Ottawa/Franklin County

A wonderful mixture of history and beauty await you in Ottawa/Franklin County, Kansas. Located approximately 20 miles south of Lawrence and 45 minutes SW of Kansas City, KS Ottawa is a community blessed with historic architecture, great antique shopping, and fun-filled community events.

In this historic community you can learn about the tragedies in the battle over slavery and see how Kansas was the beginning of the Civil War. Franklin County is included in the Freedoms Frontier National Heritage Area which explores the pre Civil War border wars between Missouri and Kansas, shaping of the Frontier by early settlers and our enduring struggles for Freedom even to present day.  

Stop in at the Franklin County Visitor Information Center located at I-35 and Hwy 68.  It's open 7 days a week and offers a wealth of information on the local area, in addition to brochures and maps for all of Kansas and beyond.  They can also help you plan your vacation or offer services for your local meetings and conventions call 785-242-1411 for more information.

You won't be disappointed, because you can find a little bit of everything in Ottawa and Franklin County. 

Contact Info

Kristi Lee
2011 E. Logan
Ottawa, KS 66067
785-242-1411

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  • Click here for a complete list of Franklin County hotels and to book a room

    Best Western Ottawa Inn (I-35 Exit 183 and Highway 59)
    606 E 23rd St.
    Ottawa, KS 66067
    (785) 242-2224
    (800) 780-7234
    www.bestwestern.com

    The Best Western is offerning a 10% discount for the KCRDA just ask for the "KC Destinations" discount when booking your room directly with the motel.  Restaurants and shopping are just minutes away. There are refrigerators in rooms and a microwave in the lobby.  Internet service available. Indoor Pool and hot tub. Pets are allowed in smoking rooms only.  Complimentary breakfast.
    Econo Lodge (I-35 exit 183 and Highway 59)
    2331 South Cedar St.
    Ottawa, KS 66067
    (785) 242-3400
    (800) 553-2666
    www.econolodge.com

    Econo Lodge is offering a 10% discount if booked directly with the hotel.  Just ask for the 10% "KC Destinations" rate when booking your room.  This hotel has 55 rooms. Free high speed and wireless internet available and free local calls.. Microwaves, refrigerators, irons and ironing board, coffee makers in room, hair dryer. Pets allowed. Outdoor Pool. Free hot continental breakfast featuring waffles, biscuits and gravy, muffins, toast, cereal, milk, juice and coffee.

     

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  • Click here for a complete list of restaurants in Franklin County, KS

  • Drivers Sports Café 222 East Logan Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-7799 Website

    With each new season of sports, root your home team on with a mug of suds, basket of burgers, wings or tenders and cheer for good times and good company at the cafe.
    El Mezcal 402 South Main Street Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-2259 Website

    Enjoy one of many Mexican-inspired cuisine choices with a margarita lined with salt. Listen to the salsa as well as enjoy it poured in your bowl with a bowl of tortilla chips.
    Guy & Mae’s 119 Williams Street Williamsburg KS 66095 (map) 785-746-8830 Website

    Voted one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas for Cuisine for its mouth watering, tender ribs. Fill up a mason jar of cold beer and breathe the heavenly aroma of the bbq legend.
    Keim Bakery 304 S. Main Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-6700 Website

    Keim’s Bakery has décor of a diner from sixty years ago. Slip into a booth and enjoy a soda, hamburger and fries.  Be sure to try a cookie, bear claw or other fine pastry.
    Pizza Time 208 South Main Street Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-TIME Website

    At this long-time Ottawa pizza joint enjoy a mini or a whole pizza pie or during lunch feast upon their lunch buffet with many pizza options, bread sticks, salad and dessert!
    Sandbar Sub Shop 127 South Main Street Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-5555 Website

    Stop at this historic locale and gaze upon the tin ceiling while your head is tipped back enjoying a smoothie, soup of the day, or a variety of unique sub choices!

  • Click here for a complete list of shopping in Franklin County, KS

  • Chris’ Corner Quilt Shop & Brenda’s Machine Quilting 3593 Highway 59 Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-1922 Website

    This is your quilt shop for custom machine quilting, Janome sewing machines, supplies, repairing an old family heirloom, making a new quilt of your own, or looking for a class.   
    Country Living 123 S. Main Street Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-1465 Website

    Fill the rooms of your home with seasonal items, Yankee candles, fashionable accessories and everyday country living at this staple on historic Main street. 
    Front Porch Antiques 534 N Main Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-6355 Website

    This multiple seller shop has many treasures to find. See the variety each booth brings from shabby chic to Victorian primitives there is certainly something for everyone to find.
    Market Antiques 505 N Main Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-4098 Website

    Stop in at the market and shop from their selection of antiques from primitives to elegant this market has everything in season!
    Ottawa Antique Mall 202 S. Walnut Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-1078 Website

    This antique mall is former Ottawa Coca-Cola bottling plant! The sign is still visible on the building for all to see as well as hundreds of treasures wait to be rediscovered.
    Our House Runneth Over Antiques 120 S. Main Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-9900 Website

    This antique shop offers treasures waiting to be captured by the right purchasing party to scramble up this bounty.  Stop at this historic Main street locale and find what marks your spot.

  • Click here for a complete list of attractions in Ottawa/Franklin County KS

  • Appanoose Area Museum 600 Shawnee Road Pomona KS 66076 (map) 785-665-7576 Website

    Visit a one-room school, a 1920 farm kitchen and see pictures of Appanoose, Pomona, Williamsburg, Silkville and other surrounding communities. The museum has many buffalo and Native American artifacts, patriotic displays, and a covered wagon repli ...

    Dietrich Cabin 5th & Main Street in City Park Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-1232 Website

     

    The Dietrich Cabin was built in 1859 and stands today as a tribute to the courageous couple who suffered severe hardships on the Kansas frontier.
    Historic Main Street 1st thru 5th Main Streets Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-2085 Website

    Historic Main Street contains structures built between 1872 and 1900 with late Victorian Era styling. This area of Main Street was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 29, 1972.
    Midland Railway 1515 W. High Street Baldwin City KS 66006 (map) 913-371-3410 Website

    Railway operates excursion trains on a line originally constructed in 1867 and departs from Baldwin City to Ottawa. Travel through the scenic views of Eastern Kansas farmland & woods and past historic sites.

     
    Old Depot Museum 135 West Tecumseh Ottawa KS 66067 (map) 785-242-1250 Website

    The museum exhibits include a model railroad layout, displays tracing the life of abolitionist John Brown, Silkville (the utopian community created to raise silkworms), a Victorian Parolor, general store, military room and more.
    Prairie Spirit Trail Ottawa-Iola Ottawa-Iola KS 66067 (map) 785-448-5496 Website

    This 51-mile converted railroad and the longest rail trail in Kansas begins at the Old Depot Museum in Ottawa and spans to Iola. Users can view wildlife, native prairie, rolling hills and fertile farmland.