DAY 1: HISTORIC HOMES
2 DAYS
I ND EPEND EN CE
PARANORMAL PATH
ITI NE R AR I E S
4 Vaile Mansion
3 Vivilore
5 3 Trails Brewing
DAY 1
Historic Homes
Independence, Missouri, is in the heart of our nation’s history. Its remarkable past has led to legendary ghost stories that haunt the hallowed halls of a few local landmarks. Before your trip, contact Visit Independence to schedule investigations of the sites along our award-winning Paranormal Path. During your tours with Apex Paranormal, keep your senses sharp to determine for yourself if these spots are haunted or simply historic. 1) Check into a charming hotel in Independence, MO. Silver Heart Inn & Cottages—an elegant and historic bed & breakfast with four guest rooms and two private, on-site cottages—offers the perfect complement to your weekend. Just off the Historic Independence Square, this quaint B&B is a comfortable (and ghost-free!) place to rest after a day of paranormal tours.
2) Tap into your artistic side in the Englewood Station Arts District. The boutiques and galleries in this quaint neighborhood display an impressive selection of art. Peruse the locally owned shops to purchase unique gifts and home decor. 3) Stroll over to Vivilore, an upscale American restaurant that doubles as a boutique, for an intimate dinner. Grab a table in the lush courtyard if the weather permits, or settle into a comfortable spot inside surrounded by a curated collection of art. 4) Brave a night tour of the Vaile Mansion, a 31-room Victorian built in 1881. The fascinating stories that torment this extravagant home stem from a suspected suicide and lobotomies gone wrong. Harvey and Sophia Vaile lived in their Gothic-inspired residence until her death from an accidental morphine
overdose in 1883. Converted into a sanatorium in 1911, it housed narcotics addicts and mentally ill patients—at least three of whom tragically died during lobotomies. Experience the mansion with Apex Paranormal to get an up-close look at its unique details, including elaborate ceiling artwork, nine marble fireplaces, and period furnishings. See if you can feel the spirit of Sophia in her bedroom where she passed away. Then, keep an eye out for full-body apparitions in the basement, where shackles once held severely ill patients. 5) If your investigation wraps up early enough, end the evening with a pint of the aptly named Vaile Ale—with pineapple, orange, and mango notes—at 3 Trails Brewing on the Square. This local brewery crafts all the usual favorites, from IPAs and stouts to lagers and wheats. Don’t miss their rotating hard seltzers, ciders, and sour beers for an unexpected nightcap. I NDEP ENDEN C E I T I NER A R I E S | PA R A N O R MA L PATH