Things to Do in Des Moines, IA - Des Moines Attractions
Things to Do in Des Moines
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Fun & Gamesfromper group (up to 10)$20
Fun & GamesDes Moines Dash Scavenger Hunt
0 reviewsfrom$27per adult$22
Fun & Gamesfromper adult$10
Fun & Gamesfromper adult$10
Boat Rentalsfromper adult$15
Historical Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$31
Fun & Gamesfromper adult$15
Other Top Attractions around Des Moines
What travelers are saying
- Mags boy SNavarre, FL431 contributionsGreat experience. We don’t go to our own state capital and only went here cause we were visiting. Very nice arts and designs on Building. Gift shop included. Was able to learn facts I didn’t know. Some politicians allow you to go in their office. Library was great. Highly recommend. God bless this location.Written January 31, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- NatureBooPlymouth, MN52 contributionsThis was a fun experience. The booths seemed to go on and on. There was some farm produce but it seemed to be mostly different food booths and other products. My daughter enjoyed an interactive experience with one of the musicians performing on the corner. She was able to play some musical instruments.Written October 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Carrie D.Cleveland, OH1,987 contributionsThe Iowa State Fair is huge—it is so big that it took us two full days to really feel like we’d seen it all. Here’s our observations as first-timers from out of state…
We had each downloaded the app on our phones, but we didn’t find the map all that useful. It was a little hard to use. We finally picked up a hard copy to use and that was actually much simpler. The app could be more user friendly, for sure.
The grandstand was awesome. We had tickets to concerts two nights in a row and our seats were great. Also there were tons of bathrooms and concessions inside, which was appreciated because the shows were long!
They have every food possibly available at the fair, and most of them are deep fried, lol. We made it a mission between us to try as many different things as we could. We came away feeling fat. One thing we do with is that there were more tables around—it was hard to eat some of these things without a picnic table or something. Oh—and the chocolate chip cookies live up to the hype—definitely take a bucket of those home with you!
We enjoyed the sky ride, even though the line was long. We really wanted to do the iconic slides, but the lines for that were crazy long and we just didn’t have the time.
Parking can be tough, especially if you get there later in the day. We had a great experience parking in a neighborhood yard and paying the homeowner to park there—this seems fairly common to do. And the neighborhood we were in was right across the street from Gate 11. As a bonus, the folks in the neighborhood were friendly and had some great tips—we chatted with them quite a bit, both before and after getting to the fair.
Finally, we found it shockingly hard to find the big name politicians—we thought that was kind of weird. Part of the reason we came specifically in 2023 was to see some of the big national candidates and we really struggled to find them. That was a bummer.
A little planning is needed because it's so big, but it's a pretty spectacular state fair and definitely lived up to its reputation as one of the nation's best.Written December 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mags boy SNavarre, FL431 contributionsFree Admission. Free parking on Sundays. Very unique and pretty area out there. Would recommend one time. Thankful we got to see it even in winter. God bless this location.Written January 28, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tony KDes Moines, IA2 contributionsWe stopped by before heading to the East Village for lunch. They do have a restaurant within the botanical garden, but we decided to come back another time and try it.Written October 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- RLCZ70Grand Island, NE716 contributionsNicely laid out, nice gift shop, lots of space to wander, nice variety of pieces, friendly staff, lots of parkingWritten August 21, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Andrew E2 contributionsNice short walk around the lake, some great views of the city and lucky to spot a bald eagle in the trees on the riverWritten September 28, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Happiness217289464183 contributionsSmaller zoo but lots of different species and large exhibits for many of the animals. Lots of staff out and about, plenty to see. Great petting zoo area. Saw a few species I've never seen before like mountain zebra's, white handed gibbons, and harbor seals.Written April 5, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- cenztIowa5,830 contributionsGreat trip. We arrived at approximately 12:45 pm and made our way towards the entrance of the house. We did have to call ahead of time in order to reserve a spot on their guided tour that started at 1 pm. While waiting for the tour to start, we explored their outdoor gardens and walked on a trail that looped to the back of the residence. We then made our way inside where the tour started. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the house and the family that lived inside of it. We made our way from room to room, where the tour guide pointed out interesting features along with pieces of furniture in the room. The guided portion of the tour lasted roughly an hour and fifteen minutes. After the tour was over, we were free to explore the rest of the house on our own. There were informational plaques in several of the rooms, that gave us more information on the family themselves and their life experiences.
Tip: I recommend spending 2 hours here if you truly want to see everything.Written June 29, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - aatbenderDandridge, TN493 contributionsA very nice ballpark convenient to downtown, only a short walk from our hotel. We had great seats right behind home plate where they have service from wait staff. Outstanding craft beer selection. Pretty darn good hot dogs. They do a lame virtual race between innings of characters on the scoreboard. Just stop. Really nice Friday night fireworks. Inconsistent game start times was odd.Written September 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- aatbenderDandridge, TN493 contributionsThis facility, housed in the old City Library, is a national treasure. Our guide was wonderful and we learned so much about the world food/agriculture mission and its founders. What a gorgeous space and it’s fitting that such an important organization can call it home. Well worth a visit.Written September 8, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- RLCZ70Grand Island, NE716 contributionsWalked along the main streets and visited a few stores and cafes, nice variety, easy to access from downtownWritten August 21, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Des Moines
- The top attractions to visit in Des Moines are: See all attractions in Des Moines on Tripadvisor
- The best outdoor activities in Des Moines according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Gray's Lake Park
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Blank Park Zoo
- Clive Greenbelt Trail
- The most popular things to do in Des Moines with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Capitol Building
- Downtown Farmers Market
- Iowa State Fairgrounds
- Gray's Lake Park
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden