'''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.

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

  • '''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.
  • Do

    '''Neewollah'''[http://www.neewollah.com]

    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.

    '''Inge Festival'''[http://www.ingecenter.org/ingefestival.html]

    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."

    Buy

    Eat

  • Uncle Jack's on Penn and Main
  • Drink

  • The sports bar on Laurel St. - opposite the only movie theater in town - is open only Fri and Sat evening. It is a delightful and charming place which has seen much better days but retains much of its character.
  • Sleep

  • Microtel next to WalMart is the only decent hotel in town.
  • There are better lodging facilities in Bartlesville, OK which is around 50 mins drive down US75.
  • Get out

  • '''Elk Lake''' has camping facilities and excellent trekking trails.