'''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.