Kansas City

[brn eyed girl]

My Mom and I will be coming down to Branson in Sept. On the way we always spend the night in Kansas City. This being the last trip we'll be taking that way for awhile we decided we should spend a couple extra days and check out some sights. We are going to go to Independence to see the Truman Library and Museum and some older home tours. We want to see Country Club plaza and possibly the Steamboat museum. We always stay at one of the hotels along the freeway across from Worlds of Fun. Can anyone tell me how the Steamboat museum is? Is it worth going to? Is there any areas of the city that two women should not go alone? Do you think 2 days will be enough time to see those 3 things? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[shis1]

I am not a museum fan, but I really liked the Steamboat Arabia! It's amazing all the 'stuff' they have on display that 'went down with the ship' and then to see the 'almost perfect condition' that much of it is in! When we were there, they had someone there showing how they do the preservation of the artifacts that are on display. In my estimation, the Steamboat Arabia Museum is a far better museum than the Titanic Museum in Branson. I would like to return to the Arabia, as I understand that they change out the displays from time to time and show different artifacts.

In Independence, be sure and make time to tour the TRUMAN HOME. I was amazed at what a 'down to earth' home it was! And I was really shocked to learn that the wallpaper had been removed from the walls, cleaned and put back on the walls ----- you see the same wallpaper that was on the wall when President Truman lived there! I haven't toured any of the other victorian homes in Independence, but the Truman Home is a gem!