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Dine beneath the metal ceiling and among the walls decorated with pieces of local history.
Griffith & Feil Soda Fountain
The warm exterior of Jim’s at night.
Jim’s Steak and Spaghetti House
The nine-pound banana split sundae is best when shared.
The Poky Dot
Poolsmoor Prison Cantina
The original owner opened up in the Bay Area in 1920, but came to this location in 1927.
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All the United States Missouri Independence

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Independence

5 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Independence, Missouri

Updated November 30, 2025
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Unusual Attractions in Independence

Independence, Missouri

Vaile Mansion

A remarkably opulent mansion with a tragic history.

Independence, Missouri

Leila's Hair Museum

A museum celebrating the Victorian obsession with hair art.
Independence Temple.

Independence, Missouri

Independence Temple

This otherworldly church spire reaches up toward the heavens.
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Bingham-Waggoner Estate

Independence, Missouri

The Bingham-Waggoner Estate

This mansion was made famous by its colorful cast of owners and location along the Sante Fe Trail.
International Puppets!

Independence, Missouri

Puppetry Arts Institute

Learn about puppetry and get a chance to make your own puppet.
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Permanently Closed
Bird’s Botanicals

Kansas City, Missouri

Bird's Botanicals

A cave 150 feet beneath Kansas City is the perfect climate for growing 10,000 delicate orchids.
3 miles from Independence
A typical SubTropolis building.

Kansas City, Missouri

SubTropolis

The "World's Largest Underground Business Complex," a 55,000,000-square-foot city underneath Missouri.
5 miles from Independence
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Independence, Missouri

Museums 3
Architecture 2
Houses 2
Homes 2
Art 1
Hair Art 1
Puppets 1
Temples 1
Architectural Oddities 1
Sacred Spaces 1
Eccentric Homes 1
Mansions 1
Religion 1
Mormons 1
Christianity 1
Civil War 1
Trails 1
Memento Mori 1
Churches 1
Engineering 1

Independence Leaderboard

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    wants to go to The Bingham-Waggoner Estate

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    wants to go to Leila's Hair Museum

  • woodscorinne

    wants to go to Vaile Mansion

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    wants to go to The Bingham-Waggoner Estate

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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