*There’s a lot of great stops from east to west on HWY 34 throughout Iowa, and this destination is one of the best for every holiday season! Our visit was sponsored by Meet Ottumwa and the views expressed in this blog post are of our own. Now, let’s gallivant!
Holiday Nights ‘N Lights in Greater Ottumwa Park is a long tradition for this community. And you don’t even have to get out of the car! Load up the family and take a slow drive through the park and behold one of the state’s most iconic displays of lights. Pic provided by Meet Ottumwa!
Ottumwa, Iowa: Wapello County
We’ve had a few gallivants to the Ottumwa area and we were glad to be back! The holiday season is a special time , but there’s plenty to do all year in this area. Let’s get to know one of the major ports on HWY 34!
Breakfast Time
Riverside Family Restaurant is an Ottumwa staple with a classic diner menu. This steak skillet can get your HWY 34 day started off just right!
Coffee-Up
Get your energy pumping with one of your favorite caffeinated beverages at Coffee & Curiosities in Eldon. You’re going to this town for the American Gothic House anyways, so fuel-up!
Lunchtime
Are you craving something saucy? Perhaps a sandwich? Maybe a pork tenderloin? Then get over to Eddyville and belly-up at the Welcome Inn! They have great food and this BBQ sauce smothered pork tenderloin is one of their options for this popular Iowa sandwich. Look at those fried pickle chips!Singleton’s Café in Eldon is where you’ll devour some chef inspired meals like this Mediterranean Chicken sandwich. Another great stop when you’re on the hunt for the Grant Wood masterpiece.Here’s that American Gothic House! Not only can you stand in the spot where Grant Wood painted one of the greatest pieces of art in world history, but you can also go into the welcome center and take care of that last minute shopping list for the holidays. Or play a round of disc golf throughout the grounds! Be careful with that pitchfork, kids….
One of the most iconic restaurants in Iowa serves up one of most iconic sandwiches ever created. American’s love loose meat sandwiches all over the country and there’s an ancient debate on where and who created this concept. The arguments will continue to rage on with this topic, but one thing for sure is that Canteen Lunch in the Alley is one of the best and it’s been an Ottumwa, Iowa go-to since 1927.
Yes, it’s literally located in an alley in downtown Ottumwa. Fantastic destination restaurant!The taste of Americana in every bite. I prefer to have my Canteen with mustard, onions, pickles, cheese and stuffed with Burlington Iowa’s Sterzing’s potato chips to give it a crunch!
Hunting History
Head to the Meet Ottumwa headquarters and see their exhibit on their own “Radar”. This is where you’ll see the story of local Ottumwan, Don Shaffer, who inspired the movie and TV M*A*S*H character Walter “Radar” O’Reilly.Near the town of Chillicote is the grave a legendary Civil War veteran. Curtis King was 80 years old when he enlisted and is known as the oldest to serve in the Union Army. His resting place is directly off of HWY 34.
Check-In
The Cobblestone Hotel & Suites is located directly by the Bridge View Center where you’ll enjoy a bevy of entertainment in Ottumwa. The staff was warm and welcoming and so was my room. A great location in the middle of everything in town. Especially if you’re about to see a show at the Bridge View center or enjoying the water park across the street during the summer! 108 Church Street 641-244-3644The suite was a sweet one! Plenty of ways to relax and host a few friends for a night out in Ottumwa!Wonderful beds and the room was incredibly clean. Check out the Wissota Chophouse near the lobby for a gourmet meal just steps away from your room.
I lost count of how many Cobblestones I’ve stayed at, but I can tell you I’ve never had a bad experience. Put Ottumwa’s on this list because it was fantastic! From every moment I was here, it felt like another great crew was operating this place. Thank you to all of you at Cobblestone Hotel & Suites-Ottumwa!
Suppertime
Karen Thai Cuisine in Ottumwa is where I landed for a delicious plate of noodles. Thai is in the name, but Thai isn’t the only style of cooking here. This is their Burmese noodles with chicken and it was phenomenal!
Beer Me
Time for a nightcap at one of my favorite Iowa bars. The Tom-Tom Tap is located at the Hotel Ottumwa with one of the best black light pieces of art you’ll find anywhere shining down on your cold beverage.
Wake Up & Take A Hike
Explore Garrison Park and discover Horse Thief Cave! Located just outside of Ottumwa and this beautiful area provides a scenic way to remember your trip to Wapello County. Jesse James found this woodland quite useful because him and his outfit hid stolen horses at this cave. I recommend not doing that, but you live your life…
Sunset at Greater Ottumwa Park. A perfect ending to a day in a community I know well, but always keeping me intrigued with more places for all of us to experience throughout the entire calendar. You know what else that sunset signifies? Another chance to see the holiday lights at Greater Ottumwa Park!
