611 N Spruce St

Ottawa carries a quiet confidence that comes from being the county seat of Franklin County and a genuine small-city hub in the heart of the plains. Sitting about 25 miles south of Lawrence and roughly 50 miles from both Kansas City and Topeka, Ottawa offers a close-knit atmosphere without sacrificing access to larger metro areas. Ottawa University, a private institution near the center of the city, has shaped the community since its founding through a historic land donation by the Ottawa tribe, whose name itself means "to trade." That deep-rooted history shows up in the beautifully preserved architecture along Main Street, which runs between City Park and the Marais Des Cygnes River.

Neighborhoods near the university feature some of the most walkable streets in town, where older craftsman homes and modest residential streets sit close to campus.