Location: Des Moines
Top Things to do in Des Moines
10 Outdoor Activities in Des Moines That You Shouldn't Miss
Today the capital city and cultural center of Iowa is revitalized. A versatile destination everyone will enjoy, Des Moines has an itinerary for almost every interest. Culture and art enthusiasts may want to roam through the Des Moines Art Center, spend the weekend museum-hopping or attend a Broadway-caliber performance at the Civic Center. Golfers can spend their time and energy teeing up at any of the area's fine championship courses. The Blank Park Zoo and the Iowa State Fairgrounds should be on the list for families. And gardeners will savor the fantastic blooms at the Botanical Center and the Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden. Mix it up a little and sample all this "big city with a small town heart" has to offer.
Restaurants in Des Moines
1. Fitness Sports
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
2. Clive Greenbelt Trail
3. Saylorville Trail
4. Iowa Cubs
5. Brown's Woods
6. Des Moines River Trail
7. Blank Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 627 reviews
Imagine a place where you can have a wild family adventure viewing rhinos or feeding a giraffe while also helping preserve animals for future generations. A portion of the proceeds from your visit to Blank Park Zoo is used to protect animal populations throughout the world. Blank Park Zoo is approximately 30 acres and features an indoor rain forest Discovery Center, Jamaa Kwa Africa, Australia Adventure, Kids Kingdom, Great Cats Complex, a Sea Lion and Seal pool and more.
Reviewed By HeidiSwee
Love love love this zoo for an easy day trip! It's small, but definitely packed with some punch! A fun zoo! Kids bored, this zoo you could get through easily in a couple hours or so, and the kids would love it and I dont feel it ever gets old! Very impressed with all the changes since i was a kid! Will most definitely continue to go!!
8. Waveland Municipal Golf Course
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 21 reviews
Originally founded in 1894 and listed by the USGA as one of the first 100 clubs established in the U.S., this course continues to pose a challenge to golfers of all abilities due to its bold elevation changes and well-guarded greens.
9. Raccoon River Excursions
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4 reviews
We are a river tubing outfitter. We provide our customers with enjoyable float trips down the Raccoon River in the Dallas County area. Our float trips last on average around five hours. They do vary though depending on the level of the river and how often you stop. We provide our customers with tubes to float on, tubes to stick their coolers in, twine, transportation, and life jackets. We also offer party bus rentals in and around the Des Moines area.
Reviewed By laurennB3908BY
I love going tubing with Raccoon River Excursions! This is the second time we've gone and we've had a blast each time! Everything ran smoothly even with a large group. Buck has a very good business going!!
10. Rotary Riverwalk Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By TriCityDude - Saginaw, United States
Awesome bridge over the dam. Fascinating to watch the water fall and swirl. Powerful river in the spring. Very cute fishing pole and bobber play area for kids. Beautiful, clean bridge and park. Connects up to the bike and walk path. Can go anywhere on the path up or down river. Suggest doing the walking loop across this bridge, then down to the red bridge on south side of Downtown, then walk back up. We did this and enjoyed it!
