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4 Best and Fun Things To Do In Ottumwa, Iowa


TouristWire Editors

This small town, situated about 90 miles southeast of Des Moines, boasts a charming blend of historically significant dining venues and captivating tourist spots.

Just 20 minutes away in the nearby town of Eldon is where you’ll find the Dibble House, the building that was used as a reference in Grant Wood’s iconic painting, American Gothic (1930).

Ottumwa itself is home to miles of hiking trails and quite possibly the most popular loose-meat diner in the United States.

While history buffs will enjoy wandering around Chief Wapello’s Memorial Park, nature enthusiasts will love exploring the Ottumwa River Trails.

For those with kids, Beach Ottumwa is the perfect place to cool off and have some fun.

Check out our list of featured attractions below for more ideas on what to do here during your stay

The 4 Most Popular Things To Do In Ottumwa, Iowa

4. Iowa Heartland History Connection (formerly Wapello County Historical Society & Museum)

4.6 ★★★★★ (18 reviews)

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Credit: Jeff Showers, Google Maps

Location: 700 Farm Credit Dr Ottumwa IA

Tel:  641 682 8676

Web Address:   https://iaheartland.org/

3. Chief Wapello’s Memorial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (23 reviews)

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Credit: WesNowBetter, Google Maps

Location: 6899 Chief Wapello Road Agency IA

Tel:  641 937 5749

2. Garrison Rock Resource Management Unit

4.5 ★★★★★ (51 reviews)

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Credit: Kay Van Wyk, Google Maps

Location: 6951 Cliffland Road Ottumwa IA

Tel:  641 682 3091

Web Address:   http://wapellocounty.org/departments/conservation-board/

1. Beach Ottumwa

4.2 ★★★★☆ (125 reviews)

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Credit: Channone Arif, License, Flickr

Location: 101 Church Street Ottumwa IA

Tel:  641 682 7873

Web Address:   http://beachottumwa.com/

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Ottumwa, Iowa! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

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