If you ever find yourself in need of a weekend adventure look no further than western Missouri and central Kansas.
Whether you want to take a trip back in time reviewing America’s history or watch the Kansas wheat fields being harvested in the summer, a weekend wandering trip between Independence, Missouri and Abilene, Kansas is the answer. With the two towns about three hours from each other, it makes for a perfect weekend wandering trip. Both towns have a vast amount of history with Abilene even finding its way into numerous country music song lyrics. 
Independence and Abilene are where the United States of America’s 33rd and 34th presidents called home. Harry S. Truman grew up in Independence and Dwight D. Eisenhower in Abilene. In both towns, museums highlight their hometown hero, his life, presidency, and other achievements. You do not have to be a history buff, but more a lover of the American dream while making these stops on your weekend wandering. 
The Truman museum is located in one centralized building and as you come in you go to a theatre to watch a movie about his presidency and how he took over the oval office after President Roosevelt’s passing. The museum is set up in a circle almost as you travel around through the memorabilia and war artifacts of days gone by. 
You end up at and outside courtyard where the President along with his wife, daughter and son-in-law are buried. An eternal flame flies in the wind near the back of the beautifully landscaped garden. 
Truman’s home is also nearby along with the historic square, pioneer trails, children’s attractions, shopping and other stops you can make before heading on to Abilene, Kansas. You can find out more about Independence, Missouri and what to do while you are visiting here.
The Eisenhower Presidential Museum and Library covers a vast amount of acreage with a visitors center, library, museum, Eisenhower’s boyhood home, and place of meditation where Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie are buried. You could spend hours visiting all of the sights.
A statue of President Eisenhower sits in the middle of the property almost overlooking all of the other buildings. The museum boasts the five-star general and president Eisenhower’s accomplishments in World War II and in the battle of keeping Washington in order. One special exhibit in the museum is dedicated to Eisenhower’s wife Mamie, her love for fashion and the color pink.
Though a short walk through tour, do not miss going through Eisenhower’s boyhood home to see how the family of six boys lived in such a small house. The house has the original furniture, family portraits and other items that were in the house when Eisenhower was growing up.
Along with Independence, there are other stops you can make in Abilene at museums, train rides, a theatre, shopping and restaurants to complete your weekend wandering in America’s heartland.
You can maybe even stop in at the Brookville Hotel for their famous fried chicken before heading out of town. Here you can find more information about Abilene, Kansas.
I, even as a young 20 something, found both towns and museums interesting and enjoyable so make a trip to America’s heartland on your next weekend wandering.
Have you ever been to Independence or Abilene? What did you like best?
Morgan Large loves to explore the world. She’s traveled across the United States and to 11 countries. She recently made both stops in this weekend wandering post on her travels out West.
Originally from Ohio, Morgan currently lives in Arkansas with her Australian Shepherd, Oxley. A graduate student at the University of Arkansas, Morgan’s studies are focused in agricultural communications.
Her blog, RazorBuck: A Midwestern girl living in a Southern world highlights her adventures in photography, cooking and travel.
Read more about Presidents Truman and Eisenhower:
