This beautiful old mansion near downtown Independence Missouri is a wonderful place to visit. Our tour was led by Madelline, who was really one of the most knowledgeable guides ever. The only negative was that the old house was a little hot in the late afternoon when we went. Other than than that we loved it.

I emailed in advance to ask if reservations were necessary, was told it wasn’t. The property is so cool, and there is a state owned trail route preserving wagon trail ruts on the back side of the estate property. Crossing a bridge in a woody area, leads to the trail from the parking lot. Taking a loop back to the lot, we approached the carriage house to start a guided tour of the house. It begins with an informative video explaining the history of the property, previous owners, etc. Our guide explained the tour is about an hour (huge house), and was really easy going and made us feel comfortable and not rushed. I was blown away by the restoration of the painting details in almost every room. Such cool, decorative detailing! And I appreciate the few sections that show what the original paint looks like aged. My favorite detail was the dog scratches on the sleeping porch doors! So neat to experience, it feels like time was frozen and you can immerse yourself in a different time. I regrettably didn’t take any photos other than the hilarious one pictured. If you have any interest in history, architecture, art, you have to give this place a visit.

We had a great time on our tour & the tour guide that we had for our group (we were split into 2 groups) was fantastic! She never made us feel like we were misbehaving (because we were & we're all over the age of 40! Lol!) and she stayed on track, as well as repeated information because some of us were either checking something else out that caught our eye or we were just talking. Kudos to the tour guides & ours MOST ESPECIALLY & although I cannot remember her name, she knows who she is! The house was beautiful & it was so Extremely cool that we could actually sit on the furniture & carefully touch historic items, to learn about the paintings & the history behind them. My personal favorite was the unfinished 3rd floor...wow!! The architecture is just phenomenal! My other favorite room was the kitchen/walk-in chiller room. Such great history. Kinda ironic that my 2 favorite places were for the servants back in the day. This was 1 of 2 things my Aunt Marsha wanted to do on her 70th birthday & thank you to the staff for helping make her day even more special.

What a hidden gem!!! My friend and I had the place all to ourselves with Steve, from the Historical Society. Steve was very informative and went out of his way to share the estate with us. Each room so nicely preserved. The chandeliers with gas and electric options were so cool. 90% of the furniture and items in the house are original to the house. A must see when visiting Independence!!

My friend and I went on the tour when the Christmas decorations were up and everything was beautiful. The guide was absolutely delightful and knowledgeable. We had a wonderful time!

Bingham-Waggoner Estate complex goes back to 1850's. The home has historical architecture, artifacts and stories that seem to come alive we we took a tour with a wonderful volunteer guide. The estate is maintained by efforts from good samaritans, volunteers and community. We attended a wedding and the ambience with lush green grand old trees, some blooming with flowers, and pleasant scents of outdoors were a treat to the senses. The interior is a little staid, could do better with maintenance and humidity control, all depending on lining up sufficient resources. Thank you for preserving this important landmark.

Very nice historic place. Thoroughly enjoyed our 12 year old tour guide! He knew his stuff, and was very good. Interesting film about the mansion also. So glad we toured this place!

What a delightful tour! My personal tour guide Sandee was lovely. So much knowledge, great stories and information. I really enjoyed the volunteers. I even made them pose for a picture! Thank you Sandee for your hospitality, you really went above and beyond. I felt so welcomed to Independence.

My husband and I did a tour this morning at the mansion. Our tour guide, unfortunately I can’t remember his name, but he was an older gentlemen dressed in period clothing. I remember him saying he attended UCM college where I also went to school. He was the absolute best! He was so knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. He has his own personal stories that were from his childhood that were interesting as well. I highly recommend going to tour this beautiful mansion. It has rich history and the best tour guide!

This big beautiful victorian Vaile Mansion is a must see! My daughter was visiting from Arizona and we had a wonderful time exploring this historical treasure. Our tour guide was the best. She had story after story about every detail surrounding the mansion and it's owners. What a lovely time we shared. ❤️

It's such a cool tour in downtown Independence. If you have a chance to go tour it you should. 30 rooms and every room has a glamorous fireplace. You will park on the street and then walk up the very pretty walkway full of flowers.

Absolutely loved it! I watched their historical walk through video on YouTube beforehand. The tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Beautiful home 😍

Sandy is an angel! We took engagement photos here and they were all so kind and accommodating. This place is STUNNING and we will definitely have to go back!

I would LOVE to give a higher review but no one ever stays there to work the open hours. I went there today an hour before close. Open sign was still up but the workers were leaving very early and locked up and left while we were walking up. This is NOT the first time this has happened. If you want to go here, I may suggest calling ahead and making sure they know they are expected to work during open hours.

Impressive creative exhibits chronologically depicting the life and events of President Harry S. Truman. Refreshes and reinforces ones knowledge of that time period in our history. There are so many important events magnified in displays that changed the world - WW II, Nuclear Bombs, UN, NATO, Israeli state. Berlin Airlift, Marshall Plan, McCarthy Hearings, etc. & gives us a better insight into HST's personal life & character. It is a wonderful museum that all the public, especially Americans, should see.

I loved seeing the reproductions of letters between Bess and Harry. The whole tour of the museum was thought-provoking and interesting. My family and I enjoyed it very much. We also visited the Truman Home nearby—it’s harder to get tickets but we were very glad we did. That tour taught us about the personal side of the Trumans. Unless your children are big history buffs, they will be bored. I recommend both places highly for kids twelve and up.

Thankfully we got to stop in just before the government shutdown began. The grounds are well kept, staff helpful and friendly. This was my first presidential library to visit and it was a great one to start with! So much historical information and artifacts to take in and appreciate.

Nice museum. The displays are well done and some are interactive. It was interesting to learn that Truman worked on site in an attached office for many years before his death and is ultimately buried at the museum. We spent a couple of hours at the museum. I think you could spend more time if you read every display. Overall it is worth the visit for fans of history and for anyone who wants to give their kids a rounded education.

What an experience! The museum is just the right size and contains some of the best immersive, interactive exhibits I have seen. My ten year old enjoyed it so much and was engaged with the variety of exhibits. He particularly liked learning about the candy bomber. The short films are amazing and help even someone who doesn’t have a vast knowledge of this era appreciate all that Truman and others were trying to accomplish. They do a good job I feel making it not feel terribly partisan, which was appreciated. Visit this presidential library then drive west 2.5 hours to Abilene and visit Eisenhowers! These libraries are doing such important work! We spent about three hours here and felt we pretty much covered it all. But do eat in advance as there is no cafeteria or food on site.

I have been trying to get to as many of these Presidential Libraries as possible. Ever since I stumbled across the first one I look for these whenever I’m traveling across the country they are an unsung look into American history, culture, and politics. I learned a lot about the 1940s and 50s and was impressed by Harry Truman’s Legacy.

I try never to miss an opportunity to visit a Presidential Library, so when I found myself in Kansas City, I took an Uber out to Independence to the Harry S.Truman Library. The permanent exhibit "An Ordinary Man, His Extraordinary Journey" was outstanding. I expected to learn about his life and the events of his presidency, and I did ... in great detail. The bonus was learning so much about the history of our country and the world in his time. I was especially fascinated by an exhibit of all the proposed programs and legislation of his 2nd term when he focused on the creation of NATO and the Marshall Plan and the post WWII United States. I spent 3 hrs. at the Library and wish I could have had 2 more to see everything.

Went to the conference center for training. Did go inside the Library and it's very nice. I would like to really check it out.

My daughter and I were there Sat. The librarian who greeted and assisted us was awesome Who knew they had posters to document history Best visit to date!

Not what I was expecting. I thought we would be able to do actual genealogy research. Instead, it leads you to books about genealogy that may be helpful to you. Plus, it was very hard to concentrate because another person was in there talking nonstop and loudly!

Absolutely beautiful library. Quiet, very clean. Historical collections are outstanding, and the displays are entertaining. Staff is knowledgeable and approachable. My special needs teenage son now comes here to study every day, (to be removed from the noise and chaos of having a toddler at home, so he can actually focus,) over several other MCPL and KCPL branches he's tried. Bonus points for being open later than any other branch we've found, every day of the week.

Loved coming here to do some family history! I meant to go for about an hour and explore, maybe use their computers a bit. I got on a computer and before I knew it, 4 hours went by. The atmosphere and staff were perfect for the vibe needed to focus and be productive.

This is a place where I can focus and concentrate without distraction. That's one big thing I'm looking for in a library. Many times, public libraries can be loud with children's programs, etc. This branch is quiet. I love being able to study and focus when I come here. It is also one of the most aesthetically beautiful libraries in the area.

Wow! This is a great resource for Kansas City area residents. A beautiful building, with outstanding employees able to help the experienced and novice genealogists with their searches. I'd recommend reserving a computer in advance to ensure you can use their online resources as well.

“The Buck stops here.” So much information! I have been to several president museums and this is definitely a better one. I especially liked going to the Truman house just one mile from the museum and touring it. Truman was there only president to not go to college, yet he was incredible in his leadership abilities. So much memorabilia and history here. A must see for those who love history!

The Harry S. Truman National Historic Site offers a unique opportunity to step into the personal world of President Truman. The home is beautifully preserved, and the 30-minute guided tour of the first floor is both informative and engaging. The park ranger shared great stories that made the experience even more memorable. Across the street, another house displays more about Truman and his family. It’s a wonderful historic site for anyone interested in learning more about this pivotal figure in American history.

This Presidential Library with spectacular. It followed the progression that developed his leadership. He was a humble servant, give me the White House more secure in the Oval Office a modest place of Presidential representation. I highly recommend, learning what real leadership is like. Interesting fact while we were there during the week leading to 4th of July 2025, that is the building where Johnson signed the bill that put Medicare in place for the American public, while the current Administration wants to dismantle Medicare and Medicaid.

This site, including the library and the original House, was a visit well worth making. I've enjoyed this. I've enjoyed the several presidential libraries I visited, and this was no exception.

Beautiful home! Very nice to be able to stop and take some photos of a historical place. Easy to navigate to and from. Parked along the street with no issues.

An amazing experience!This is definitely a must visit while in Kansas! A Beautiful Library with a lot of information about President Truman and his life and presidency.

What a wonderful experience! If your around this area this is a must see site. Tour guide was very knowledgeable.

I got the ribs with fries and the beans. 10/10 food and service. Best BBQ I have had in soo long. Can get better the some KC BBQ! The atmosphere so cool with the car as the bar! Kept my family talking.

What a treat. This ex body repair shop combines a cozy atmosphere with awesome food. Enjoy the lovely details inside and the even better food. The peas salad is phenomenal and the smoked chicken & ribs are fantastic. Don’t forget to try their BBQ sauces.

This was my first and last time. The were only about 2-3 burnt ends that were actually edible. They seem old, maybe even a couple few days old. The baked beans were good. The “cheesy” corn was ok with a lil salt. I don’t want to bother with taking it back or even calling up there. It was a $23 lesson.

Absolutely horrible. The Friday special was supposed to be pulled pork with coleslaw. No coleslaw just a wad of greasy meat on a dry bun. The bbq beans tasted burnt. My girlfriend had brisket and sausage sandwich and the brisket was burned black. It was $40 and a 20% tip to boot and it all went straight into the trash. Bl3h. Oh and when I called to tell them about it, not wanting a refund or anything just to let them know, and the girl that answered the phone, after I said all I had to say, went "huh can you reheat that". No I can't thanks for ruining date night. Guess I'll open a can of spaghettios since I blew $50 on the trash can already tonight.

Was nearby for jury duty and stoppes in here. Got the burnt end...MEATY MEATY MEATY. Not much fat so if that's your thing then get something else. The bark was great...not over seasoned. Fries were delicious and crispy. Amy was an excellent server!!! Guy let me try his catfish nuggets and those m-effers were some of the best I've ever had! They brine the fish so flavor is all through and not just in the batter. Can't wait to come back.

Food was good but took a long time to get our pick up order even though we ordered ahead of time. They missed some of our items and I didn't notice until I got home and they would have been closed/the rest of my food cold by the time I went back. They also charged for a door dash delivery fee even though I personally picked it up for myself. I love the old garage setting and the displays. Staff is also extremely friendly and keep the bar cleaned nicely.

Staff were very friendly and helpful, while the food was amazing! Thank you for the great recommendation of burnt ends.

Clinton’s Soda Fountain is a great spot for classic ice cream and phosphates. The staff is friendly, and the old-fashioned atmosphere makes it a nice place to stop with family or friends.

This vintage-style soda bar accomplishes its goal of bringing you back to the old days with its decor, sundaes, and phosphates. It doesn't go over the top trying to bring that feeling, either - it seems like it's just survived all this time and is still around. We tried the jalapeno grilled cheese, and it was about what I expected: American cheese and canned jalapenos on white bread, grilled on a panini maker or something similar. Not bad, but certainly not fancy by any means (and probably not worth the $8 or $10). I'd like to see them upgrade the ice cream brand, as they currently use Belfonte. The malt was very good, and the ice cream nachos were pretty good and an interesting idea with waffle chips and candy. I would go back and try some of the other items, like the cake shake.

always a good time here. bar hops were a delight

A historical landmark of Independence, MO. The inside reminds me of an old-school diner and has some old-fashioned candy and other merch for sale. The phosphate reminds me of the cream soda when I was younger. However, the banana split tasted like it was store-bought.

It has been awhile since I have visited a legit ice cream parlor. Got Harry Sundae with Carmel. So good. Rich and creamy. It was a special treat

We were excited to try this place out, but they were out of all the staples. No soda water, no whipped cream, no lids for cups for the floats, and I heard them say they were nearly out of milk. It definitely limited the options and made things more messy. It felt very overpriced for the experience we had. We had much higher hopes!

This is a great place to visit while walking the Independence square! The ice cream was great & several different merchandise options ( including Polly's Pop )The prices were reasonable & the staff was great! A++

We dined here for Sunday brunch. The food was excellent. Wonderful biscuits served with a berry jam, also a fruit flavored butter and then regular butter. The fruit salad was very fresh. Normally it doesn't eat fruit. He actually loved this fruit salad. I had a side salad and the salad dressing was freshly made. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Food was phenomenal. So so good. One of the best meals I've had in years. Service was great. Friendly and thoughtful staff. Manager came and checked on us a few times to make sure everything was going well with our visit. Restaurant was clean. It was a little expensive but worth it imo

I just had my wedding and wedding reception at Ophelia's this weekend! We rented the platform which was an amazing price. The food was so good and we stayed in the suite upstairs. A one stop shop of 5 star service and food. Thank you so much Stephanee & Garth and their entire staff.

Atmosphere is upscale and cozy with moody colors and lighting. Arrived for a late lunch around 3pm ordered the ($25) wygu burger on a gf bun and sweet potatoe waffle fries ($2 upcharge). They were able to accommodate my request for no bacon that comes on it. The waiter, Gill, was very polite and professional. Great place to stop on for a nice lunch!

Excellent dinner at Ophelias! We had the prosciutto wrapped shrimp with butternut and corn risotto which was wonderful. The stars of the day were the fall apple/ginger/bourbon mule and the apple cobbler dessert. Always look forward to dinner here.

We ate at the restaurant and loved the food. I got the Wagyu Hamburger and my husband got the salmon raspberry salad. The flavor profiles were delicious. We’d definitely come again.

Had dinner with my brother (his first time) at Ophelia’s. We enjoyed the atmosphere and live music. I wish the food had been better. It’s hard to pay $155 for mediocre food. Will not be back

Service was amazing. Atmosphere was pretty but too dark. The waterfall at the front door and the stain glass windows are very inviting. I wish the food had been better. We got the lunch buffet. It looked delicious and some of it was but it wasn’t that warm. Who knows how long it had been sitting there cause we never saw anyone come and check on it. The salads had a ton of dressing on them and I was shocked to see they weren’t on ice. So they were wilted. My favorite thing on the buffet was the toasted ravioli. The bread they bring to your table was delicious.

Reminds me of the classic Italian restaurants one would visit on special occasions. Cuisine portions were on spot, and the flavors were near authentic! Definitely I will be back again.

2ND UPDATE: I went to let everyone know that V's management did take responsibility for what occurred with the order below. He was kind enough and sent me a gift card for the full amount of our order and we look forward to going back and giving them another chance. This is what I call Great customer service! UPDATE: Update: My previous review was 5 stars for dining in...my experience today is now only 2 stars... Ordered today for delivery. 2 orders of Fettuccini Frutti De Mare... Each one seemed to be no more than 1/2 order, based on what is served in house... Hardly any sauce, pasta was dry and overcooked... 4 small shrimp in one and 5 in the other. I can only guess there was shredded lobster and not lobster chunks and very little at that. Not seasoned, no flavor. Each order came with one piece of Italian Rum Cake; both pieces for each order are included in when container with one of the pieces being a crumbled mess stuffed around the one full piece. You can't see it, but the rest of the crumbled up broken piece is underneath the full piece. Very disappointed after paying a premium price

NEVER AGAIN. the food experience was awful. Got a stuffed mushrooms with seafood in them. The smell alone was atrocious, but i tried it anyway. They were very rubbery and i had to spit it back out. My girl got the manicotti dish and the white sauce was extremely salty and flavorless. The dish was only luke warm. Needless to say it didnt get eaten. I ordered fried chicken. It cane out piping hot. But it was raw and pooling blood. The gravy on the mashed potatoes was the same as what was on the manicotti. Disgusting. None of it got eaten either. On a positive note. The brown bread they gave was delicious and was the only thing we ate. The prices are very high for what they serve. Avoid at all costs. The only good part about the meal was that the manager comped it.

Our dinner was so good! We were served quickly and had the absolute sweetest waitress, Natalie. She was the best!! We had prime rib, seafood Alfredo, toasted provolone, spaghetti, salads and rum cake. Everything was delicious, fresh and nice atmosphere. Will definitely go back next time we are in town!!

Absolutely Perfect Experience – 10 Stars! We chose V's to host a rehearsal dinner, and it was an absolutely perfect experience from start to finish. We were planning this from out of town, but Greg made everything so easy—and I have to say, they are very reasonable as well. The food was absolutely delicious! The exceptional staff went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly and that our guests felt welcomed and cared for. The atmosphere was warm, elegant, and ideal for such a special occasion. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate. Thank you, V’s, for making our evening unforgettable!

Idk how this place has good reviews. I’ve always heard great things and it was awful. Kinda makes sense for the area that it’s in. Spent 85 on some of the most mediocre Italian food. For that price you might as well take your lady somewhere memorable and delicious. I got some stale bread and a salad just thrown on a tiny plate with whole tomatoes and a hand full of sprinkle mozzarella-cheese on top. And the food was bland and the chicken I had was raw and freezer tasting in the middle. Me and my wife both were excited about our date night and went home disappointed.

This is a laid back pizza joint with lots of great combinations. I went with small personal size of the supreme pizza with peppers, mushrooms, and three types of meat. The dough is thicker, more substantial than a thin crust and is really filling. Square Pizza lives up to its name because they bake their pizzas in a square pan and are a great option in the sleepy town square.

Food is great. Big portions, and the cheese pull on both the calzone and the regular pizzas was insane.

Ordered sausage,olive,and cheese pizza…a little undercooked for my taste…flavor was bold on the olives…not a terrible pizza but there is better out there…wait time is 20 min in my case..everything cooked to order…Greek salad was amazing…if your in the area and want pizza this will do…

First time in. Counter serve. Once the order was placed it was hard to find someone. Only 1 fork available. The pizza wasn’t great. We didn’t bother to take the leftovers.

So I’m doing door dash and you guys have me waiting 20 mins for a pizza and door dash is not happy about the wait time . At this point might as well remove door dash business with this company.

Ordered the Classic Italian (8.5/10) & a build your own sausage, pepperoni, & onion (8.0/10). Crust was good (wanted it a bit crispier) & had a good flavor. Sauce was great. Enjoyed eating pizza here. If you like a Detroit type pizza, you’ll like this place. Well done pizza square.

My half of this pizza was FANTASTIC I had the Truman. This was my first visit BUT IT WILL NOT BE MY LAST. I will be back for the hogwild next time and I saw a calzone being served and I will be having those it sure looked good but had already ordered. The service was EXCELLENT all of those employees were smiling happy young people and I do not normally say this BUT DOOR DASH WILL BEING THIS WONDERFUL PIZZA TO TOUR DOOR. That Im sure is a huge benefit