About OVC – Ottawa, IL – The Middle of Everywhere

Some places make you choose between outdoor adventure, great food, local shopping, history, or family fun. In Ottawa, you’ll find it all.

Known as The Middle of Everywhere, Ottawa is where unforgettable experiences come together. Explore a walkable downtown filled with locally owned boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and public art. Spend the day paddling our rivers, biking scenic trails, enjoying live entertainment, or discovering hidden gems around every corner.

History is woven throughout the community, from the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas Debate to beautifully preserved landmarks, fascinating museums, and the inspiring story of the Radium Girls. But Ottawa is just as much about what’s happening today as it is about the past.

Throughout the year, our community comes alive with festivals, concerts, markets, seasonal celebrations, sporting events, and experiences that bring visitors back time and time again.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a family adventure, a couples escape, or a day trip with friends, Ottawa offers the perfect blend of small-town hospitality and big experiences.

Come discover why Ottawa isn’t just a stop along the way, it’s a destination all its own.

The Ottawa Visitors Center was established to serve the traveling public with information on lodging, attractions, events, and tourism amenities. We market Ottawa in partnership with regional tourism organizations, the Illinois Office of Tourism, and Heritage Corridor Destinations. Promoting Ottawa outside a fifty-mile radius is our main focus.

Monday 8:30AM–4:30PM
Tuesday 8:30AM–4:30PM
Wednesday 8:30AM–4:30PM
Thursday 8:30AM–4:30PM
Friday 8:30AM–4:30PM
Saturday 10AM–2PM
Sunday Closed

Phone: 815-434-2737Address: 1028 LaSalle St Ottawa, IL 61350The OVC is funded by the City of Ottawa Hotel Motel Tax and tourism related grants and has been recognized for outstanding achievement in the field of advertising and promotions:

2012 ILLINOIS GOV CONFERENCE ON TOURISM-BEST BRANDING INITIVE-MIDWEST MOREL FEST
2013 ILLINOIS GOV CONFERENCE ON TOURISM-BEST STATE-WIDE MARKETING CAMPAIGN-OTTAWA PICK US! WALT WILLEY COMMERCIAL
2014 WGN CHANNEL 9 COMMERCIAL GRAMMY NOMINEE-OTTAWA PICK US! WALT WILLEY COMMERCIAL
2017 ILLINOIS GOV CONFERENCE ON TOURISM-BEST SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
2017 ILLINOIS GOV CONFERENCE ON TOURISM-BEST TOURISM MARKETING CAMPAIGN-LIVE BUFFALO NO BULL COMMERCIAL
2019 ILLINOIS GOV CONFERENCE ON TOURISM-BEST SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
2019 ILLINOIS GOV CONFERENCE ON TOURISM-BEST TOURISM MARKETING CAMPAIGN – Twice the Rivers Twice the Fun
2021 ILLINOIS GOV CONFERENCE ON TOURISM – OUTSTANDING NICHE TARGETING – Local Food Restaurant Week
2024 ILLINOIS GOV CONFERENCE ON TOURISM- BEST PR CHAMPAIGN – Your Hometown
2024 ILLINOIS GOV CONFERENCE ON TOURISM- OUTSTANDING NICHE TARGETING – Smoketober Fest

MAPS:
Ottawa Map and Guide

FORMS:

The Ottawa Visitors Center will list all shopping and dining establishments with an Ottawa address on our Website FREE of charge!

Submit Business

Hello Neighbor!

Hosting an up-coming Event in the Ottawa area? The Ottawa Visitors Center can help promote your event! We will post your event FREE of charge to our on-line events calendar as well as submit it to other tourism web sites (All events must be tourism related. We cannot post fundraisers, advertisements or in house entertainment.) Must also have a 30 day advanced notice of the event and to keep us updated about any type of cancellations of said event.

Submit Event

Please contact the OVC for instructions to join the OVC Board.

Please visit these partners in tourism: