101 Things to Do

1. Pick up area information and the Ottumwa map free at the Ottumwa Chamber of Commerce, 217 East Main Street, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, 641-682-3465.
2. Tour Ottumwa's antique stores, Kelly Reed Antiques, 641-682-2271, Phil Taylor Antiques, 641-682-7492, Sandie's Antique Mall, 641-683-1272.
3. Paint your own ceramic ware at Ceramic Creations, 930 Hayne Street, Ottumwa, 641-683-1272
4. Cosmic bowling, Champion Bowl Friday and Saturday nights, 9:00pm – midnight, Ottumwa, 641-682-8005.
5. Feed the geese, ducks and fish in Ottumwa Park, HWY 34 & 63, Ottumwa.
6. Skateboard, bike or rollerblade at Skateboard Park on Market Street near bridge in Ottumwa.
7. Take your picture in front of the American Gothic House, one of the world’s most recognized images made famous by Iowa artist Grant Wood . Located at 301 American Gothic Street, Eldon, 641-652-3406.
8. Plan a Pioneer Ridge Nature area and Nature Center visit. Fifteen miles of trails for hiking, biking and horse back–riding, camping, and fishing. At the center there are numerous displays and a full-time naturalist, 641-682-3091.
9. For a traditional English tea visit The Cat’s Meow Bed and Breakfast, by appointment only, 641-682-6855.
10. Plan your lunch around Friday’s ”Lunch in the Park” from June – September, 11:30 am – 1:00pm, entertainment and food for purchase, different restaurant featured each week, Central Park, 102 West Fourth St., Ottumwa.
11. Paddle boat or ride in a canoe at the Beach Ottumwa, 101 Church St., 641-682-SURF.
12. Go to the Ottumwa Public Library, genealogy and much more, 641-682-7563.
13. Ride The Rage at The Beach Ottumwa, 101 Church St., 641-682-SURF.
14. Enjoy Live After Five Friday evenings during July and August in Central Park, 102 West Fourth St., Ottumwa, call 641-682-7541.
15. Take a self guided tour of downtown Ottumwa, brochure available at the Chamber, 217 E. Main St.
16. Lots of recreation in Ottumwa Park, Hwy’s 34 & 63, walk, roller blade, bike, play basketball, baseball, volleyball, or tennis (lighted courts) in spring and summer, and ice skating in the winter.
17. Play Disc Golf at Wildwood Park, and Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa.
18. Take a self guided walking tour of the Ottumwa Cemetery, 1302 N. Court, brochure available at the Chamber on 217 East Main Street.
19. Play a round of golf at the 18-hole championship Cedar Creek Golf Course, 641-683-0646.
20. Take your family camping in Ottumwa Park, May-October, HWY 34 & 63, 641-683-0654.
21. Take a leisurely visit at the Wapello County Historical Museum, 210 W. Main St., Ottumwa (AMTRAK Depot), call 682-8676 for more information.
22. Attend Ottumwa Pro-Balloon Races held in June of each year, call 641-682-3465 for information.
23. Take in The Warriors, men’s basketball, November–March, at Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, 641 683-5144.
24. Enjoy one of the Southeast Iowa symphony Orchestra performances; 641-683-5144 for schedule.
25. Visit the annual June, Wapello County Fair, Eldon, Call 641-652-7521 for schedule.
26. Attend church service at one of the 70+ churches in Ottumwa and Wapello County. Pick up church list at the Chamber office.
27. Swim year-round in the indoor pool at The Beach Ottumwa, 101 Church St., Ottumwa, 641-682-SURF.
28. Learn the history and significance of the Airpower Museum, Blakesburg, 641-938-2773.
29. Take a drive on the Woodlands Scenic Byway, follow signs from HWY 34 west of Ottumwa at T61 to and through Blakesburg, Drakesville, Bloomfield, Troy, Keosauqua, Bentonsport, Bonaparte and Donnellson.
30. Enjoy one of the Potpourri Fine Arts Academy performances; call 641-682-5676 for schedule.
31. Take the wee ones to Open House and Children’s Story Hour every December at the Wapello County Historical society, 210 W. Main St., Ottumwa (AMTRAK Depot), 641-682-8676.
32. Bring in the Holidays at the Christmas Tree Wanderland Open House and Tour of Homes the first weekend of December in Eldon, 641-652-3103.
33. Attend the Habitat for Humanity annual Festival of Trees, weekend before Thanksgiving, Santa Claus, entertainment and more Ottumwa, call Judy Engle at 641-682-1438.
34. Eat a brat at annual Oktoberfest; enjoy the carnival and parade every October in Ottumwa, 641-682-0268.
35. Bring the kids for the annual 4-H Expo held in July, Ottumwa Park, 641-682-5491.
36. Participate in the annual Relay for Life, in July, Ottumwa, 888-636-2617.
37. Enjoy Music on the Green at Indian Hills Community College in the summer, Ottumwa, call 641-683-5144.
38. Watch the women’s Warrior Volleyball games from August–November, Indian Hills Community College, call 641-683-5144 for schedule.
39. Visit Gothic Days in June, family fun, food, games, parade and more, Eldon, 641-652-3270.
40. Enjoy the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra throughout the year, for schedule call 641-683-5144.
41. Family fun at Indian Hills Family Arts Festival, Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, 641-683-5144.
42. Go to the Car Races or ATV Races from May-September at the Wapello County Fairgrounds, Eldon. Call 641-652-3211.
43. Mall walking 8am Mon–Sundays at Quincy Place Mall, HWY 34 & Quincy Avenue, Ottumwa.
44. Take your family and walk a dog at Heartland Humane Society, 314 Fox Sauk Road, Ottumwa, 641-682-1228.
45. Watch the fireworks in Ottumwa Park on the 4th of July, HWY 34 & 63.
46. Look for a ghost at Mars Hill Church and cemetery located southeast of Ottumwa, follow Route 63 south, left onto Copperhead Road, turn right on 100th Avenue and watch for the cemetery entrance on the left side.
47. Ottumwa, Iowa souvenirs available at the Ottumwa Chamber of Commerce, 217 East Main St., 641-682-3465, and O’Hara True Value Hardware, 500 West Main St., Ottumwa, 641-682-4528.
48. Have an old fashioned barbecue in Merril Cabin at Memorial Park, Ottumwa, for reservations, 641-683-0654.
49. Work out at the YMCA, 611 N. Hancock, swim , exercise, call for more information 641-684-6571.
50. Enjoy boating on the Des Moines River, Black Hawk Boat ramp on Quincy Avenue, Ottumwa.
51. Photograph the night skyline, and the beautiful blue bridge, the Jefferson Street Viaduct, Ottumwa.
52. Take a hot air balloon ride, call Dale Dommer, 641-684-8999 for appointment.
53. Drop in’s welcome at Your Family Center, 133 W. Second St., Ottumwa, 641-682-5473.
54. Try the goodies at the Lopez Bakery Mexican Pastry, 527 Church St., Ottumwa, 641-684-6231.
55. Visit Pathfinder Leather, Old world craftsmanship, one of a kind purses, sandals, and moccasins, 641-682-3154.
56. Cross Country ski at Wildwood Park, Ottumwa, bring your own skis.
57. Garage sales? Pick up one of our newspapers, The Ottumwa Courier, Ottumwa Sun, and The Wapello Shopper, newspaper for information.
58. Take a tour of Ottumwa , see the Christmas lights in December, ride the Southern Iowa Transit, 641-682-8018.
59. Looking for comic books or other unique collectibles? Visit Spuds Emporium, Ottumwa, 641-682-9228.
60. Open 24 hours; North Hy-vee, 641-683-3341, South Hy-vee, 641-682-4516, Walmart, 641-682-1715, Ottumwa.
61. Golf? Ottumwa Country Club offers reciprocal privileges from other clubs, 304 E. Golf Ave., 641-684-4471.
62. Visit the gift section of Drug Town, unique items! 1140 N Jefferson St., Ottumwa, 641-682-7716.
63. Go see a movie at Capri Theatre, 229 E Main Street, Ottumwa, 641-682-4935.
64. Did you know there are two outside running tracks at Shafer Stadium, 900 Hackberry. Indoor track at YMCA, 611 N. Hancock, Ottumwa, 641-684-6571.
65. Play horseshoe, tennis, bike, at Riverside Park, Church Street near Beach Ottumwa entrance, 101 Church St., Ottumwa.
66. Fly a kite at Beach Ottumwa, 101 Church St., or Wildwood Park, Ottumwa.
67. Fly your radio control airplanes at the Ottumwa Industrial Airport, 641-682-8044.
68. Pick a pumpkin at the McDowell Farms, 12252 Rabbit Run Road, Ottumwa, 641-684-8303.
69. See the Veterans Memorial in Ottumwa Park, the Eagle in Central Park, sculptures at Woodland and HWY 63, water horse trough at the Amtrak Station, 210 W. Main, Ottumwa.
70. Eagle watching along the Des Moines River near the Market Street dam, South to Eldon.
71. Watch Ottumwa High School football, basketball, and baseball games, call OHS Athletic Department, 641-683-4444 for more information.
72. Check out Chief Wapello’s Gravesite in east Agency, marker on HWY 34.
73. Listen to the Ottumwa Municipal Band Concert in Central Park, Thursdays 7pm through June and July.
74. Knights of Columbus Fish & Steak Fry every Friday night year round, Chuck Bates, Manager, 123 W. Third, Ottumwa, 641-682-5695.
75. Research your family history in the Genealogy Library inside the train station, 210 W. Main Street, Ottumwa.
76. Play Miniature Golf, at 63 Super Putt, HWY 63 South, Ottumwa.
77. Play soccer on one of six soccer fields in Ottumwa; call City Parks at 641-683-0654.
78. Play a game of Bingo at Knights of Columbus Hall, 6:20 pm every Sunday and Wednesday evenings (excluding holidays), 123 W 3rd Street, Ottumwa, 641-682-5695 after 4pm.
79. Enter one of our charity walks, Race for the Cure, Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend.
80. Visit the Hobby Chest in Ottumwa for craft supplies, toys, and see lots of model trains, 641-683-4436.
81. Memorial Day Service in Ottumwa Park, HWY 63 & 34, service & band performances, VFW, 641-682-9678.
82. Enjoy the view of the Des Moines River, walk or jog the levee in Ottumwa.
83. Best sledding in Ottumwa at Wildwood Park, Finley Ave., and Memorial Park, bring your own sled.
84. Visit an Indian Mound listed on the historic register located in Caldwell Park, Ottumwa.
85. Senior’s you are invited to a community meal each noon, Mon-Fri, Ottumwa Senior Center, 117 N. Cooper Ave, Ottumwa, 641-682-7600.
86. Catch a performance by Ottumwa Community Players, for schedule call Bill Allen, 641- 684-9151.
87. Kids play at Rainbow Castle, in Eisenhower play ground, HWY 63 north, Ottumwa fun, fun, fun!
88. Go on a picnic at one of the 15 picnic shelters, contact City of Ottumwa Parks and Recreation, 641-683-0654.
89. Visit Farmers Market in the Market Street parking lot, Ottumwa, Wednesdays, 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm and Saturdays, 7:30 am – 10:30 am throughout the summer.
90. Take a John Deere tour open to public at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday, minimum age sixteen years, Ottumwa, call 641-683-2523.
91. Take a Tour of Homes, Ottumwa, sponsored by Ottumwa Service league, first Saturday in December, call Jane Broek-Kramer, 641-684-4288.
92. Contact the Ottumwa Area Arts Council for performance and art schedules, Elaine Wormhoudt, 641- 682-0317.
93. Take a hike on Chief Wapello hiking trail, starts in Ottumwa Park and ends at Chief Wapello’s grave site in Agency. Pick up your map at the City of Ottumwa or the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
94. Attend a performance by the Greater Ottumwa Vocal Arts Project (GOVAP), contact Dennis Willhoit, 682-0026.
95. Join a club! Pick up a Club and Organization list at the Chamber, 217 E. Main St., Ottumwa, 641-682-3465
96. For racing action visit the Eddyville Raceway, call 641-969-5596.
97. Attend one of the Horse Shows at Ottumwa Park, Ottumwa HWY 63 & 34. Pick up a Calendar of Events at the Chamber Office for dates.
98. Attend a concert sponsored by the Ottumwa Civic Music Association, call Carol Myers at 682-2150 for more information.
99. Volunteer for Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.), contact Patsy Seals, 641-682-3465.
100. Attend Bridgefest, Ottumwa's summer festival featuring Live After Five, Saturday night Grandstand Concert, sporting events, canoe float, 5k fun walk, carnival, farmers market and food vendors.
101. Having done all of the above, sit down for a huge, family-style meal at any of our fine area restaurants. Pick up a Dining Guide at the Chamber, 217 East Main Street.