Ottumwa, Iowa Comes Alive for Visitors and Locals

Midwestern towns are special. You're likely to know your neighbors, the bank tellers know your name, and there is almost always something going on - even if it's not apparent to someone driving through. Ottumwa, Iowa is no exception. This "City of Bridges" has been reinvigorated in the past few years, with a new multi-screen movie house, a Civic Center under construction, and new hotels.

You don't have to wait for the new Bridge View Civic center. You can go to plays put on by the Ottumwa Community Players, play eighteen holes of golf at Cedar Creek Golf Course (641-683-0646), or swim, ride a paddle boat, and go down the two big water slides at "Beach Ottumwa" (641-682-SURF). Ottumwa Country Club offers reciprocal golf privileges for those who belong to other clubs (641-684-4471).

If you like to play sports but don't swing a club, there are unlimited opportunities for children and adults. The YMCA (641-684-6571) has youth and adult teams in basketball, volleyball, softball, and even dodge ball. Have you always wanted to try roller blading or skateboarding? Then go to Skateboard Park on Market Street in downtown. If you go at dusk you can watch the Jefferson Viaduct Bridge as its blue lights come on. Would you rather take off excess pounds in the company of others rather than on a boring treadmill at home? Join the mall walkers each morning at Ottumwa's Quincy Place Mall, use the outdoor track at the high school's Shafer Stadium, or the indoor track at Indian Hills Community College (IHCC).

If you like to watch sports, take in the basketball players of IHCC - the Warriors (641 683-5144) have twice won the men's National Collegiate Junior Athletic Association's (NCJAA's) championship and always have team members on the NCJAA's Men's Basketball All-Region Teams. IHCC's women softball team just had three players named to the NCJAA All-American softball team. And if you need a cozy place to watch sports, visit Courtside Sports Bar on the north side of town. With multiple TVs and lots of space you can see almost any sport that's on, and you can choose from a great family-oriented menu as you watch your game.

If you are the outdoor type, you'll never want to leave. Pioneer Ridge Nature Area and Center has 15 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; you can camp, and fish, too. The nature center has numerous displays and a full-time naturalist (641-682-3091). But, you don't have to go to the edge of town for miles of walking in a natural environment. Ottumwa's lagoons have beautiful walking trails, and if you need a rest you can feed the ducks and geese. (But only bird food, no bread - it's bad for our fowl friends.) The "in-town" Ottumwa Park also features a camp ground (641-683-0654), softball fields, and tennis courts.

Play miniature golf, join a team that plays on one of the six soccer fields (call City Parks at 641-683-0654), fly a kite at Beach Ottumwa, go cross-country skiing in Wildwood Park… you'll get tired thinking of all there is to do.

And wait - that's just the everyday stuff. Visit the Ottumwa Habitat for Humanity Festival of Trees in November for lots of special events and the chance to buy decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, decorations. The huge hot-air balloons make a hissing sound as they fly low over houses during the Pro-Balloon Race's takeoff and landing each June (641-682-3465).

Enjoy the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra (683-5144) and spend a day at the annual Indian Hills Family Arts Festival (641-683-5144.) Check with the Ottumwa Area Arts Council for these and other such events (641- 682-0317).

You can have "Lunch in the Park" - complete with entertainment - each Friday all summer long. While you're in the downtown City Park, visit the stunning library or research your family history at the library, courthouse, or Wapello County Genealogy Society's facility in the Historical Society Museum, above the Amtrak station.

You like to have a really good time? Come to the Oktoberfest (641-682-0268), with its parade, carnival, and a huge tent that's erected downtown to host music groups and hold all that good food. Don't miss the brats.

Did someone say good food? The historic Second Street Café in the Hotel Ottumwa has placemats that give you a local history lesson. There are all the usual fast-food chains, a terrific Mexican bakery, an Applebee's, and great places for pizza. You absolutely cannot leave town without visiting the Canteen in the Ally for one of the lunch time loose meat sandwiches or a piece of pie.

Are you ready to visit Ottumwa? Lots of web sites describe the city and its activities, but the most comprehensive site with lots of links is operated by the Convention and Visitor's Center, at http://www.ottumwaiowa.com/cvb/info/about.html.