The Independence center is approximately 11 miles north of Fair Park and 13 miles north of Le Clere Park Complex.
While it's always a good time to visit Independence, Neewollah might be the best time of year to tour this Kansas city. This family-friendly Halloween celebration takes place at the end of October every year and includes a full range of entertainment, with parades, a musical, live music, carnival rides, and more. Book your accommodations well in advance, as Neewollah has drawn big crowds for over 60 years.
If you're considering a summer visit instead, consider planning around the Prairie Days Festival. This annual event takes place at the Little House on the Prairie Museum and includes pioneer-inspired games, arts and crafts, a costume contest, and special guests from the “Little House on the Prairie” TV series.
Want to check the weather before you go? Summers tend to be warm in Independence, with average highs in the low 90s. Fall and spring are usually cooler, with highs in the upper 60s, while winter brings lows in the low 20s. May and June are the rainiest months of the year, and Independence receives about a foot of snow during a typical winter.
Want to double check that you're getting the best deal in town? Get the best hotel discounts and group rates in Independence.
AARP members can get discounts at the Knights Inn. This budget-friendly hotel has over 40 affordably priced rooms equipped with all the basics. All rooms include free Wi-Fi and HBO as well as conveniences like mini fridges and microwaves. With a seasonal outdoor pool and complimentary continental breakfast, this low-cost hotel checks all the boxes.
AAA members can get low rates at the Super 8 Independence. When you stay here, you'll be in the heart of Independence and seconds from U.S. 160. No matter how long you're planning to stay, you'll appreciate amenities like free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, and complimentary SuperStart breakfast. Kids under 18 stay free with adults at this Super 8, helping you get even more value from your stay.
Members of the military can save at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Independence. Whether you choose a standard room or a suite, you'll appreciate the spacious accommodations and long list of amenities. With in-room amenities like plush beds and flat-screen TVs as well as complimentary continental breakfast and guest laundry facilities, this budget-priced hotel has all your needs covered.
Searching for accommodations that hit the sweet spot between price and amenities? Check out the best value options in Independence.
Stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Coffeyville, and you'll get the best of both worlds. Whether you opt for a standard room or a suite, all 72 guest rooms include amenities like contemporary decor and free Wi-Fi. Take a dip in the indoor pool, which is open year-round, work up a sweat in the fitness center, or stop by the business center to catch up on email. In the morning, start your day the right way with the free Express Start hot breakfast. When you're ready to head out and explore, Independence is a short drive away.
Get a great night's rest without overspending your travel budget at the Sleep Inn & Suites in Coffeyville. This midrange hotel has both standard rooms and suites so you can select the ideal accommodations for your group. No matter what you choose, you'll get amenities like a mini fridge, a microwave, a coffee maker, a flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. Stay in shape in the fitness center, knock out some work in the business center, and unwind with a swim in the indoor pool. Hosting a small event in the Independence area? Book the hotel's 1,900-square-foot conference center.
Whether you're staying for a night or for a week, the Rest Full Inn is a great midrange option in Coffeyville. You'll appreciate the comfortable rooms, the seasonal outdoor pool, and the on-site restaurant. You'll find Independence and its many attractions just a short drive north from the hotel.
From art and history museums to parks and zoos, Independence has it all. If you're curious about the area's history, put a visit to the Independence Historical Museum & Art Center at the top of your must-do list. Here, you can learn about how the city first got its start as Hay Town in the early 19th century, browse artifacts from local Native American Tribes, and find out more about Independence's involvement with the oil industry. Don't miss the model log cabin, general store, or antique tools during your visit.
While you're visiting the museum, be sure to tour the art center, too. Here, you'll see over 100 works of art from local artists, along with rotating exhibitions and artist workshops.
Eager to explore more of Independence's past or have a lifelong love of the “Little House on the Prairie” book series? Take some time to tour the Little House on the Prairie Museum on the south side of Independence. Visit author Laura Ingalls Wilder's homestead, a beautifully preserved log house, and learn about life on the prairie during the late 19th century.
If you're traveling with kids, you'll also want to spend an afternoon at Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo. Adults will appreciate the vintage amusements, younger kids will have a blast on the playground equipment, and kids of all ages will love spotting the bison, llamas, tortoises, and bald eagles at the zoo.
Want to explore the Independence area's natural beauty? Spend a day at Elk City State Park, nestled on the northwestern edge of town. This 850-acre park is home to hiking and biking trails, opportunities to spot native wildlife, and swimming in the adjacent Elk City Reservoir. For the area's best fishing, head to Montgomery State Fishing Lake, where you'll find largemouth bass, bluegill, and much more.
Ready to plan your escape to Independence? Book your hotel and start designing your southeastern Kansas itinerary today.
Below are reviews of the city of Independence, KS from an actual visitor's perspective.
Independence is cool!
Elk City Lake and the zoo!
We stayed in Fredonia, Ks. Old Iron festivities were going on. The Kitchen Table restaurant was excellent.
Nice!
Independence is a nice town with a few good restaurants.
Neewollah.
Zoo. The hometown feel.
Mitchel Park Zoo.
We are familiar with Independence because we own land there so we go often. Annie Maes is awesome and so is Magnolias.