ARI - A Better Stay

This ten-foot wide concrete trail  14 miles paved trail around Oskaloosa through native prairie, city park, interactive conservation center, animal shelter, ponds, streams and more. Find trail map, trailheads and more here. 

Take the Trail Tram Tour!  May through October for free! One of our guests ordered   Breadeaux pizza  towards the end of their tour and had it delivered to the shelter on Green Street ending their fun with a picnic. 

Loved by families for generations!  Keomah State Park springs flowers, floats kayaks, leaf or snow carpets your path, and freezes over to offer fishermen a twist to their sport. 

Oskaloosa has an active disc golf community and three frisbee golf courses for varied challenges and a change of scenery. One is on the Edmunson Park grounds adjacent to outdoor picnic areas, fireplaces, Edmunson Swimming Pool, and one of the trailheads. Another is near the miniature golf course and the other is behind our Conservational Center. 

Enjoy Tee time at one or all three of Oskaloosa's golf courses, one is overlooked by the deck of our favorite dinner spot in town, the other owned by a PGA tournament champion 

The Alley is an exceptional outdoor venue for all sorts of happenings. You can reserve it for an event or simply bring a book, board game, or friend and eat or drink al fresco! in June and July enjoy Thankful Thursdays from 6-8 before the city band performs for the community. 

"With a blend of forest and prairies, 225 total acres, and over 3 miles of trails, Cedar Bluffs Natural Area can easily take up an entire afternoon to explore. The north end of the trail features an overlook with a breathtaking view of the Des moines River. This is even more rewarding after climbing the bluffs to get to it." - Jacob Glandon in Explore Mahaska County 2022 issue. 

Go back in time when you visit Prine School, Littler Cabin, Blacksmith Shop, Nelson's House, Mott General Stored, and more along with the museum and library. The museum hosts a calendar of events through its open season and will schedule individual tours, if you ask! Schedule your visit to Nelson Pioneer Farm between May and October.. 

Iowa's best Lighted Christmas Parade amidst a cascade of colored lights, Sweet Corn Serenade, Annual Art Show, Fridays after Five, Thursday night city band, and each of these are an idyllic event that makes you wonder if we are in a Hallmark movie! Walk across the street to a bookstore in an old bank with vaults as rooms adjoined to a vintage coffee shop filled with young and old and you will be sure it must be make believe! Lots of live music, here is one example. 

While you choose your treasure or two or three of them from this delightful sunny shop, your children will make friends with the cats laying around, and in spring there are bound to be some kittens! Make a fairy garden, seasonal arrangement, succulent pot or buy one of theirs! 

Check out County Parks in Mahaska County link (https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Mahaska.aspx) to view a description and locations of nearly twenty parks (including marshes, trails, sand dunes, and more) set aside to view and experience wildlife unique to this area. 

Just a few miles north of Oskaloosa in New Sharon's cute downtown. We've heard great things about the coffee shop and a women's boutique store there as well, so a good morning or afternoon trip to this cute town, and on the way there or on the way back, stop at Russell Wildlife Area! 

Rosso & Wine with authentic Italian products just opened their doors in Penn Central Mall! Tassel Ridge Winery offers wine tasting, scheduled dinner and wine events and tours of the wine making process.  

Coming soon will be the official opening of Nostalgic Rides with bikes for date day  or family bike rides through town or on the Recreation Trail. 

Wood iron Grille is our favorite dinner spot with a delicious menu and chef's specials always fun to anticipate! 

The Book Vault is a favorite from lots of guests! Beautifully merchandised book & gift store housed in a historic bank with themes in various vaults! We have a long list of delectable boutiques, a shoe store like they used to be, and wonderful buyers who have brought beautiful finds to their shops. Enjoy! 

Smokey Row Coffee Shop  is a spot for all of us! Enjoy a full menu in addition to the treats and sit long and talk much! You could always start with dinner at delicious Tasos and follow  up with a latte to keep the conversation going, maybe even a piece of Tiramisu with Espresso drizzled on top or a generous serving of Affogato! Walk through the door to the bookshop and browse if your sipping solo! 

Axe throwing competition anyone? How about pinball or PacMan? Maybe Duckpin Bowling or Laser Tag? Stop at Penn Central Mall for all this fun and let Heather feed you something delicious at Wanderlunch while you're there! 

Rent kayaks from Nostalgic Rides, bring your own or stay at The Cabin and use the kayaks and pedal pontoon boat there for you . 

Our county has some treasure hunters that bring their finds to you! Stephanie at North Creek Antiques is one of those traveling buyers! Take the crew and bring home a piece of history! 

Near Tassel Ridge Winery, experience the cheese-making process and try samples of various ages and flavors of their gouda. Call 641-204-222 for hours and to pick the best time for your trip here. 

Grate Expectations Catering and Cafe is simply delicious! Enjoy a fresh and flavorful lunch Monday through Friday 11-2 or call them at 641-676-3388 to cater your event!  1109 A Ave. West, Oskaloosa.

Book your wedding, baby shower, graduation party, family reunion or other grand event at Debbie's Celebration Barn in Oskaloosa.

Our sons have enjoyed riding here!  This is the information directly from Iowa DNR about Bluff Creek OHV: 

Located in Mahaska County southwest of Oskaloosa.  This is a 350-acre park with most of the area accessible for riding.  The area is an abandoned coal mine that has been developed into a riding area.  There are approximately 20 miles of trails, steep hill climbs, deep pits, and four motorcross tracks.  One track is dedicated to novice and beginning riders.  One track is extremely challenging and is often called the "gravity cavity". 

The park is open year round, but is closed when weather or trail conditions do not permit riding.

Thirteen primitive camping sites are available, with flush toilets, shower stalls, and water spigots.

A current registration is required for Iowa residents and a nonresident user permit is required for out-of-state riders. If registration is required in the nonresident home state, it must be displayed on the machine.

The park is not currently signed open to ORV, or side-by-side, use.

For more information, call 641-670-0240.