Ottawa
Around Ottawa
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Town and around · Kansas · 26k people
Ottawa
Sunflower country, warm hearts.
Sunflower GoldPrairie GreenKansas Sky Blue
Welcome to Ottawa! Whether you're here for the trail, the lake, or just passing through, you'll find friendly folks and wide-open skies. Enjoy the small-town pace and the local flavor.
Clubs for Ottawa
No clubs for Ottawa yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Ottawa. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Ottawa. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Ottawa City Lake Popular for fishing, camping, and picnicking.
- Prairie Spirit Trail 33-mile rail-trail connecting Ottawa to Iola.
- Franklin County Courthouse Historic courthouse in downtown Ottawa's square.
- Old Depot Museum Local history museum in a restored railroad depot.
- Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge Wetlands and wildlife viewing, especially waterfowl.
- Ottawa University Campus Scenic campus with historic buildings.
- Outdoors Fish at Ottawa City Lake
- Outdoors Bike the Prairie Spirit Trail
- With kids Visit the Old Depot Museum
- With kids Swim at Forest Park pool
- Evenings Catch live music at a local tavern
- Evenings Attend a high school football game
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Antique shops
Through the year
- Franklin County Fair July Classic county fair with rides, livestock, and food.
- Prairie Spirit Trail Century September Annual bike ride along the trail.
- Anderson County Fair July County fair in Garnett.
- Ottawa Farmers Market Saturdays, May-October Weekly market with local produce and goods.
- Ottawa's Fourth of July Fireworks July Community fireworks celebration.
Ottawa has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Lake”
- Ottawa City Lake
- “The Trail”
- Prairie Spirit Trail
Getaways
- Lawrence College town with music and dining.
- Topeka State capital with museums and parks.
- Kansas City Big city with BBQ, sports, and arts.
- Emporia Home of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.
Local flavour
Rooting for Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), Kansas City Royals (MLB), Sporting Kansas City (MLS), Kansas Jayhawks (NCAA), Kansas State Wildcats (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Chicken Fried Steak A classic Midwest comfort food, often served with cream gravy.
- Bison Burgers
- Sunflower Seeds A regional snack, often roasted and salted, tied to the state flower.
- Homemade Pies Small-town diners and cafes are known for their fresh-baked pies.
Where people go
- Small-town main streets Historic storefronts, local cafes, and a sense of community.
- Grain elevators Iconic rural structures that punctuate the flat horizon.
- Prairie landscapes Rolling grasslands, wildflowers, and open skies.
- Farmers markets Seasonal gatherings for fresh produce, crafts, and local goods.
- State parks and wildlife refuges Natural areas like the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge.
Heritage and traditions
Locals take pride in their tight-knit small-town community, the historic Ottawa University, and the scenic Prairie Spirit Trail that winds through the prairie landscape.
This time of year in Ottawa
- Harvest season Fall Sorghum harvest and pumpkin patches in the fall.
Say it like a local: “Pop” — Pop — soda, soft drink
Landmarks with a story
- Ottawa Indian Mission Established in 1837 by Baptist missionaries for the Ottawa tribe; now part of Ottawa University's heritage.
Food traditions
- Sorghum syrup making Local farms produce sorghum syrup, a sweetener with deep roots in Kansas.
- Church potluck casseroles Potlucks are a staple at local churches, featuring comfort foods like hotdishes.
A little history
- 1837 Ottawa Indian Mission founded for the Ottawa tribe
- 1864 City of Ottawa incorporated as county seat of Franklin County
- 1865 Ottawa University founded, originally as a school for the Ottawa tribe
- 1867 Ottawa tribe removed to Oklahoma
Rivalries
- Kansas Jayhawks vs. Kansas State Wildcats College basketball showdown.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Marais des Cygnes River
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing on the Prairie Spirit Trail
- With kids Getting ice cream at a local shop
- With kids Visiting the public library
Locals speak with a typical Midwestern accent, using 'pop' for soda and 'you bet' as an affirmation. You might hear 'ope' as an interjection.
Only here
- Ottawa University is one of the few universities in the US with a direct lineage to a Native American mission.
- The Prairie Spirit Trail offers a 33-mile off-road path through the Kansas prairie.
New here? A few tips
- Get used to the wind — it's a constant companion.
- Try a chicken fried steak at a local café — it's a Kansas staple.
- Take a bike ride on the Prairie Spirit Trail to see the countryside.
- Visit the Old Depot Museum to learn about local history.
- Be prepared for hot summers and cold winters.
Make this page better
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Part of Kansas City area
Nearby
Every areaLawrenceKansasA lively college town with a creative soulTopekaKansasHeart of the prairie, home of the capitol.IolaKansasPrairie skies, small-town smiles.Kansas CityMissouriSmoky barbecue, fountains, and a roar that shakes the stadium.EmporiaKansasWhere the prairie meets the sky.Fort ScottKansasPrairie crossroads with a storied pastAtchisonKansasWhere the river bends and history takes flight.ManhattanKansasWhere the Flint Hills meet the purple pride.
Ottawa, KS. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.