Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Independence (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Community of Christ Temple, and Cable Dahmer Arena. Also, be sure to include Temple Lot in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Independence (Missouri).
Table of Contents
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
Archive in Independence, Missouri. The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library and resting place of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States, his wife Bess and daughter Margaret, and is located on U.S. Highway 24 in Independence, Missouri. It was the first presidential library to be created under the provisions of the 1955 Presidential Libraries Act, and is one of thirteen presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.[1]
Address: 500 W US Highway 24, 64050-2481 Independence
Community of Christ Temple
Religious institution in Independence, Missouri. The Temple in Independence, Missouri, is a house of worship and education "dedicated to the pursuit of peace". It dominates the skyline of Independence and has become the focal point of the headquarters of the Community of Christ. The temple was built by the Community of Christ in response to a revelation presented at their 1984 World Conference by church prophet-president Wallace B. Smith. The revelation was the culmination of instructions shared over the course of more than 150 years by prior prophet-presidents recognized by the Community of Christ. Groundbreaking for the temple took place on April 6, 1990, and the completed structure was dedicated on April 17, 1994.[2]
Address: 201 S River Blvd, Independence
Cable Dahmer Arena
Arena in Independence, Missouri. Cable Dahmer Arena is a 5,800-seat multi-purpose arena in Independence, Missouri, United States. It was opened in November 2009. It serves as the home arena and administrative offices for Kansas City Mavericks in the ECHL, as well as hosts the home games of the Kansas City Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League. The arena will host more than 100 events every year, with a very large spectrum of its events including: trade shows, professional sporting events, festivals, community events, concerts and its primary tenant, Kansas City Mavericks.
The arena which is owned by the city of Independence is just southeast of the Interstate 70/Interstate 470 interchange. The privately owned Independence Center shopping center is just north of it across Interstate 70.[3]
Address: 19100 E Valley View Pkwy, 64055-6935 Independence
Temple Lot
The Temple Lot, located in Independence, Missouri, is the first site to be dedicated for the construction of a temple in the Latter Day Saint movement. The area was dedicated on August 3, 1831, by the movement's founder, Joseph Smith Jr. and purchased on December 19, 1831, by his colleague Edward Partridge to be the center of the New Jerusalem or "City of Zion" after he received a revelation stating that it would be the gathering spot of the Latter Day Saints during the last days.
The most prominent 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) section of the Temple Lot is currently an open, grass-covered field occupied in its northeast corner by a few trees and the headquarters of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), which is not considered a temple by adherents of that sect. No other structures (with the exception of monuments, markers and signposts) exist on the 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) section, although numerous important structures exist on the 63.5-acre (25.7 ha) section, such as the United Nations Peace Plaza, the Community of Christ Auditorium, the Truman Railroad Depot, the LDS Visitors Center, the Community of Christ Temple, an LDS Church stake center, and the Six Nations Tree of Peace.[4]
Address: 200 S River Blvd, 64050-3601 Independence
Truman Home
National park in Grandview, Missouri. The Harry S. Truman National Historic Site preserves the longtime home of Harry S. Truman, the thirty-third president of the United States, as well as other properties associated with him in the Kansas City, Missouri metropolitan area. The site is operated by the National Park Service, with its centerpieces being the Truman Home in Independence and the Truman Farm Home in Grandview. It also includes the Noland home of Truman's cousins, and the George and Frank Wallace homes of Bess Truman's brothers. The site was designated a National Historic Site on May 23, 1983.[5]
Address: 223 N Main St, 64050-2804 Independence
Vaile Mansion
Museum in Independence, Missouri. The Harvey M. Vaile Mansion is located at 1500 North Liberty Street in Independence, Missouri. Built in 1881 for businessman Harvey M. Vaile, it is a locally significant example of Second Empire architecture. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and designated locally in 2002; it is open to the public as a museum.[6]
Address: 1500 N Liberty St, 64050-1821 Independence
1859 Jail
Museum in Independence, Missouri. The Jackson County Jail and Marshal's House in Independence, Missouri, United States is a building constructed in 1859 to serve as a county jail for Jackson County, Missouri. It served in this capacity until 1933, when it was decommissioned and replaced with another structure. More recently, it has been restored and opened to the public as a museum. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[7]
Address: 217 N Main St, 64050-2804 Independence
Leila's Hair Museum
Museum in Independence, Missouri. Leila's Hair Museum was a museum in Independence, Missouri that displays examples of hair art dating back to the 17th century.[8]
Address: 1333 S Noland Rd, 64055-1303 Independence
LDS Visitors Center
Historical society in Independence, Missouri. The Independence Visitors' Center is a visitors' center owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Independence, Missouri. The center is situated on the Greater Temple Lot dedicated and purchased by Joseph Smith and his associates in 1831, only a few yards from the Church of Christ 's headquarters and the Community of Christ temple.[9]
Address: 937 W Walnut St, 64050 Independence
United Nations Peace Plaza
Monument in Independence, Missouri. The United Nations Peace Plaza in Independence, Missouri, was unveiled on October 27, 1997, formally dedicated by U.N. General Secretary Kofi Annan on April 25, 2003, and is described by its creators as "the only memorial in the world to those persons serving in the Peacekeeping Forces of the United Nations". The 12.5-foot statue is named "Girl with Dove" by its sculptor, Tom Corbin, and in 2003, a four-foot miniature was gifted to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
On December 11, 2006, after his final speech as Secretary-General, delivered at the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri, Annan visited the Peace Plaza for a wreath-laying ceremony.[10]
Auditorium
Building in Independence, Missouri. The Auditorium is a house of worship and office building located on the greater Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri. The Auditorium is part of the headquarters complex of Community of Christ which also includes the Independence Temple.[11]
Address: 1001 W Walnut St, 64050-3562 Independence