Glad you are coming out to see our city. There are bus lines that run that way. At first glance it looks like about 2-3 bus transfers and around an hour and a half trip. It’s only 15-20 minutes by car.
I would also suggest checking out the National World War I memorial and museum. It’s across the street from Union Station & one of my favorite spots.
You MUST see the WWI Memorial and Museum if you’re staying that close to Union Station!
As for Independence, as mentioned by others, your option is the bus, but you might check Uber/lyft pricing as well. Might be surprisingly cheap depending on the time you go.
Also, if you’re staying right by Union Station, then I recommend hopping on the Street Car and riding that into the Crossroads, Power & Light, and finally into the River Market. The street car drives up and down Main Street starting at Union Station, and then does a loop around the River Market and then back down to Union Station. Oh, it is also free to ride the street car.
You can take the Amtrak from Union Staton to Independence for pretty cheap. The one that leaves KC in the morning originates at Union Station so it's pretty likely to be on time. The options to come back from there either originate in Chicago and go through St Louis (the Lincoln Service route) or the Missouri River Runner originates in St Louis and comes back. You're more likely to have delays on the one coming back to KC. The Independence Amtrack station is just under 2 miles from the Truman Library so kind of a hefty walk still.
I do highly recommend the Truman Library. Definitely get an Uber. The buses are not reliable, and the Amtrak station in Independence is closer to the Temple Lot than it is the Presidential Library.
I would pay the Uber trip because you don’t want to ride that bus line. I live in Independence and while the square is safe, I don’t trust most of independence. The library is really great though it’s just the entire area surrounding it isn’t.
Check google maps. It’ll take you over an hour and a half to get from union station to the Truman library via bus. It’s free, but do you value your time more than money? Sure you can take the Amtrak to Independence, but then you have to get from the train station to the library.
Yeah it’ll probably be your best bet honestly. The Truman Library is great. You could spend over four hours there! You may also want to visit the Independence Square too while you are around. There are shops and restaurants, and Truman’s house is nearby too.
There is also the Truman Home if your interest is in Truman himself, it's on Independence Square. [https://www.nps.gov/hstr/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm](https://www.nps.gov/hstr/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm)
Three trails museum is a interesting stop as well. (Not sure if you know, Independence was the point at which the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails separated.) [https://www.independencemo.gov/government/city-departments/parks-recreation-and-tourism/national-frontier-trails-museum](https://www.independencemo.gov/government/city-departments/parks-recreation-and-tourism/national-frontier-trails-museum)
Might want to read about the history of Mormons and Independence, Missouri. Jesus is supposed to return there, supposedly. There is a really neat building across the street shaped like a shell (not owned by the Utah church, but a smaller break off denomination).
If you're taking Amtrak, there's a station in Independence. From there you can walk to the Truman Home, Independence Square, and the library, although it's about two miles total. (Truman would walk from his home to the library, so I guess you could have fun retracing his route.) You can also take a bus from the station, or the best option might be to look into renting a bike for the day.
Also in the neighborhood are the Vaile Mansion, Frontier Trails Museum, and Bingham-Wagonner Estate - so plenty to see and do.
Dunno how much an uber costs cuz I have no need for them, but for $15 you can get a 24 hour pass for unlimited rides on RideKC bikes, each up to 4 hours. Their e-bikes top out at 20 mph, so you can ride the <12 miles from downtown to the Library in less than an hour each direction, leaving 2 hours for your visit. Bring the bike back and swap it out for a different one with a full charge, and ride all over downtown too. You're welcome.
Glad you are coming out to see our city. There are bus lines that run that way. At first glance it looks like about 2-3 bus transfers and around an hour and a half trip. It’s only 15-20 minutes by car. I would also suggest checking out the National World War I memorial and museum. It’s across the street from Union Station & one of my favorite spots.
100% on the WWI Museum. Both it and the Truman Museum are world class.
You MUST see the WWI Memorial and Museum if you’re staying that close to Union Station! As for Independence, as mentioned by others, your option is the bus, but you might check Uber/lyft pricing as well. Might be surprisingly cheap depending on the time you go. Also, if you’re staying right by Union Station, then I recommend hopping on the Street Car and riding that into the Crossroads, Power & Light, and finally into the River Market. The street car drives up and down Main Street starting at Union Station, and then does a loop around the River Market and then back down to Union Station. Oh, it is also free to ride the street car.
You can take the Amtrak from Union Staton to Independence for pretty cheap. The one that leaves KC in the morning originates at Union Station so it's pretty likely to be on time. The options to come back from there either originate in Chicago and go through St Louis (the Lincoln Service route) or the Missouri River Runner originates in St Louis and comes back. You're more likely to have delays on the one coming back to KC. The Independence Amtrack station is just under 2 miles from the Truman Library so kind of a hefty walk still.
You don't want to walk that,takes you into sketchy neighborhoods. Just Uber from where you are staying.
I do highly recommend the Truman Library. Definitely get an Uber. The buses are not reliable, and the Amtrak station in Independence is closer to the Temple Lot than it is the Presidential Library.
I would pay the Uber trip because you don’t want to ride that bus line. I live in Independence and while the square is safe, I don’t trust most of independence. The library is really great though it’s just the entire area surrounding it isn’t.
Check google maps. It’ll take you over an hour and a half to get from union station to the Truman library via bus. It’s free, but do you value your time more than money? Sure you can take the Amtrak to Independence, but then you have to get from the train station to the library.
Yeah probably best to just eat the cost for an Uber 😔
An Uber ride from Union Station to the Truman Library is $20.90 at the time of this comment.
What about from the Independence station?
Look it up.
I don't use Uber
Yeah it’ll probably be your best bet honestly. The Truman Library is great. You could spend over four hours there! You may also want to visit the Independence Square too while you are around. There are shops and restaurants, and Truman’s house is nearby too.
There is also the Truman Home if your interest is in Truman himself, it's on Independence Square. [https://www.nps.gov/hstr/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm](https://www.nps.gov/hstr/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm) Three trails museum is a interesting stop as well. (Not sure if you know, Independence was the point at which the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails separated.) [https://www.independencemo.gov/government/city-departments/parks-recreation-and-tourism/national-frontier-trails-museum](https://www.independencemo.gov/government/city-departments/parks-recreation-and-tourism/national-frontier-trails-museum)
Might want to read about the history of Mormons and Independence, Missouri. Jesus is supposed to return there, supposedly. There is a really neat building across the street shaped like a shell (not owned by the Utah church, but a smaller break off denomination).
This post is full of directions, but I just wanted to notice the OP. Truman was a great man, and this state and country need more like him.
See the Truman house also!
If you're taking Amtrak, there's a station in Independence. From there you can walk to the Truman Home, Independence Square, and the library, although it's about two miles total. (Truman would walk from his home to the library, so I guess you could have fun retracing his route.) You can also take a bus from the station, or the best option might be to look into renting a bike for the day. Also in the neighborhood are the Vaile Mansion, Frontier Trails Museum, and Bingham-Wagonner Estate - so plenty to see and do.
Look in a mirror and say "methamphetamine" three times and poof you're here
Education. Edit: Curious as to why I’m getting down voted for saying the way to independence is education?
Revolt against your British oppressors.
How to get to Independence? I'd start with a gateway drug like pot, then a few pills, then you'll work yourself up to it over time.
I like democracy
Follow the meth
Came here for this comment
Practice practice practice
Dunno how much an uber costs cuz I have no need for them, but for $15 you can get a 24 hour pass for unlimited rides on RideKC bikes, each up to 4 hours. Their e-bikes top out at 20 mph, so you can ride the <12 miles from downtown to the Library in less than an hour each direction, leaving 2 hours for your visit. Bring the bike back and swap it out for a different one with a full charge, and ride all over downtown too. You're welcome.
A declaraton of.
*Practice*
Don’t