art to decorative art to modern sculptures. And best of all, admission is free! For dinner, head back to the Plaza and try out another one of the many fabulous eateries. If you can’t decide or remember where the restaurant you wanted to dine at is, take a slow (and romantic) carriage ride around the Plaza. After dinner we suggest you take in a Blues Club (Our pick would be B.B's Lawnside Bar-B-Q, everything from the location to the décor to the staff screams Blues...and the Bar-B-Q is quite good too!) or Comedy Club. (Our choice would be the Improv Comedy Club; every night is different as the comedians play off the audience.) Come back home to the Inn and sleep deeply after your busy day! Day 5 Kansas City Next it’s
After you’ve finished at Crown Center move across the road to Union Station and see the amazing restoration job that was done to this historic building. Have lunch at either the Café or if you want to try one of Patricia’s favorite restaurants, eat at Pierponts. After lunch head south and spend the rest of the day at the Kansas City Zoo. With over 200 acres housing 1,200 animals that represent 260 species, the Kansas City Zoo is one of the finest in the country. The authentically recreated environments will fool you into believing you're actually visiting these distant continents. Dinner is up for grabs! Do you want to go to the Plaza again and see if George Brett can cook as well as he played Baseball, or maybe experience the award-winning American Restaurant at Crown Center, or if you didn’t get to Pierponts at Union Station or...There are fantastic restaurants throughout the city so it really depends on where you are or what you’re in the mood for... just let us know if we can help! Once again you’ll be ready to crawl into your warm bed and dream sweetly after this full day. Sleep well.
You could spend a full day at: For the Fun of it!
If you want to take a break from the Amusement parks, Jaegers Subsurface Paintball is located near Worlds of Fun in Kansas City’s famous underground limestone caves. With both underground and above ground playing fields, you could easily play the day away trying to "shoot" the love of your life! Hogs, Beer and Guns! Does it get any Better?!! For those of you who love beer, the Boulevard Beer Brewery Tour is something that can’t be missed. KC’s own microbrewery has taken the Midwest by storm and is in the process of branching out even further. See why and how on this very cool tour! Now I realize that a store is not normally put on an "Attractions list" but those who are familiar with Cabella’s know this is no ordinary store. For many sportsmen it is Mecca. (PS. Ladies, it’s next door to Nebraska Furniture Mart. Now you know why we put it on the "all-day" itinerary tour page!) For those that want to Raise the Stakes! Sunday should be Every Day!
The following are noteworthy Historic Churches in Independence, however they do not give "tours". So either walking or slowing driving by may be the best way to see them.
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