Things to Do in Des Moines

It's nonstop fun and excitement with blue-ribbon livestock, agriculture, midway rides, performances, corn dogs and art exhibits—plus a life-size cow made out of butter, not to be missed! Where else can you see a life-size cow made out of butter? During the rest of the year, you can explore science, history and adventure in this state capital city. Its mix of sophisticated breweries, cultural events and down-home fun will delight the whole clan.

Suit Up and Scream

If you're taking the kids to Des Moines, you’ll want to swing by Adventureland. One day isn’t enough to experience the park’s 100-plus thrilling rides and entertaining shows. In Adventure Bay, you can enjoy the tubing river, wave pool, kiddie sprinklers and super slick slides. And in the main park, check out the killer roller coasters, stratospheric Swing Ride, the more gentle carousel and tree-top sightseeing Sky Ride. Stop to watch a circus or magic act, then fuel up with classic amusement park fare at snack stands and casual restaurants scattered throughout the grounds. Get the double-day tickets to save a little money, and give your young adventurers time for that "one last ride!"

Geek-Cred Not Required

The Science Center of Iowa truly embraces the phrase “hands-on science.” You can sit on a bed of nails, electrify your hair so it stands up straight, watch some falling stars in the Planetarium, and hang out with the resident reptiles and amphibians. The Science Center engages both the mind and the senses with daily science demonstrations and experiments, kitchen chemistry lessons and a six-story IMAX dome that shows mind-blowing documentaries (think “Great White Shark!”) along with Hollywood blockbusters. Preschoolers can play in the animal encounters area while middle-schoolers solve crimes, explore caves, create goo and make machines. Tap into your curiosity, and you can play too!

Outer Limits

Experience the country just outside the city with a fun horseback trail ride, hay wagon ride, or sleigh ride. The Jester Park Equestrian Center has guided trail rides for 8-year-olds and up, and seasonal, horse-drawn hay and sleigh rides for everyone. At Living History Farms, you can experience 300 years of prairie farming in one afternoon. Wander through costumed re-enactments in the 1700 Ioway Indian Farm; 1850 Pioneer Farm; 1900 Horse-Powered Farm; and the 1875 frontier Town of Walnut Hill, where its Main Street is lined with craft and merchant shops. It's an interactive trip across time that brings Iowa's history alive.

Foodie Favorites

With inventive pizzas, omelets and to-die-for breads, Centro keeps even the pickiest eaters happy. This urban Italian eatery offers lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and a very decent kids menu, all for moderate prices. Jethro's BBQ boasts TV and magazine fame, along with really big portions of classic barbecue fare—pulled pork and slow-smoked baby back ribs. Fong's is a funky, Asian-inspired, pizza-salad-sandwich-dessert stop. Crab Rangoon or vegan pizza, Chinese cheese sticks, grinders, D.I.Y. pies—no matter what you order, it'll be a fun, cheap chow-down.

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