The courthouse square in Independence rewards a slow walk — a shop window here, a bench in the shade there, the kind of afternoon that shouldn’t be rushed because someone’s feet gave out three blocks in. The Square’s flat, tree-lined sidewalks make that slow pace easy on a scooter, and a charged one waiting at your Independence hotel means the whole historic district — courthouse to shops to the Truman Home two blocks south — stays on the table.
Independence Square is the historic center of Independence, Missouri, anchored by the county courthouse (its core dating to the 1820s) and surrounded by a revitalized district of locally-owned shops, restaurants, an art gallery, and entertainment. It’s one of the more walkable historic districts in the East Metro — quaint, tree-lined streets and a courthouse-centered layout that’s easy to navigate on foot or by scooter.
How We Serve Independence Square Visitors
Scooter delivery lands at your Independence-area hotel ahead of check-in. The Square sits close to the branded hotel cluster serving Independence, with a short drive or rideshare to the district.
About the Square
- The Truman Courthouse — the historic centerpiece, with a core dating to the 1820s, now home to a visitor’s center staffed by Independence volunteers
- Locally-owned shops and dining — boutiques, restaurants, and an art gallery fill the surrounding blocks
- Entertainment — includes bowling and other local attractions layered into the historic district
- Walkable layout — flat, tree-lined streets radiating from the courthouse
Accessibility
Flat sidewalks and curb cuts throughout the district make Independence Square genuinely walkable on a scooter or wheelchair. Individual shops and restaurants occupy a mix of historic and newer buildings, so accessibility at any one specific destination can vary — worth a quick call ahead if step-free entry to a particular business matters for your visit.
Pairing the Visit
With the Truman Home — the National Park Service-operated Truman residence sits about two blocks south of the Square, with accessible interior tours available.
With the Truman Presidential Library and Museum — a short drive away, and the most common full-day pairing for Independence visitors. See our Truman Presidential Library guide.
With Cable Dahmer Arena events — for visitors in town for a hockey game, graduation, or concert, the Square makes for an easy pre- or post-event stop.