Parks and the outdoors in Des Moines

17 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Des Moines.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Adventureland Amusement Park and Adventure Bay Water Park
Iowa's largest theme park with over 100 rides, shows, and attractions. The water park has 13 water slides, 6,000-sq ft swimming pool, and a bar where patrons can swim up and order a drink, then perhaps drift away on the longest lazy river in the state.
$35 aged 10+, $30 aged 4-9 and 65+, aged 3 or less free. Park and water park included in price, $5 parking
Do
Big Creek State Lake and Park
A popular location for boats, swimmers, and fishing enthusiasts. The lake is much smaller than Saylorville. Trails, shooting range, and picnic facilities on-site.
See
Blank Park Zoo
Permanent exhibits and activities, such as "Behind the Scenes" tours and "Feed the Giraffes", all throughout the year. Also hosts several special events throughout the year, including Zoo Brew (geared towards those 21+).
every day 9AM-5PMAdults $20, aged 2-12 $15, 65+ $19
Drink
Confluence Brewing Company
Large microbrewery whose canned beers are carried in Hy-Vee stores throughout the area, as well as by many bars and restaurants. The brewery has a taproom that welcomes visitors to sample just about everything they brew, including rarer small batch styles and special bottlings of barrel aged beers. The brewery is known for its excellent quality control and its ability to brew both ales and the more technically demanding larger styles. A large outdoor patio deck overlooks a hiking and biking trail that runs between downtown and nearby Grays Lake.
Daily 2-10PM
See
Des Moines Art Center
The Center boasts a permanent collection of contemporary art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including works from Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, Georgia O'Keeffe, Henri Matisse, and Francis Bacon. It also boasts a restaurant with a 5-star rating from The Des Moines Register, featuring a different menu weekly and open for lunch only.
Tue-Wed 10AM-4PM, Thu-Fri 10AM-7PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-5PM, closed MonFree, Center and Sculpture Park
See
Des Moines Botanical Garden
Particularly popular during cold Iowa winters. Special events and learning modules all throughout the year. Connected to the parking lot is the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens with a featured Asian pavilion, built in honor of the Asian Americans who immigrated to Iowa in the late 1970s and of former Gov. Ray.
adults $14, children $10, seniors 65+ and active/retired military $13
Do
Gray's Lake
Busy at all times of day, urbanites of all ages come to breathe in the fresh air or get in their workout before heading heading home or to their cubicle. 167-acre park with a 1.9-mi paved track encircling the lake. Paddle boats, canoes, sailboats and bikes may be rented. A small beach area for swimming. Restrooms and grills provided, while some fishing and bird watching also takes place around the edges.
Do
Iowa State Fair
Each year, the Fair draws around 1 million visitors through its gates. Has a variety of things to see and do, much of it based around agriculture, the arts and food. At night, the beer tents and Grandstand come alive (past performances by Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, The Jackson Five, and Reba McEntire). Park (cheaper) near the capitol building and take an MTA bus over to the fairgrounds, or park closer in front yards of residents (more expensive).
10 days in Aug, Aug 13-23 in 2026$10, $6 for kids 60+, 5 and under free
Eat
Oak Park
High-end American fare with a large wine selection in a building whose architecture was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Tue-Sat open at 4:30PM$50
See
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Western Gateway Park
Opened in 2009, the sculpture garden was a centerpiece of an urban revitalization project and it occupies most of Western Gateway Park downtown. It showcases more than $40 million in publicly displayed modern art. The sculpture garden is curated by the Des Moines Art Center. Family friendly area with open spaces for picnics, walking trails, and receptacles for dog waste (pick up after your pooch!) A public restroom is available. Parking is in metered spaces on adjacent streets.
See
Salisbury House
The house, built between 1923-1928, features Tudor, Gothic, and Corolean styles all throughout its 42 rooms. Also shelters many artifacts, including objects of art, furniture, tapestries and books. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has labeled it a "national treasure" and the property has also been featured on A&E and Home and Garden Television. Hosts many events during the year, including chamber music concerts, Gatsby Gala, Salisbury Automobile Classic, group meetings and Shakespeare on the Lawn.
Tour schedule varies$12, aged 6-12 $7, aged 5 and under free
Do
Saylorville Lake
One of central Iowa's most popular places for water activities, including boating, swimming, and fishing. Also has camping facilities, hiking trails, wildlife areas, and two golf courses--Tournament Club of Iowa (designed by Arnold Palmer) and Jester Park--nearby.
Do
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
Various sports throughout the summer and winter seasons. Summer options include batting cages, go-Karts, sand volleyball, golf, mini golf, driving range, and climbing wall. Winter sports include skiing, snowboarding, and tubing--lifts available for all. Rental equipment available.
Prices vary
See
Terrace Hill
Governor's Mansion
Since 1971, has served as home for the Governor and First Family of Iowa during his or her term. The site was the home of Iowa's first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, with construction beginning in 1866 after being designed by William Boyington (designer of the Water Tower of Chicago which survived the Great Fire). Aptly named as it sits atop the Raccoon River.
guided tours Mar-Dec: Tue-Sat 10:30AM, noon, in Dec also 1:30PM$5, aged 6-12 $2, aged 5 and under free
Do Not mapped
Des Moines Arts Festival
Started in the late-1990s after promoters decided to replace the 40-year running "Art in the Park." Attendance of around 250,000 people each year. Over 150 artists--from all over the country--bring their original creations to be seen and purchased. In addition to the various forms of art you'll see, there are also stages offering entertainment and food vendors selling their own edible creations.
3-day weekend in JuneFree
Do Not mapped
Salisbury Automobile Classic
Antique and classic automobiles of a by-gone era are on display in one of the most unique car show settings in the U.S. It has been called the "Pebble Beach of the Midwest" by Old Cars Weekly (in reference to the famous Pebble Beach Auto Councour). All proceeds going to benefit the historic Salisbury House.
$10, children free
Do
Lakeside Hotel & Casino
Hotel and RV park available.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Des Moines (CC BY-SA 4.0).