Overview
Independence is a small city in Southeastern Kansas with rustic rural charm, a delightfully small downtown, a large WalMart Supercenter and pretty much nothing else.
3 sights · 3 things to do · 5 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Independence
Elk City State Park
Offers boating, fishing, bird watching, and swimming as well as a system of hiking trails.
Downtown
Many small shops with rural American charm
Ralph Mitchell Zoo
Free entrance, small collection but well kept.
Riverside Park
Adjacent to the Zoo with a waterpark, toy train (tickets are just a quarter), mini-golf and excellent gardens, swings, children play areas and walking areas.
Neewollah
In October this tiny town hosts what they claim to be the largest annual celebration in Kansas: Neewollah. This 10 day festival includes no less than three parades, a carnival, live music, pumpkin contests, a local Queen…
Inge Festival
Also of note to the theatrically minded is the William Inge Theatre Festival, held in late April, which annually selects and honors a playwright whose "body of work has had a profound impact on American Theatre."
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 28°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Tulsa)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- JLN Joplin Regional Airport, Joplin — 67 mi away. Directions
- TUL Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa — 72 mi away (major hub). Directions
Take either US75N from Tulsa or Bartlesville or US169N from Tulsa/Coffeyville and then US160W.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Downtown, Riverside Park
- Lunch Eggberts
- Afternoon Inge Festival
- Dinner Down Home Country Cooking
- Evening Turbos Bar & Grill
Day 2
- Morning Elk City State Park, Ralph Mitchell Zoo
- Lunch Braum's
- Afternoon Neewollah
- Dinner El Pueblito
- Evening Uncle Jack's Bar and Grill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Chains restaurants include Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, Arby's and Taco Bell.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Take either US75N from Tulsa or Bartlesville or US169N from Tulsa/Coffeyville and then US160W.
Get around
Walk or drive - there are a few public cab services. Distances are usually small.
See
Do
Do Neewollah
In October this tiny town hosts what they claim to be the largest annual celebration in Kansas: Neewollah. This 10 day festival includes no less than three parades, a carnival, live music, pumpkin contests, a local Queen Pageant, and a production of a musical. Much of downtown is only accessible by foot during Neewollah.
Buy
Chains include Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Tractor Supply Co. There's a little strip mall by the Wal-Mart with a dollar store, shoe store, and Cato.
Downtown includes plenty of local shops, including Ace Hardware (with nick-nack section), Messengers Furniture, Twigs Floral & Gifts, and Radio Shack as well as many other shops.
Also downtown is an AT&T, US Cellular, and Verizon store - just in case you need to stop by to get your phone serviced while you're on the road traveling!
Eat
Chains restaurants include Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, Arby's and Taco Bell.
Eat El Pueblito
Great Mexican food, has been in Independence for many years with a well established reputation for good food and good service.
Drink
Sleep
There are better lodging facilities in Bartlesville which is across the state line in Oklahoma and around 50 mins drive down US75.
Stay Apple Tree Inn
Stay Microtel
Go next
- Elk Lake has camping facilities and excellent trekking trails.
Nearby
Sedan
City / town · 2 listings · 27 mi away
Dewey
City / town · 2 listings · 32 mi away
Bartlesville
City / town · 9 listings · 36 mi away
Vinita
City / town · 7 listings · 51 mi away
Pawhuska
City / town · 9 listings · 52 mi away
Miami
City / town · 13 listings · 52 mi away
Baxter Springs
City / town · 12 listings · 56 mi away
Galena
City / town · 6 listings · 60 mi away
My experience
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