Area Travel - AmericInn® of Osceola, IA
Welcome to Beautiful Iowa! Read about Osceola attractions and things to do nearby AmericInn.
History of Osceola, Iowa: The city of Osceola was established in 1851 and was named for the Black Drink Seminole Warrior. Clarke County, named for Governor James Clarke, was established in 1846. First white people in Clarke County were Mormans enroute from Nauvoo, IL to Salt Lake City in 1846 and 1847.
Area Events and Attractions: If you are looking for a place to celebrate the 4th of July – look no farther – Osceola has the best July 4th celebration in southern Iowa. The celebration usually lasts 2-3 days with a carnival, some of Iowa’s best entertainment and a fantastic parade (usually lasting over 1 hour) on the morning of the 4th. Osceola is home to Terrible's Lakeside Casino Resort located west of town on Clay Street, which provides wonderful facilities with their convention center where shows of many different calibers are held. They also, of course, offer gambling with slots and table gamesas well as a wonderful restraunt and buffet. Most mornings during the months of April, May, June, July and August you can catch a cruise aboard the USS Osceola , as they are required to cruise 100 days from April 1 to October 1. On this cruise you are offered a wonderful view of West Lake and the habitat that survives along it’s banks. This opened on January 1, 2000 and has been a wonderful addition to our community. Terrible's Lakeside Casino is located on West Lake which is home to many fishing contests and a favorite spot of many locals for fishing and relaxation.
Osceola also offers beautiful parks: East Lake Park – east on Highway 34 that offers wonderful shelters for picnics, fishing, playground equipment, and the lookout tower. East Lake is also home to a pair of trumpeter swans (and offspring) that are a very popular attraction. We also have Q-Pond Park that has limited playground and shelters as well as walking trails. This park is located west of town on Clay Street. While taking a driving tour in Osceola you will see older homes that have been beautifully renovated, with older architectural designs such as the Sutton Home on West Cass Street, the beautiful older home now owned by Erickson’s on Highway 34 and the Doc Dean House located on north Main. The railroad depot (which the city is trying to purchase) is unique and would have many stories to tell if only walls could talk.
South of Osceola on Highway 69 you will find the Historical Museum supported and manned strictly by volunteers. The museum sports many memories of Osceola and the community members that have left their mark on Osceola in one manner or another. Dr. Paul was one of those folks –we are proud to say that Doc Paul, lead many a Rose Bowl Parades with his beautiful Arabian Horses – that he raised right here in Osceola!
If you would like to expand your visit to the west about 10 miles to the community of Murray, and are a history buff, you will enjoy a visit to the site of actual ruts made by the Mormon’s as they passed through this way on their trek from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah. Murray is proud to be a part of the “Mormon Trail” that is a marked route across the central and western United States. These are just a few of the exciting Osceola Iowa attractions awaiting at AmericInn.
Area Attractions and Activities
Terrible's Lakeside Casino - Full-service riverboat casino with an assortment of slots and table games.
Distance: 1.0 miles
Southern Hills Winery - Founded in 2002, Southern Hills Winery is the only wine cooperative in Iowa and offers a variety of delicious Iowa Wine.
Distance: 1.0 miles
Phone: 641-342-2808
Berry Tree Antique Mall - Over 1,000 square feet of quality antiques, depression glass, primitives and much, much more.
Address: 630 West McLane
Distance: 1.5 miles
Phone: 641-342-9490
John L. Lewis Mining and Labor Museum - Located just down the road in Lucas, Iowa, at the junction of US Hwy 34 & 65. Visitors can learn about the development of Iowa mining and the history of labor as it pertains to mining.
Distance: 15 miles
Phone: 641-766-6831
John Wayne Birthplace - Visit the home and birthplace of John Wayne, renowned as the actor with the most leading roles. The home offers guided tours and features an impressive collection of John Wayne memorabilia.
Address: 216 South 2nd Street, Winterset, Iowa
Distance: 30 miles
Phone: 515-462-1044
