I’ve been using my NPS map to plan my wandering the past few months. The NPS.gov site is great, of course, and I love the app, but the printed map shows all the NPS sites all over the country making it easier to plan road trips.

Independence

I came to Independence to see both the Harry Truman National Historic Site and Truman Presidential Library and Museum. I also drove out to his family farm another day.

The house is by guided ranger tour only. Tickets are available first-come/first-served at the visitor center down the street. There is a good video about Harry and Bess and a few photographs, not much else. The house on Delaware Street used to belong to the Wallace family, Harry and Bess inherited it and lived here after leaving the White House.

I also visited the Noland House across the street; these were Harry’s cousins. I used the NPS app for walking tours around this house, the neighborhood with information about Harry’s daily walk, Margaret’s schools, and the farm.

I took the 90-minute “Full City Tour” with Pioneer Trail Adventures. Interesting history. I learned about the James brothers, Quantrill’s Raiders, saw some Civil War locations and heard more about President Truman and his first jobs in town, from Clinton’s Soda Fountain to the Courthouse where he was a judge. His office has been preserved and is open at limited times for tours.

Kansas City

I had visited The National WWI Museum and Memorial in the fall of 2021 when I was in KC for a couple nights but wanted to spend a little more time so visited again and really enjoyed it. There is a discount for veterans. The museum has been around since 1926 but had a large expansion in 2011 with great multi-media exhibits and videos.

There are two main sections. The first section covers 1914 to 1917, the start of the war, the alliances, and battles, prior to the US officially entering the war. The second wing covers 1917-1918, after America entered the war, the Treaty of Versailles and more.

I didn’t pay for the tower this time since I had visited previously but it is worth the slight extra cost. There are discounts for seniors and veterans.

After the museum I walked down the hill to see Union Station. I didn’t stay long but just wanted to see the beautiful building. It was hard to get in and out, however, as KC had just hosted the NFL draft. Roads and sidewalks were closed off and marked with many detours.

I had time to visit several other museums in town. The Money Museum is inside the Kansas City Federal Reserve building. They had some exhibits on the history of money, credit, a great coin collection back to pre-Revolutionary War, an interesting display of origami made with money, and more.

I spent about an hour in The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, too. So many great old toys, bringing back memories of my childhood (Seinfeld: “I miss the days when they made toys that could kill a kid”), plus lovely doll houses and amazing miniatures. $10 entry but they took my VA card for a $5 entry.

The last day in town I visited Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. Free entry but required an online ticket to be reserved. A huge amazing museum, so much artwork, paintings, sculptures, a whole wing of Asian art and more. I spent about 3 hours and rushed through. Would definitely be worth a return visit.

Saturday morning, I went down to the Kansas City Market. The market is open every day, but on Saturday they also have the farmer’s market. Dogs are allowed in the market area but not the pavilions (farmer’s market area) or the buildings; Boo and I enjoyed a walk through the area. I didn’t make time to visit the Arabia Steamboat Museum that is attached to the market but if I had more time, I would have liked to see it, it sounds very interesting.

I picked up a breakfast sandwich from one of the many, many restaurants in the market, then we walked the Riverfront Heritage Trail, over to Town of Kansas Observation Tower, and down along the river to Berkley Riverfront Park.

I also really enjoyed the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, close to my AirBNB. Dogs are not allowed in the garden area, but Boo and I walked around the park after I visited the garden.

Saint Louis

The house and grounds of Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site were just acquired by the NPS in 1989. Restored to the original appearance, they removed additions, taking out updates and repainting “Paris Green”. The house is open for ranger tours.

The 2-room stone summer kitchen and laundry, the ice house, and chicken coop are on the grounds. The stables, built by President Grant to raise horses after leaving the White House, are being used for the museum. It’s full of great information and exhibits like most NPS historical sites.

Originally owned by Julia Dent Grant’s family, the Grants bought it from them and lived here off and on before and after the war. They planned on returning here after they left the White House but lived in New York to be closer to their children.

I’ve been to Gateway Arch National Park many times. I visited both as a kid with my parents and I’ve taken my daughter a couple times when she was young. I’ve not seen it since it changed designation from a national memorial to a national park, however.

There is a large new entrance and a huge museum with lots to see, exhibits on the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark expeditions, our Indian Removal policies, and so much more. I bought tickets for the tram, then spent a couple hours with the exhibits, and Boo and I enjoyed a long walk in the park. They gave me free tickets to the new VR display.

Restaurants/Breweries

The BeLT (BLT plus a fried egg) at Daily Kitchen at the KC City Mart was very good.

BKS Artisan Ales, Kansas City, good selection and prices.

I tried Casual Animal Brewing Company my last night in Kansas City, had a couple flights, they have a wide selection. Boo was welcome inside the tap room. Lots of parking on the street.

3 Trails Brewing Company, Independence, some really good sours.

Smokey D’s BBQ, Independence, a huge, huge pulled pork sandwich and good fries, half for lunch, half for dinner. They brought out a big paper carton of pork for Boo, too. Way to much for him, too, so we both had leftovers the next day.

Smokey BBQ, Est 1971, Independence. I found this via a Google map search and chose it based on the rating. Excellent brisket and ordered a side of beans. He was out of buns so instead of a sandwich he gave me a side of slaw. All of it was absolutely delicious.

Saigon Cafe, Saint Louis. I met a local friend here, not far from my hotel so super convenient, too. I had some delicious Lemongrass Chicken and we split an order of fresh rolls with a great peanut sauce.

Urban Chestnut’s Grove Bierhall was just down from my hotel in Saint Louis so I went down the first night for a great bratwurst and their Hefeweizen, Schnickelfritz. Nice location, outdoor seating is pet friendly.

** All photos property of Lisa, not to be copied or reproduced **