The 41 best free attractions in Des Moines

I wish it was a bit more interactive. Only one sculpture didn’t say “no touching” some of them were cool and creepy all at once. A nice place to stop if you have some time to waste on a beautiful day.

8.18.25 I came across this place while visiting Des Moines for work. It says that this park is named after John and Mary Pappajohn, who are renowned art collectors. They donated the initial collection of sculptures—28 pieces valued at an estimated $40 million—to the city of Des Moines. Free to walk around and explore.

Nice area, we saw a family having a picnic there yesterday. It would be awesome if there was a drinking fountain and a small restroom available. I would like to see more art eventually as well or if they could bring in some seasonal sculptures on occasion that would be cool too.

Five year old loved it. He really liked finding the actual pieces of art in person of the map of the park they have available at random spots through out. All in all we had fun.

Is an absolute beautiful day lots of people just walking around taking pictures to some really nice quiet place

Nice park for walking through and looking at a few sculptures. It was a hot day. Some shade was helpful. Saw a few people using their lunch time to stroll around the park. Enjoyable park to slow the pace of the day.

Nice walk in the garden and there area some neat statues! Nice free attraction, but just make sure to pay for parking on the side.

The Iowa State Capitol was stunning from the start, its gold dome gleaming proudly above Des Moines. Inside, friendly security officers greeted us with smiles and a touch of humor, setting the tone for a great visit. The intricate tile mosaics were breathtaking, and the library was a true gem, filled with charm and small spiral staircases leading to its upper levels, making it one of the most beautiful spaces in any Capitol we’ve visited.

We went on a tour with Karen, who was a great tour guide. It is worth finding out if you can go on a guided tour instead if a self tour. She pointed out things we would never have seen and we got to go to the dome. Great tour, lovely building.

We got a guided tour and it was incredible! Julie was extremely knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. The history, the architecture, the art, it is all rich and intriguing. I can not thank Julie enough for how amazing she was at informing us of the beauty of the Capitol. Iowa, for all the times people call you an ugly state, your capitol is one of the most beautiful I have had the pleasure of being in!

This is a must see if your visit Des Moines! It is free to visit with free parking. Beautiful building and amazing architecture. Amazing this was built in the 1800s. Visitors tour guide book is only $1 and no tax.

This is the most beautiful state capitol I have ever seen. We had a wonderful tour and enjoyed it immensely. Its beauty reminds me of many buildings I have seen in Europe!

Great place!! Very beautiful inside and great architecture. It's free to visit. And they even offer a tour (free maybe) to go further up in the building. We didn't get to do this, but I would definitely recommend getting this booked ahead of time if you want to.

Went on a Sunday 😣but enjoyed the outside sculpture. The view from the capital is amazing , there is a section on the front entry on the ground they have the map with all the counties , Al the outdoor benches are named after every governor. That is a nice gesture.

Wonderful mini-retreat in this lovely garden. Spring is slowly waiting and leaves gently unfold and blooms blossom in their own time. The rose garden is so demure in April; although, a well staged reprieve from the winter’s stagnancy. Andy Goldsworthy’s the Three Cairns keenly sits at the hill’s top. The landscape is both a photographer’s and a bird watcher’s dream.

Highly recommend visiting this art museum! It is so quiet, clean, and spacious. There are many different exhibits with unique art pieces. We spent a few hours here, but you can easily spend longer depending on how much time you take. There are different sections with floors or elevators to access. The staff are friendly and helpful. I also love and recommend checking out the gift shop inside, which includes so many fun, unique, and interesting items for anyone’s taste and style. I bought this fair trade chocolate bar and a greeting card. Overall, a great experience and I would return. Admission is free.

what a lovely art center with quality contemporary, modern, impressionistic, & abstract artwork. the admission is free, but don’t forget to checkout the shop… amazing gifts of all kinds! and the staff… so friendly, energetic, & bring the experience to the next level!

Loved this experience!! There are activity sheets for the youth and those of us that are less focused. I deeply appreciate the education throughout the museum. There is also a bakery/ coffee shop

The Des Moines Art Center is truly a gem. Every corner of the museum feels like an aesthetic experience, from the stunning architecture by Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei, and Richard Meier, to the outdoor sculptures, rose garden, and reflecting pool that surrounds the building. Admission is free, which makes it even more remarkable. We especially enjoyed the current exhibition by Firelei Báez, an incredible Dominican Republic–born artist whose work is vibrant, thought-provoking, and beautifully displayed in the main gallery. The restaurant is a highlight with delicious food, warm service, and a gorgeous view that makes it a perfect stop during a visit. The art shop is equally impressive, offering thoughtful, high-quality gifts and creative finds you won’t see in typical museum shops. The staff throughout the center are welcoming and knowledgeable, and the workshops, lectures, and film programs make this a lively hub for art and culture in the community. We highly recommend the Des Moines Art Center. whether you’re coming for the rotating exhibitions, the architecture, the restaurant, or simply the peaceful grounds, it’s an unforgettable experience.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Truly Satisfying Art Experience! *Free admission ​Even with the main gallery closed, my visit to the Des Moines Art Center was an absolute delight and still earned a 5-star rating from me! They have an incredible collection featuring works from lots of artists. ​I was completely mesmerized by one of the paintings in particular—seeing a piece from the 1800s up close was a truly satisfying and unforgettable experience. The quality and variety of art on display were fantastic. ​Don't let a partial closure deter you; there is still so much to see and appreciate here. I can't wait to go back once the main gallery reopens!

The building is beyond beautiful, lighting is amazing, they accept donations but no money is required to view the art. I love this place.

Top 2 things to do on a summer Saturday in Des Moines ! Lots of diversity in food, local products and music. Make sure you get a good breakfast sandwich. I took it to go for lunch and go early before it gets too crowded. Visiting from MA sorry I’m missing the state fair.

What a wonderful experience today. Tons of vendors from flowers to bakery goods to German Brat’s to soap’s. Also multiple live music musicians on multiple street corners. So much stuff.

I love the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market. I go every Saturday that I am able to, whether I plan on buying something or not. I have enjoyed getting a freshly made Sourdough every week, have found some delicious honey that reminds me of the Fynbos honey I get back home, as well as some lovely baked goods, fresh vegetables and there are always beautiful flowers to see to. Very sad this is ending soon, I believe it runs till the end of October and then closes for Winter.

It was my very first time being at the Des Moines Farmer's Market! Such a great experience! Lots of people! Lots of goodies to stock up on! I got the biggest cookie of my life! It's every Saturday from the first weekend of May to the last weekend of October! I'll definitely be back!

The Farmer's Market is always fun. The best advice is to go early. For 2 reasons. #1 it's less busy early. #2 you can park on the street for free until 9 am

Spectacular farmers market with a wide variety of produce, baked goods, cheeses, some meat vendors, wares, flowers and more. Loved the food trucks and ready to eat vendors such as the egg roll carts, pretzels, and all the samples !! Super easy parking, we chose a private garage but loads of free space available. Many accessible points of entry as there's a main drag with off shoots from closed streets. My hands were full for the hour we were there, only snatching this one shot at a flower vendor. May - October take a Saturday get up early and experience the market. Honestly reminded me of shakedown at a dead show. haha good times !! Great job Des Moines!

I absolutely LOVE the Des Moines Downtown Farmer's Market. The atmosphere is absolutely charged with hype and fun! There is something for everyone from purchasing goods and wheres to food for your fridge and pantry and food for immediate consumption! There are people galore; dogs and even some cats, too! Shop the tents/food trucks some Saturday morning during the season, purchase some goods, eat some food and enjoy your time outdoors people watching or listening to one of the performers!

Great for families, nature lovers, photographers, and anyone looking for a calm getaway within the city. We recently visited the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and it was a peaceful, beautiful experience! 🌺🌳 The indoor conservatory is filled with tropical plants and flowers, creating a warm, vibrant escape. Outdoor gardens are well-maintained and perfect for a relaxing stroll. Especially the water features. It’s also a great place for photography, with plenty of colorful spots and natural light. The staff were friendly and helpful. However, that garden requires ticket to enter and it would be great if the entry fee could be little less ( around $5) or free for everyone. There is nothing that much to really explore within $15 ertry fee.

This place was beautiful and I am so glad we went! For $12 admission (lower for seniors and kids) I think it was well worth it. Just to see a monstera (a few, actually) with fruit in person was amazing! So many beautiful plants and the koi fish are amazing as well. And the gift shop had some wonderful things, though very expensive.

So much fun! Lots of cool gardens both inside and outside. It took us maybe 30-40 mins to look through everything so was definitely worth the price. There was a very helpful guide Steve (or Steven?) there who answered all of our questions and pointed out some cool features!

We visited the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden on a Sunday and were pleasantly surprised to find it not too crowded. Though the garden is small, it’s beautifully maintained and offers lovely green spaces perfect for quality family time or quiet relaxation. The on-site cafeteria is a nice bonus, with nutritious and tasty food options that make it easy to spend a few hours enjoying both nature and a good meal. A charming spot to recharge and connect with nature in the city.

Second visit for my wife & me to this very well laid out and maintained Botanical Garden, this time during their annual BOOtanical Garden Trick or Trees Halloween-themed event inside the glass dome Conservatory. Many of the staff members were dressed in Halloween costumes, interacting with the young costumed visitors who were fascinated by the unique decorations & being exposed to simple concepts of nature in a family-friendly atmosphere. The Greater DSM Botanical Garden is a beautiful downtown facility along the Des Moines River, suitable for all ages and enjoyable in all seasons.

I’ve managed botanic gardens for decades and I will tell you with authority this is a very well-run garden. The dome is loaded with uncommon and well-tended tropicals, subtropicals and container plants with plenty of seating. The water garden, perennial gardens and annual borders are stunning and offer a beautiful selection of colorful and textural plantings. Whoever assembles the mixed containers outside is an artist. While this garden may be on the smaller side, it’s 100% worth the price of admission and does the capital city proud. I’ve seen so many public gardens I can sometimes get bored by the same old- but I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and found so much to love. Great job!

My first experience with the Botanical Gardens was 45 years ago. It has been improved upon so much. Beautiful outdoor water gardens. The children's play area was delightful. My grandkids loved it. My favorite thing outdoors was sitting on a bench under the waterfall. There are many sitting areas you could enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors. Lovely experience. I highly recommend.

Great Lake to walk around. Parts are shaded, but it’s definitely sunny. A few tables scattered around the lake help provide areas to enjoy a picnic. There is a small beach my area where people can go swimming and there are some small facilities to change or use the restroom. Overall, excellent place to enjoy a morning or afternoon.

Nice wide walking trail around lake. Part of it is a bridge over the over for 300-400 yards. Often fairly busy b/c it is so nice. Great place to think, walk the dog, or bring children I suppose for those that have that joyful displeasure. Front parking lot often fills up, so just plan on rear parking to make it easier on yourself.

Very nice place to take the family. Quite casual. Great walking, running, and bicycle area. They have a rental area to rent canoes and paddle boats.

It's a nice lake with a nice trail that goes all the way around and it has access to the water if you want to get up close.

Such a nice little Lake kind of very close to town but they were doing construction right next to the concession stand which is a little annoying but I do appreciate any Recreation and all hiking and these photos that I got to take

A lot of people with dogs and infants walking around this very nice lake on a Wednesday morning in the heart of Des Moines. Great way to spend a morning.

I have always liked Grayslake it's a great place to go to walk run meet up with friends they keep making improvements to it like putting in new Walking pads and new Bridges and keeping up the Landscaping I will continue to visit

We must look after our history!

This is our second show (Queen, Beatles) with Fever/Candlelight and they were both over the top! You might want to spend.the.extra $$$ and.sit it section A. But, you do t have to because the music engulfs you know matter where you sit. But the front row is outstanding also!

Beautiful building and nice landscaping, with different flowers.

Went to the Queen tribute and it was amazing. The musicians shared background of the music, played a dozen Queen songs, PLUS pieces from operas and classical selections. Venue was beautiful with the candlelight. Beverages available for purchase. Comfy chairs. Could see and hear from everywhere. I sat in the way back and could see and hear everything well. I went early and enjoyed the gardens surrounding the World Food Prize building it was hosted at in Des Moines IA. Cost was $50 for an hour and a half a glorious entertainment. Awesome!

Amazing!! If you ever get a chance to see a candlelight tribute, GO!!! We saw Queen and it was truly amazing. The setting is beautiful with all the candles and the music…wow.

Stunning building, very informative tour. Not the most exciting experience, but if you like educational tours this one is worth taking.

Wonderful experience! Setting was much more intimate than expected. Quite lovely. The musicians were phenomenal & fun making the evening exceptionally enjoyable. Could not help but to move to the music! Outstanding choice & delivery of music for the Halloween season. I would recommend sitting in section A for the very best experience. If you want to take video or photos at the end when they allow it, you’ll want to be in the first two rows. We were in the third row, section A and it was difficult to obtain any video or photos without them being unobstructed. We are so happy that we have already purchased tickets for the Taylor Swift candlelight with our friends after last nights experience!! This type of event would be a wonderful gift for anyone I believe. So grateful we were able to be there for the first one in Des Moines! Thank you to the musicians, again they were magnificent!!

Unique, boutique Candlelight Concert series w/ songs by Coldplay & Imagine Dragons at this venue was a once in a lifetime event experience. Highly recommend the quartet, the historic building and the overall ambience and vibe. Support local musicians while being awed and entertained. Great for families, dates and celebrations.

We saw the Pork Tornados at the MidAmerican stage on Thursday, August 14, 2025. This is our favorite free stage at the fair, but we love that the fair has so much quality free entertainment. This band is awesome!! We highly recommend the band and the venue!!

Second time ever going. It was a warm one this year, we still enjoyed getting out. Realized after we’d left that we unfortunately didn’t cover everything we’d like to have, but that’s our fault. Didn’t take many pictures. Hope we can make it back in the future and cover everything.

Very great place to visit. They have a lot to see, a lot to eat and a looooooot of people here. 4 hours been here not even enough for me

I come here every year, and It's always just as good if not better than the year prior. It truly is a wonderful experience. Highly recommend.

The Iowa state fair is always fun &great!! If you’re not on google/or if you are & never been to the Iowa state fair you have to go! !

So much fun, rode a lot of rides and saw a ton of animals!! Food was amazing some overpriced but it's worth it, don't go to the snake place, they charge 20 dollars to hold and get a picture with the python but charge 3.50$ to enter the place not worth the money cause it's like 2 seconds

Fairgrounds are great. Tons of things to do and so many food options. But we have gone to numerous concerts over the years here and they need to train the camera crews at concerts not to stand directly in front of the band. The whole damn concert this guy acting like he's part of the band.

I LOVED this place! This was a spur of the moment, ordered tickets online. Very easy to do. $10 plus tax, total was $22 plus change. Used gps directions. Beautiful inside and out. Well manicured and tended garden and lawn in early September. Indoor had AC throughout. Main floor and 2nd floor was open to walk in and look around after showing my ticket pass. If we had any questions a VERY knowledgeable person at the entrance was available or I could scan a QR code at the entrance that would answer questions. I chose to run back to the person when I had questions. The next time I will choose a guided tour. There is so much to see. Who knew such a gem was right here in Des Moines? I will be back, more than once! I highly recommend everyone see this.

Incredible 1923 Gothic/Tudor styled mansion with features imported from England, including the White Cliffs of Dover, 1600s German statuary, English wood beams, stone fireplace, and stones from Greece. The 28,000 foot mansion is home to art and historical pieces such as: suit of armor, tapestries, European paintings, religious art, sculptures, a Buddha statue, Native American art, original furniture, a vase from Cyprus dating to 1000 BCE. Gorgeous gardens. Interesting history on the Weeks family wealth and the Armand cosmetic business that they started. Impressive art collection that symbolizes Edith Weeks’ vast knowledge of history and art. Beautiful old growth woods, outdoor spaces for music festivals. Knowledgeable docents that can answer all of your questions. It was definitely worth the trip and we spent 2 hours touring the mansion and the grounds.

Very interesting and informative. David Ross was our tour guide and very involved with the restoration and preservation of the house. Definitely was worth having a tour guide.

Salisbury House made for a lovely afternoon visit! The docents are knowledgeable and the home is certainly a hidden gem here in Des Moines. The architecture alone is worth the visit but also learning the story of the family that once called the property home is well worth it. Definitely recommend and an easy visit - recommend about 1.5 hours to read and do everything on an initial visit.

While in Des Moines visiting my mother we heard about a local house tour near her in Urbandale. So glad we looked it up and went for the tour. Dick was our tour guide and was fabulous!! He went into great detail and made the entire tour a great one. Mom is elderly-90, and she was using her walker-he was very kind and helpful when we needed it in the elevator and small steps throughout the house-it was very doable. We enjoyed our talk so much that at the end of the tour Dick helped Mom into our car. Thanks for a lovely day. The house inside and out is a treasure.

Our wedding at the Salisbury House was absolutely magical! The venue’s historic charm, lush gardens, and stunning architecture created the perfect backdrop for our day. The staff was incredibly helpful and professional, making the planning and day-of experience seamless. Every guest commented on how breathtaking and unique the setting was — truly a five-star experience from start to finish!

This place is so beautiful and has such an interesting history in the heart of Des Moines. Getting a guided tour is well worth it. We've been here a handful of times and David is the best tour guide we've ever had. He is so immensely knowledgeable and passionate. There are many events, but you have to act fast if you want tickets. We bring anyone who visits us in Des Moines to tour the Salisbury, because it's just such an amazing European castle feel in the middle of the city

Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of this garden!

Beautiful garden!! We were on vacation and didn’t know this was nearby—great surprise! The fountain, multiple paths, shaded seating area, and multitude/variety of plants were all great. The people working were very friendly and answered all our questions. They said there were probably 2,500-3,000 plants total inside, and every year the take out some and put in some. All kinds from all over are present. • We just happened to be available during the only open hours (Friday 12p-2p), which made it a special treat. We did peer through the “windows” earlier in the week, but it was definitely worth it to go back and see it from the inside. The kids loved it to.

It's not very big like the botanical gardens but they have a huge variety and knowledgeable guides. I enjoyed this more than bigger gardens because of the guides. Meter parking (2 quarters) is right outside the gate on the north. Beautiful sculpture Park is next door. Food and bathrooms, however, were not handy. I think most people would take 45 minutes to an hour to get to the entire garden. They're currently only open from 10:00 to 2:00 on Fridays but it is free. I highly recommend it if you are looking to add some plantings to your yard and need information or ideas. Many of the plants are labeled and it has 22 different dedicated sections such a shade or herb.

Don't understand why they locked up a small garden on public streets. Only open one day per week (Friday).

Only open on Friday. Beautiful retreat space in Des Moines.

Calming. If you have questions staff available to onswer. Only open to public Friday noon to 2.

This place is so dishonest. I know of a property at 1440 Pioneer rd that can't have sewer hookups because it sits to low and the only way to get sewer connected is a 60k lift station and they are not going to disclose this information so who ever purchase it the land is useless it will also take 10k to fix the front yard.

This was a very nice and comfortable little winery. It is a nice place to hang out for a couple hours. Have a glass of wine sit by their fire, chat with your friends! Their grounds are small but cute. Their wines range on the sweeter side, but there were also a few drier ones. They have red wine, white wines, and ciders. Would be a good place for events as well.

We used Jasper Winery for our rehearsal dinner and it couldn’t have been a more perfect choice! Sydney was wonderful to work with throughout the entire process, and she made sure all of our requests were met. We hosted a casual food truck dinner that flowed between the indoor space and the outdoor area, which was exactly what we wanted. We invited families to our rehearsal dinner, and the kids loved having the green space to run around in. The vineyard also provided a beautiful backdrop for photos. Even though it was a hot day, everyone (about 100 ish people) fit comfortably inside, and Jasper also set up a white tent and tables outside to give us more space. We highly recommend Jasper Winery to anyone planning an event. The space, staff, and food truck option made our evening fun, relaxed, and unforgettable.

I had my wedding and reception at Jasper winery and it was amazing! I would recommend it to anyone looking for an event venue. The staff payed close attention to details and was super helpful and knowledgeable in the planning process!

3 different parties going on so that made for some significant wait time at the counter but otherwise a good experience. Didn’t love all the wines but definitely found a couple I wanted an entire glass or bottle of. Sometimes there was a good breeze but was a bit warm on the patio. A fan would not go amiss. Otherwise great experience. Thanks y’all.

First off, let me just say that Sydney was absolutely incredible from start to finish. Not only was she extremely accommodating for my husband and I, but she was flexible, honest, attentive to detail, and genuine. Additionally, the bar staff on the night of the reception made sure our guests were safe and enjoying themselves! If you are looking for a place to do your wedding, reception, both, or just host a get together, this is a hidden gem and wonderfully affordable. I cannot be more grateful to the team that made our wedding reception so incredibly special.

Absolutely amazing! Jasper hosted my only daughter's wedding and reception. Sidney and her staff went above and beyond all my expectations. As a small business owner; I recognize how challenging it can be to meet sometimes unreasonable or just unrealistic expectations...but let me share with you how Sidney and Jasper went beyond what I would ever have asked of them. First, from the beginning; the selection tour and explanation of services was clear and up front. Very few add-ons, or extra charge surprises...it's the venue, the alcohol, and the gratuity; of course catering, decorating, and music is 3rd party. Sidney had her available dates right there and we were able to book the day we knew it was for us. From there, the kids and Sidney met a few times to work out details and verify times. Our event was Saturday, July 4th...they had the band NADAs on Friday, so our rehearsal was on Thursday...once again...no problem. The big day Saturday was a day of weather concerns. Of course we were doing the ceremomy outside and we had a 2 hour window to make the call in or out. Inside, would have been tough for 140 people; they say 150 is the max for inside. I'm not sure how it would have worked. But, we made the call for outside and Sidney and her staff made sure all the chairs were dry. Voila! We made it through without rain...but the weather wasnt over. At dinner a HUGE cell came through and knocked the power out. Sidney was out under the tent pulling our glass vases and flowers off the tables under the tent, dropping chairs, and ensuring our guests all would be fine. Our DJ, Seth from Select Entertainment Iowa was also absolutely AMAZING! He had his expensive equipmemt outside under the tent and yet, selflessly continued to make sure the night was all about our daughter and new husband Mike. By the time dinner was over the power had been restored, Christianis (also fantastic) was serving cake and coffee...the weather had cleared for the night. Sidney went outside and quietly cleared the floor of standing water, set up the tables again; Seth got his DJ system powered back up and we partied the night away like nothing had ever happened. It was miraculous! So yea; when I say Jasper and Sidney go way beyond what I expected...it's TRUE. You won't find a better staff to host your event.

Despite that fact that we had to sit outside in the heat due to a wedding going on, we really enjoyed it. The wine was great and our waiter, Chet, was outstanding. He even brought us a list of local restaurants that serve vegetarian food. My sister and I both ended up buying some bottles of wine.

Minus the star because they held a concert right after rain and did not do anything to mitigate the muddy walking areas & exiting traffic was very congested. ( That could be influenced by local road construction or not). On the flip side the sheer of variety in food trucks and beverages both not alcoholic and adult all around plud free coozies at one stop a plethora of bathrooms available and even though it was warm out and humid to start with it was a beautiful night to see Beck in concert. The first 2 hours were his sets, including the local orchestra, which truly elevated the music, and then, after nine p m , he played his older classics. Arriving in getting parked was a great experience. It flowed well, and all of the volunteers were expertly informed, and it was a very smooth process. However , as you try to leave , there are a variety of vehicles parked with their flashers on in places to pick others up and those are not the right places to do that, which caused a bottle neck or two.

Love it here. Huge field great for kites, plenty of water ways to fish lots of wild life so don't be surprised to see some deer. My favorite place to get a way that's not too far from home.

Common walking area that’s pet friendly and kid friendly. The natural playground is great for large motor skills for the kids. Also, this is a great place for photography

Connected to Greys lake via tunnel. Great for dogs, kids, bikes. Trail is paved. Unique wooden play structure for kids. Also a fishing spot and concerts in summer. Restrooms available. Picnic tables along trail and Greys Lake has boat rentals.

Love Des Moines Symphony concerts there on Labor day weekend. Parking and traffic can be overwhelming.

If you ever choose to go to a concert here, don’t. The walk is horrendous. Waiting in line for a beer for untrained event staff to serve was about an hour and a half for me. The event that I went to didn’t seem like a super popular concert but they charged you $20 for chicken strips and $25 for a burger and fries. Beers are about nine dollars apiece, depending on the event. They had a lot of porter potties, which was great and I never had to wait for a bathroom. The service was absolutely horrible in that area so if you lose your friends then you are out of luck because it took me about three hours to get service back in the area even with priority service at US cellular. Probably the worst place to have an event. June was really rough because obviously it was pretty hot at the end of the month. They move up their times normally to 630 from seven but none of the artists start till 8 PM. When you have a line that long it’s miserable. I sold my other concert tickets because it was at the same venue. I would recommend never going to a concert here.

The scenery is peaceful and beautiful. The trails are well maintained and my wife loves driving through at night to see the water sparkle.

Great day of baseball. No bad seats in the place, but only shade in the early afternoon is upper level behind home plate or 1st base lines. Sit higher for breeze on windy days otherwise fairly stagnant and hot. Splash pad in right field for kids. Great food and beer options.

Wow, we watched the baseball game against the Omaha Storm Chasers July 3rd. The Cubs bats were a burning. A hot night, that's baseball! Everyone had a great time, four adults and five kids. What a wonderful event to have in the heart of our great state. I'd be remiss if I did not mention the fireworks display. What a extravaganza! An enjoyable venue for a reasonably priced 2.5 to 3.0 hours of entertainment. Thank you Cubbies, looking forward to a few more games this season.

A great way to spend a summer night. I’d highly recommend buying a ticket pack in the spring. The splash pad and jungle gym were lifesavers for my antsy nephew, definitely family friendly!

Been to quite a few minor league stadiums at this point, and Iowa has one of the better ones. They did a good job on stats on the pitcher being visible at all times, with hitters only slightly lesser so. Seats in the upper deck had a good view and the price was reasonable. Was nice to be able to get a pork tenderloin sandwich in a state known for it too. Still wish the Cubs let their minor league teams have their own identities, but Iowa did a good job of making it feel like their own outside of the Chicago win song at the end. Certainly better than South Bend did. Iowa has a good thing here for sure.

Dad and I went to see the I Cubs play against Omaha September 2 (12-0 W!; also a Chicago Cubs fan so love seeing both teams win). Due to a couple previous health circumstances causing him to struggle sometimes with long walking distances and preferring easier to access seats, we were looking to switch from our ticketed seats to something working to better suit that preference; hadn't been here before so wasn't aware the initial seats weren't gonna work great for that. The staff couldn't have been more friendly and helpful to try and assist with that effort and ultimately we found an excellent spot. Combining reasonable ticket prices, great staff and easy ballpark access, worth 5 stars

I'm not a die-hard baseball fan but I enjoy watching it live from time-to-time. It's all about the full experience, right? I've enjoyed every game I've seen here. I think it's great how they interact with the fans in the stands, all of the cool guests that are featured on occasion, the food is actually pretty decent, and yes, the fireworks at the end of the games are always spectacular! Ticket prices aren't insane and the grounds are meticulously maintained. I've even enjoyed an 18-hole miniature golf course here when they do Putt-Putt @ The Park. Great place!

We randomly decided to go to a Iowa Cubs game it was a lot of fun and the way baseball should be it was also very inexpensive and we all had a great time

Loud because it is right next to the interstate and a dam in the river, which takes away from the peacefulness of it. there was also a lot of bugs, and the path is not very handicap friendly. Looks cool from a far though.

Was easy to find and tons of parking to walk around and see everything the garden has to offer.

I recently visited the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden while in Des Moines for a former friend’s wedding and was completely charmed. Nestled along the Des Moines River, this peaceful garden feels like a hidden sanctuary right in the middle of downtown, an ideal spot to relax between wedding festivities. From the graceful koi pond to meandering pathways and its iconic red bridge, every corner feels artfully designed and thoughtfully maintained. I found myself unwinding on a bench just before the rehearsal dinner, soaking in the tranquil ambience, the gentle trickling of water, lush plantings, and seasonal blooms creating a perfect urban escape. Whether you’re pausing for wedding-day photos, casually strolling, or simply taking a breather before or after an event, the garden offers a moment of calm and reflection. The volunteers and staff keep the space impeccably clean and welcoming, and its central location makes it easy to pair a quick visit with a walk or bike ride to nearby reception venues. I absolutely loved how this garden adds a picturesque and meaningful backdrop to a wedding weekend in Des Moines. It elevated my experience, between ceremony, dinner, and dancing, it was the perfect escape. If you’re in town for a wedding or just need a tranquil spot to unwind and enjoy nature, the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden is an absolute must, highly recommend!

8.18.25 Clean, peaceful, beautiful views, a place to visit, sit, walk around. And it's free.

A very quick sight seeing spot. And nice walk along the lake.

Perfect place to take a nice relaxing slow walk and snap some photos!

I had no idea the information I’d discover here. I do wish people would just admire more instead of leaving their tags… can’t we just enjoy other cultures?!

This park was the most enjoyable park I've seen in Des Moines so far! The wading pool was SO cool. 1'4" Water was almost warmer than the 85 degree weather, it was so nice we got in in our street clothes haha! New neat park equipment. 10/10 recommend.

Never again. My family was harassed and surveilled at Ashby Park and the community deserves to know.We arrived at 6:30 PM, well before the posted 10 PM closing time, planning to grill and let our kids play. Other families were at the park, but our group myself (a Black woman), my white spouse, our friend, and our children were the only one singled out and monitored.First, an uniformed man with a dog walked slowly by, watching us closely. He returned a short time later and sat near us, silently observing. Then a second uniformed staff member arrived, walked a slow circle around our picnic table, and also sat down nearby, continuing the pattern of unwanted scrutiny. Eventually, the staff member said, “Sundown’s coming,” and told us he was “locking everything up,” warning we only had a few minutes to grill despite having just arrived. The park was still open, and no other group was approached.As we continued enjoying what little time we had left, a white SUV sat parked watching us the entire time, not engaging, just watching. It pulled off the moment we began packing up to leave and immediately after, the same staff member pulled in again.We weren’t loud, we weren’t breaking rules. We were a peaceful family at a public park. But from the moment we arrived, we were surveilled, intimidated, and clearly made to feel we didn’t belong.This wasn’t just uncomfortable it felt deliberate.I do not recommend Ashby Park to Black families or interracial couples/ families, especially near sundown. What happened tonight was not equal treatment. It was a clear message: this space may be public, but it is not equally welcoming to all.

Ashby is one of our favorite parks in the metro. The playgrounds are fun on their own, but the standout attraction is the splash pool. It’s a great spot for little kids to cool off while parents enjoy the shade.

Not too crowded and well kept. My son had a lot of fun woth the small playground for toddlers. Great area to picnic while the little ones play!

Ashby park is well maintained and very family friendly. It has new playground equipment for a variety of ages and includes swings for children with special needs. It has a splash-pad and two tennis/pickle ball courts.

Great splash pad and playground equipment. Wish there were more bathroom stalls, especially since it is a busy park. Shelter is nice. Walking trail with an activity right now.

This park is wonderful for everyone of all ages. The splash pool is about a foot deep and almost the entire park is shaded by trees.

David Behrens was busting his ass yesterday at the lauridsen skate park in Des Moines IOWA. one of the categories that I wanted to focus on this year was action shots and this was my first time shooting a skate related sport.

I love this park! There's so many things to do so it's great for anything you bring whether it's a skateboard, scooter, bike or rollerblades! Great flow to thrash up and down the park nonstop! The art is awesome to look at as you're there. Right next to the river and bike path. Quite a bit of space for parking. Everyone I've interacted with is friendly and always willing to help or teach one another. 😁🤙🏽

Well... it's impressive and large. Concrete is smooth and wonderful. Plenty of spacious areas to try out street tricks plus so many transitions and three pools - one of which is freakishly deep!! Locals are very chill and friendly. The overhead lights are very bright and are great to continue skating after sunset. The lights go dim at 10pm and then completely off at 10:30. Parking lot is lit at night too, but be sure to stow away stuff as it's not directly connected to the skatepark. Overall, highly recommended!

This park what's pretty clean and amazing gives you beautiful views of the Mississippi River it also has people here at night and day. If you come at night you'll be able to see rabbits running wild

If you don’t skate, it’s still great. A lot of people are picnicking on the hills and under the trees. There’s a great view of the city and the Des Moines River, and you might even catch a competition. If you do skate, it has everything you want. It’s one of the biggest and best skateparks in the U.S.

An amazing world-class, USA Skateboarding certified, skate park, offering smooth concrete and a cornucopia of obstacles for all skill levels! Please enjoy these photos I took of this beautiful place!

A great skatepark, and the largest in the country. Easily worth the 2-hour drive from Omaha to get to, even if all you're visiting for is just the skatepark. If I had the chance, I'd imagine I could skate this park every day and not get tired or bored of it, with how big it is and how much variety there is to it. It has literally everything a skater of all skill levels could want. When I've been there it understandably has been popular and busy, but the park is big enough that it really isn't an issue. Just keep an eye out where you're going and you should be fine!

Beautiful building. Parking was crazy. Seats were close together. Wish they served Dr Pepper.

My family traveled over 8 hoursfrom Cheyenne Wyoming to see Hamilton (crazy, I know) but it did not disappoint. The experience was unforgettable. Walked in and couldn’t get my tickets on the app and the ladies calmed me down and helped me out right away! The concession staff were so friendly. The facility was fantastic. Not a bad seat in the house. Hamilton was epic! So glad we made the decision to drive to Des Moines!

If you go there, please pack a bright flashlight. Lighting is not adequate on the stairs during the shows and the ushers sit at the bottom on the stairs so you can only use one side of the stairs if you need to leave the auditorium for some reason during the show. So, pack the bright light and save yourself an emergency room visit or a broken leg.

We've been to numerous shows here, musicals and comedy shows, it's great every time! Arrive early for time to use the restroom and grab a drink. Sometimes lines can be long the 10-15 min leading up to the show. Service is great though!

The venue was clean and easy to navigate. The views of the stage were unobstructed and the slope of the seating made it so the person in front of you is low enough where they dont impede your vision. The seating, however, was like being in economy class on an airline. Very narrow seats, and the only isles were on the extreme ends of the hall. So, if your seat was in the middle of the row, you had to squeeze past 40 or so people in either direction to get out. So if you had to use the bathroom mid-show, you would have to disturb a lot of people along the way.

If you’re trying to buy a single ticket sale for Wicked this year, you’re out of luck. Wicked was specifically excluded from the single ticket sale that happened on August 8, 2025. Tickets are currently only available by purchasing the entire Willis Broadway series season ticket package. This is draconian BS. We can only see Wicked if you buy the entire package? Get bent. Most of us don’t wanna go to every single show in your stupid package. But you hold Wicked over our heads like a whip. “Oh, you wanna see Wicked? You better buy a ticket for every single show, or else you can’t go.” What the hell is wrong with you people?

Went to see Josh Gates here and it was a great venue for it.

I would label this a must-do if you are in the Des Moines area. The mansion is beautiful and there’s actually quite a bit to see here. The tour is super affordable ($5) and our docent was very knowledgeable. The history behind the house is really cool and it’s very pretty.

Toured with a small group and found the docent to be very knowledgeable and helpful and willing to look up info on questions she didn't know offhand. The home is beautiful and although the tour is short, it's well worth it. Lots of unique history behind this governor's mansion!

Great informative tour. Tour gives a very detailed history of this majestic historic home and it is beautifully maintained.

The house was beautiful and Greg did an amazing job with the tour. Definitely a must see in Des Moines!

Kent was a great tour guide. This is a must-do tour in Des Moines! Kent was so knowledgeable and made our visit feel like we were watching the historic events themselves unfold in real time. Highly recommend, and also book your tickets in advance!

Very beautiful home from the 1860's, saved from calls to be torn down, and fully restored. Ironically, the third floor now functions as the residence for the Governor of Iowa.

Tour guide had great stories. The history of how the house became a governor's mansion is interesting.

This is a huge waterfront park with tons of parking and areas to use for sports, walks, dogs, etc. There’s a cute little beach and paved trails running through out. The only downside is the dog park is not free, you need to scan a code and app to pay $5. I didn’t feel like going to all that when there were plenty of other areas I could walk my dogs.

Took my daughter there to compete in here first USA Triathlon. The park is excellent. Clean with an open feeling, yet safe. The lakeside is beautiful. Peaceful. Clean bathroom facilities and covered areas by the picnic areas.

This park is excellent! We were here during the Raccoon River festival, which was awesome for kids. The new playground has a healthy mix of equipment and the rubber ground. My kids especially enjoyed the myriad of climbing ropes along with the big slides. There is ample parking, a nice swimming beach, and plenty of trails around the water.

Amazing urban park for the region. The infrastructure is in top shape and there were many people happily using the park in various ways when we visited yesterday.

We spent the weekend at the raccoon River Park baseball fields, which were very nice, very clean, the staff was present on site. You saw them in the bathrooms and changing the trash. They did a great job. The concession stand had lots of options, including adult beverages.Overall a great place to spend the weekend playing baseball.

Absolutely beautiful and brilliant park. The equipment is all ability inclusive. My 10 month old and 2 year old had a blast. So much for them to do and to climb on. Had a great time. The restrooms are closed for the winter but there is a portable potty there if you need it.

Playground! The new all inclusive playground is finished! I love that there’s an area that’s geared towards crawlers! My 12mo isn’t walking yet and he had so much fun. They used a fake grass for the little area and then that bouncy flat surface for the other areas. There’s a lot to do! I like and don’t like how spread out it is. I like that you don’t feel like you’re on top of people because it’s spread out but that does make it difficult to keep an eye on your kids. There is the best rope climbing center I’ve ever seen, the slide is big enough to be fun but not so big like other parks that get almost too high for little kids comfort. The bathrooms are still there and the shelters with lots of picnic tables. Regular swings in the swing area and 2 bucket swings over in the little kid area. It’s a really pretty view with so many trees and being raccoon River beachside. Cons making this 4 stars that I understand are relative. Bigger kids kept coming to play in the little kid area, I had to have my head on swivel and quick reflexes to make sure my little ones fingers aren’t stepped on or that he was knocked over. It’s spread out in a way that I can’t see all areas from a single point, I just told my kids to keep checking in with me as they played or I went and found them to check in. It was busy, I know as the newness wears off it will be more “normal”. My kids had a lot of fun! It was just a little more stressful than I was anticipating because of how busy it was. Make sure you check it out and if crowds stress you out plan your visit during slow times if you can. (Early morning / during school hours)

I really enjoyed my visit in this place! I learned a lot about the people of Iowa through the interactive activities. I will definitely recommend this place.

Career day for HyVee in Iowa. The event center was large and the banquet staff professional.

Teri was so helpful showing me where famous inventors and business people were. This showcase is a wonderful and unique city experience. Inspired!

It's not that clear where to park and it is expensive. I parked at the lot north two blocks and it was quite a ways to walk. The price was $8. I was there to see my granddaughter competition dance at Hy-Vee Hall. That was great the building was excellent.

There are better museums out there but this one is worth visiting to learn about Iowa's finest athletes. If you have a couple of hours to burn, check this place out!

the museum itself is great but I don’t recommend the “game room” at all most of the games ate our tokens or didn’t work it was super frustrating when we spent more money to continue playing

New volleyball display is amazing as are videos displayed in the 360 room. Hall of Pride is a fun interactive way to learn about Iowa.

Great library with a convient location. The staff are professional and extremely helpful. Bathrooms are always well kept. Quiet reading sections throughout, with comfortable seating. Limited amount of p.c.'s available for on-line use. Printers are available (0.25 per page). Huge supply of reading materials. There is a drive up window for drop-off and pick-up with limited hours. Plenty of handicap parking, and handicap access. It would be nice if they could extend their hours to 9pm. Large children's area, with several presentations available. I recommend using this location. (Groovy Meter: 7/10)

The childrens place is so comfy to seat around while you watch your children play. Restrooms are close by. Books are arranged on easy to see and choose for kids. Besides books they have great movies to take home for free, games, and hot spot. We spend two hours every time we go there and kids still want more time.

This is a very cozy library. It has a very good selection of books and a very kind staff.

Love all of the services available here. It is a beautiful facility. Great place for kids of all ages 0 to 82.

We visit at least 3 times a week! Everyone is friendly and the programs are all so good

I love this place and their propagation library. I heard it was empty though so I'll stop by soon to add more cuttings.

Felt comfortable inside. Was easy to locate books and staff felt welcoming.

Love this festival! I went twice this year. I took three children and we were busy and having a blast the whole time! Fun for the whole family! So much to see, do, and most importantly EAT! Yum! Parking can be tricky so figure that out before you leave home. Must see event!

Incredible event for Des Moines showcasing some of the best artists from around the US. Live music from great national acts, food trucks, and more. Family friendly. Great experience!

It is laid out very nicely, plenty of room for people to move about and not be cluttered in one area. Parking was easy in the ramps. It was raining and down pouring while we attended, but we just stayed under a canopy to ride it out. Also loved having beer on tap. We enjoyed ourselves.

4 full blocks of delicious food, cool and wacky art, and loads of fun. It's great for adults, families, couples, singles, and everyone in between. If you stay late there is love music to enjoy as well as adult beverages and more tasty food

Food prices are steep, as are some of the drinks, so be prepared to throw money around at this one. That being said, it is usually a good time (despite the heat), good free shows (love the Host Country!), and always a lot of talent to be seen. It's one of the quintessential summer things to do in Des Moines.

I have been going to this festival since it began, and it has changed a lot. more music, film festival, more sponsors, etc. it is generally a great event, though I do feel the quality of visual art has fallen some. I realize that is subjective, but I keep seeing the same type of themes and styles over and over. I also did not appreciate having to run the gauntlet of aggressive cell phone and other salespeople at the entrance. just my two cents.

The Des Moines Arts Festival is my favorite summer festival! It's hard to choose between all of the art, music, food, and kids activities. I highly encourage everyone to stop by and check it out during the last weekend in June.

Incredible children’s area. The books are organized so thoughtfully with children’s abilities and interests in mind. Extremely welcoming environment and great play area filled with lots of toys. Amazing space and staff

Probably my favorite library in Des Moines. Quiet, clean, aesthetically pleasing.

Everyone is helpful and friendly

(Translated by Google) It's a very nice place, I love the Spanish section, they always have very interesting books. (Original) Es un lugar muy agradable, me encanta la sección en español siempre tienen libros muy interesantes

This is a very well kept area with a walking bridge that goes across the river, a large skate park, some art. The trail system has an easy map to follow with some stops. The views are stunning. It was a sunny day when we visited and we took several photos there. If you want to bike, walk run or stroll this is the place to go.

Rotary Riverwalk Park Dam is a peaceful and scenic spot. Perfect for a short walk, relaxing by the water, fishing, or enjoying nature. The area is clean, well-maintained, and great for photos. It’s especially nice around sunset. A quiet little gem in town

Very nice riverfront park, enjoyed watching the skaters, swinging on the swing set people watching. The walk over the bridge was really cool, especially seeing the women achievement plaques at the midpoint. Very scenic. Also liked the Chinese square, there was a trail cutting through there. Unfortunately started raining and we had to cut our walk short but still enjoyed the area.

This is a beautiful, modern park with walking trails, swings, a skate park, fishing pier, and a stunning pedestrian bridge across the Des Moines River. The bridge crosses over to the Asian Garden, which is definitely also worth a visit. I did not notice any bathrooms but I also did not explore much by the skate park itself, so there may be some farther down from the bridge.

I am from ATL, but let me tell you… this park is designed for quality fun time for everyone. You can not be bored. Great place for pictures. Lots of skateboarders too

Could use a picnic area and maybe more along the path to engage kiddos. They had fun at the Asian garden and seeing the dam. Kept them in the stroller as the gating on the bridge seemed a little unsafe for kids.

Beautiful a core moment for me.

I took my daughter here it was absolutely breathtaking! We took lots of pictures on our digital camera and our phones. You can bring your own portable grill or use one of the Park's. There are lots of benches to sit and rest, as well as many tables to enjoy a picnic. I haven't made my way around the entire lake just yet, but it is definitely something I will be completing. Soooo peaceful!

Beautiful Park with 3 mi walking trail. Has accessible swim beach and playground. They also have rentals in the summer. The event center is available to rent all year, Beautiful venue.

Don't know where to start. This place is amazing and at no entrance fee.trails, bathrooms, the rentals. Back home we would not get into this Lake for less than 8 bucks every day. Thank you for such a beautiful place to hang out at while in town. 10 STARS!!!

Easter lake is a beautiful wooded getaway for the whole family. Lots of flowers, wildlife, birds, boat ramp, fishing docks, roped off swimming area with beach, volleyball, restrooms, shelter rental, playgrounds, barbecue picnic areas, and walking paths; all located inside the city.

I thought I like the old E lake more n had bigger trees that were all cut out n loud bummer music which i didnt care for. Well now the new E lake park is more better n inviting. No loud disturbing music, no smoking, no dogs on the beach, it's handicap accessible so that nice for those in need. Changing room n good bathrooms like 4. Great sand. Also a floating raft to swim too. So far this is my go to beach. Check it out the new upgrade.

I hadn't been to Easter Lake for a number of years. The Conservation Board really did a nice job of renovating the park with new trails and pedestrian bridge, very nice.

We were driving near Easter Lake, so we decided to make a stop to see the park. What a beautiful place! We really enjoyed the park area right alongside the shore of Easter Lake that is open to the public. There is a paved bike trail that circles the lake for a trip of just a little over 6 miles. There is also a gravel walking path. Lots of convenient entrances to the park area all around the lake. It was a beautiful fall day with lots of sunshine to light up the fall colored leaves. We can't wait to come back to enjoy the park soon.

We hosted a private event at the Union Park carousel the spring and it was a huge hit. Really inexpensive, and fun for the whole family.

Here on a Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. but the carousel is closed despite having hours listed as 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. I am visiting from Idaho and this is my only opportunity to come see this. Why is it closed? 😞

A old fashioned fun time for kids. Children are $.50 a ride and adults are $1 unless they are standing next to a kid helping them.

Park was clean and safe. Kids had a blast from the carousel to the water pad and everything in between!

Totally awesome! Loved it! My kids looooved the super cool old school slide designed like a rocket ship. Two separate brand new playground areas, and 50 cents to ride a historical monument with a real drum and xylophone, the carousel, even my teenager had fun! 5 stars!

Lovely little carousel to ride if you happen to be heading to downtown Des Moines. Adults $1, children $0.50

Love this park, we use to have our family reunions there 1960's-90's. I visited with my grandchildren summer 2018 & had a blast! Italian ice vendor that had a variety of flavors was delicious. Had a blast on the carousel! Kids loved the Giant Slide! Great cheap fun!

Paws and pints was clearly created by dog lovers for dog lovers...and it shows. From their caring team of employees who put up with all kinds of furry friends-- (Including our pup who can be aloof and assertive) to their promos and amenities... BRING. YOUR. DOG(S). The backyard has so many incredible spots for dogs to chase balls, sniff, and be entertained. The turf is constantly getting cleaned and well kept. The inside is a welcome relief from inclement weather. The membership might seem high...but the value is worth it!

By far, the BEST Dog Bar / Dog Park that I have been to in the COUNTRY! And I have been to Many! I plan my travels across country based off of towns with dog bars, and then hopefully stay at local businesses that offer Harvest Host for our RV. Our Stop in Des Moines has by far been the best. We even skipped another town and stayed so we could go to Paws & Pints another night. The staff was incredibly kind and attentive, especially (Kaylee?) The atmosphere is the absolute best place to have my dogs play and enjoy a drink. I can't wait to plan another trip to Des Moines and I live in Charlotte.

I love this place. On Sundays, we spend hours, like five hours, here. They have a massive TV so we can watch the game after church. Sometimes we miss church and go here. We have also been coming during the week in the evening, which is great. I have PTSD, so it is better for me to do that. But on Sundays, Milo's friends are there; I deal with it so Milo can see his friends. Not saying he doesn't play with other dogs when we are there; he just has a special group of smaller dogs his size.

What a gem! We stopped here for a quick lunch with our dog while on a family road trip. Good food! The chicken tacos and pulled pork were favorites. Good vibe place to take a break with your pup. Thank you Gabby for taking care of us! Thank you David for getting us a great spot on the patio!

They have a check in area. You will need your ID. They have a bar and resturant in side the building, then a patio with seating separate fro lm the two dog park. One is smaller with water features, and place for humans ro sit and relax while your dog plays. Then a larger gated area for your dog to run free, and you stroll behind them. Great place! 100% recommend!

Our first time at Paws and Pints and we didn’t know what to really expect! Our pup, Daisy-May is a pretty timid, but friendly girl. She’s a little over a year old, and she’s been in our lives only since this past September, but we thought to try and get her out of her comfort zone and see if socialization could benefit her. She was definitely a bit timid at first, but as the night progressed she truly came into her own! We were so happily surprised!!! The service at Paws and Pints is also wonderful. We arrived and unfortunately had forgotten Daisy’s immunization records, so we did have to drive back home and come all the way back to enter. We were so thankful the front desk rep was patient with us during this time. The attendants in Paws and Pints are also very attentive. Although it was our first time there, I thought it’d be best to have an extra eye on Daisy, but in the future, I feel like I could be laxer enough to let my dog roam without my extra supervision. The food was great too, a little pricey, but for bar food I was impressed. Overall, this place has a wonderful atmosphere. This is a place where if you love dogs and a cold drink, you’re absolutely in luck.

We were staying overnight at Walnut Woods on our road trip back home to IL. P&P was close enough for us to bring our 2 boxers for some fun. We really enjoyed it. Staff were nice, attentive, and have very clear instructions on how things operated. Grounds were very clean for such a large place - the occasional poop piles from inattentive owners in the larger grass area, but overall good. I have friends who go to places like this in the metro areas they live in and have always wanted to try one. So glad we did! I wish Peoria IL wasn't so behind the times and could support a business like this!

Much of the trail around the lake is condemned. The construction signs and barriers definitely distract from the beauty of the park. This the Trestle to Trestle trailhead is very close and is great and connects to several other local trails. Beautiful scenery. Well maintained, paved path plus lots of unpaved paths for hikers and mountain bikers. One of me and my dog's favorite!

A very picturesque, beautiful, well maintained garden. Worth adding to your trip.

Greenwood Park - Alright. Has a few pretty areas. Not very big. A large section is closed off by the water by a large fence. Also a lot of what looks like metal fencing stored around and on the ground, some looks like it's starting to rust. No drinking fountain in or around the park or nearby parks that I could find. There are trails there that go to other parks, only reason I could see going there. EDIT - this is for Greenwood Park, only went as far as the entrance to Ashworth Park looking for a water fountain.

This place has fan to stay single track mountain biking, hiking or trail running trails.

Went in late October when the temperature dropped. Enjoyed the trail and fall foliage in a brief visit. Very nice little park in the middle of the city. Despite that it's a cloudy day, the colors were beautiful and rich.

This is such a hidden gym of Des Moines, I have lived in Iowa my whole life and never knew about this park. It is such a fun park with plenty of nature and relaxing scenery. It’s a great place for a date for a family gathering.

Great Pleace to take Pictures! So many different places with Beautiful scenery!

We came last year in late Sept and was extremely disappointed as 90% of the kids rides were shut down, as well as over half the adult rides. We came back this summer and was extremely impressed! Everything was open! Wait times weren't long AT ALL! Staff at all the rides were all friendly, the staff at the concession stands were not, however. Overall, it was a much better experience this summer than it was last fall! The food is never anything to brag about, especially for the price, but nice to have the option for food throughout the day. Also, get an adventureland souvenir cup for cheaper refills!

Adventureland is a super nice little park. I appreciate the attention to detail that went into making the front entrance, entrance plaza, and Main Street area look nice. This place has received some great investment in recent years and it really shows. The roller coaster collection is really solid. Monster is an amazing ride that is very unique. Super fun, a long ride, and a really ride to just watch it go around. Also shoutout to the operations here for always keeping the line moving. They made a Monster wait that was posted at 60 minutes only 23 minutes. They also have some great food here. I got a cup of fresh made cookies, and some cheese fries, that were both delicious. Overall the place has a nice, homey feel to it, it’s well taken care of, and overall just a well managed, nice little park. I’d recommend checking out Adventureland if you find yourself in the Des Moines area. Be warned though, everything closes in high winds so check the forecast before coming out.

I visited the chicken restaurant near the Monster ride and bumper cars, and the experience was completely unacceptable. The place was filthy, slow, and poorly maintained. I was served a raw chicken sandwich, and it took another 25 minutes to get a replacement. There was only one person cooking during the entire hour I waited, and both the kitchen and condiment area were visibly dirty (see pictures). The staff was short and rude, but to be fair, they were clearly overwhelmed and working alone—something that should never happen in a food service setting. I also watched as no meat thermometer was used to ensure the food was properly cooked, and several other guests were having issues with their meals as well. This is especially upsetting because I just purchased a season pass, and this was only my second visit to the park. Serving undercooked food and operating in unsanitary conditions is a serious health and safety violation. I strongly urge you to address staffing shortages, enforce proper food safety protocols, and improve cleanliness immediately. Guests deserve better.

Phantom Fest totally rocked! It’s like a classic amusement park cranked up with eerie after-dark vibes—think spine-tingling haunted houses, shambling zombies, towering stilts-walking beasts, and endless swirling fog. Perfect for fall festival fans and thrill-seekers who love those heart-pounding coasters 🎢. Grab the fam and dive into the fun!

Unless you have season pass parking is $22. Food and drinks are very expensive. Pizza is $17.99 which is smaller than a small pizza. I can get a large pizza from Domino's at that price. Wait in line 30 -35 minutes for rides. Spend more time walking to get my swim stuff for Adventure Bay. No ski lift to other side of park. Rides like the Gallon, the lighthouse Ride and Dragon roller-coaster not there. Not worth my time and money.

Definitely worth the price and prices inside the park aren't too extravagant. They even have decent $10 sandals you can buy at the water park and 50% off shirts for$12. I could of gone on all the rides if I wanted to on a Saturday!

Had a blast. We bought the pass to get on quicker and glad we did. Able to do all 5 haunted houses that evening. It was fun. Plenty of security which I suppose is a good thing. I know last time I was there kids were running around causing trouble. There was none of that.

Took my 1&1/2 yr old granddaughter there a few weeks ago and it was a blast. We both had a great time!. I'm going to take her again but this time I'm bringing a change of clothes and swimming gear. There's a splash pad and a great playground for younger kids as well as older ones. You could plan a whole day there. There were open grilling locations with picnic tables and trash cans. I think there's a public bathroom as well. We're gonna make it a family tradition to go every year! ❤️😊

Fantastic! Really impressed! This was our first time. The carousel was awesome, the playgrounds are great and next time we need to bring swim stuff to the little water area! There were public restrooms. Everything is within walking distance. 10/10 would recommend!

This is a great place. Went for the carousel which had just closed because it closes when school starts. But the splash pad was a big hit on a warm day. It's bigger than I thought. There's actually a 'quasi lifeguard ' for the splash pad because there's some water depth you can swim like an alligator in. (I'm from Florida. ) the creative red white and blue rocketship playground is a blast! And invokes America in the mid west. I loved it!

Large park that has plenty to do for children and adults for a park. Carousel and swing set for the kids and a "plan your own route" walking/bicycle path that you can do laps or make-shift trail. Open and clean park. ALWAYS look out for vehicles as the roads/pathways double as the roads for vehicles. Parks close at 10:00 or 10:30 PM...if I remember right. Police do patrol occasionally, so definitely a safe place for families. On the other side of Cornell there is a children and families picnic area. Bathrooms through the area, but as always, should probably bring your own toiletries and hand sanitizer because most often than not, they will be empty.

Love the splash pad! Don't just leave your kids there though, like stay with them would you? Or at least have one of the adults in your group watching these kids, I see kids ALMOST get hurt all the time, and sometimes they do, and it's usually when I can't find a parent anywhere near. The staff do their best, and my favorite lady runs a TIGHT ship (almost never see kids even get close to hurt with her there, I love her energy) but there are some staff that are unfortunately less assertive (for pretty obvious reasons, some kids and parents can be pretty aggressive if they feel like you're yelling at them or correcting them) but overall, it's a great place to be! We also love the carousel, the elderly lady I usually see running it is a doll, we love Union Park! It's one of the reasons we live here!

What a fun playground. There are three different playgrounds here and a carousel! It’s so beautiful and even when it is busy there is so much space here.

Kid loved both sections. 4 and under and the 5-12. Had a spaceship/obstacle course feel to it. My kid said we're headed to planet earth! Parts are hard to get into if you need to grab your kid out, lol, and I'm 5ft, but a bit round.

This was a wonderful place to just relax and let the kids enjoy the water and lights there is also some nice bars and restaurants within walking distance

Water feature for cooling off and ample seating. Occasionally they have concerts there. Nice open spot downtown to take a break. Pictured is performance group Squonk Brouhaha

Water feature for cooling off and ample seating. Occasionally they have concerts there.

Across the street from the Des Moines Civic Center, most people have probably walked/drove by this place while visiting Des Moines. There is a really cool structure at this park that gets lit up with different colors at night. Otherwise, it's just an open space in the middle of downtown Des Moines that sometimes get booked by political candidates while visiting Iowa during campaign season for rallies.

Nice common area downtown with plenty of benches to sit on, a gorgeous water fountain, and several bars and eateries close by. The city does a good job keeping the place clean and caring for the trees and plants there. I walk though almost everyday and it is rarely busy except once or twice a month when an event will be hosted there.

Pete Up in the Park at Cowles Commons! What a great location in town! I got to see Pete Buttigieg in person! Thank you Des Moines!

Had never really been to this place before.Since our son and daughter-in-law were in the dam to Des Moines race and very impressed

Very fun! For the tubing, the conveyor belt you wait on to get to the top of the hill is a little rickety and you still mostly have to walk to the top so it can get exhausting. We always enjoy Sleepy Hollow though especially for the Renn Faire!

This place was amazing!!!! Very underrated!!!! We spent about $160 for the tickets for 7 of us to go there. Not only was it a great place for the kids to have fun My husband and I had a blast!!!! Then we walked down the trails to where they set up for the Renaissance fair/haunted houses area and we got to walk through the buildings!!!!! So super fun. I would definitely recommend this place for families that want to have fun together with all ages. Worth every Dollar we spent!!!!

Stopped by for a day at the Renaissance...Great experience, location is perfect. Jousting, sword fighting, battles with knights....tons of shows and activities for all. ************************************* We went back for a second stop for the Fall version on Sept 13 and had another great time. More knights battling and jousting throughout the day and the puppies searching for treasure was a great show as well. The food served in bread bowls is always a treat and the whole cast of characters make it a fun day.

We came here for their Renaissance Faire and had a blast. It wasnt crazy expensive, but there's tons of little shops inside to spend money on! The shows were fun and had high energy! Costumes were fun and made everything very playful. This is more of a fantasy faire compared to a true Renaissance Faire. Nonetheless still had a great time!

Came here for the Renaissance fair. It was awesome! Always a fun time.

Lots of fun! Ren gaire is great. Parking is dicey. Its a long walk from the parking to the entrance. Take a lotnof cash because most places there dont take cards. Buy your tix before you go.

The Sleepy Hollow Renaissance Faire is worth the fees for both entry and parking. The medieval village makes it a better festival than many others that only have modern tents set up. The Queen and King of the Pirates make it even more fun.

So this is a large riverside community park with miles and miles of connecting trails. As is the case with many metro area parks, vagrants are present, particularly on the interconnected trails up and down the river. Graffiti, trash and debris at multiple locations. Once I was passed by two law enforcement vehicles on the trail, I knew it was not the venue for me. Pretty setting and the main park area was very nice. Parking is sufficient for any size rig or RV. I had full bars of Verizon 4G LTE Roaming.

This was our second time going to Riverview Park for a concert. What a great venue. It's large, so you can put your chair anywhere and still have a great view. The sound is amazing. The stage itself is beautiful, with multicolored lights adding to the experience. If you go for Rendezvous on Riverview, you get food trucks and drink options in addition to the free concert. We went on July 5th and there were fireworks too!! Well done Des Moines!! This is a great park, rich in history (I read the entire story every time I go there), with a fun playground for the kids. They just added real bathrooms, so if you take the kids there for a picnic, you don't have to use a portable potty. All around great!!

One of the more unique playgrounds I have ever seen. My kids had a blast! If you are in the area and weather cooperates, you should for sure bring the kids here.

Great new park that has many options for inclusion for children with special needs. There is a merry-go-round that has space to roll in two wheel chairs. There are two bucket swings with pull down support braces and a zip line with a bucket swing. Several portions of the main climbing structure can also be accessed by children in mobility devices. The paths in the park are made of smooth, wide sidewalks. The play areas have the thickest, most comfortable surface I've ever felt. There are lots of built in benches for parents to sit and watch kids play. There is a section with some shading dedicated to smaller children that has rocking horses and spinning seats and a merry-go-round that is low to the ground for smaller children. There is another section that has musical instruments for the kids to play. The park also has a huge, open green space and a large bandstand for cultural events.

Amazing place to take your kids, my girls have a blast and have declared it there favorite Playground! I highly recommend

Fun Carnival Themed Park. 1. Good for little kids 2. Good for big kids 3. No bathrooms, but sometimes port-o-potties. There is one by the bridge. 4. Soft ground

Good place to fly your drone, just do it safely, being awary of othier people around at times, so do not get close to them. School kids come around, as they like to hang out there sometimes, so keep that in mind as to times to go. Lots of potential there for playgrounds for the kids, keep a close eye on them as lots of water also around.

Very clean and open area to play in for the children. Love the bright green color theme and the modern style playground. All in all very nice simple park. I would definitely add a splash pad of some sorts for the hotter days tho.

This park was redone recently. It is amazing and so much fun. They have a splash pad as well. The bathrooms are clean and the park is beautiful!

This was my first time back at Colby Park since they transformed the playground — and WOW… they did an amazing job! 😍 The new play structures are super modern, creative, and perfect for kids of all ages. There’s plenty of space to run around, climb, slide, and explore. It honestly feels like a brand-new park!

Great playground and a splash pad too! Nice bathrooms too.

Great playground! Our kids loved it. We stopped on a road trip for lunch and to get some movement. The signage for staying on the paved walkways was entertaining. The one star off is due to the bathrooms. They don't meet the expectation level of such a nice park and could use some improvements. Our son went with me into the women's because the men's was so filthy.

Nice children's play area, many picnic tables and a great band shell.

Parks is really fun and my boys have a great time. The playground does needs better upkeep. The very top of the slide has some bolts missing from the rubber mat. Very scary.

Went here for a Whiskey Meyers concert. The venue is nicely laid out and manicured. Nice that there are water fountains to fill bottles. My only suggestion would be to reconfigure the amount of port o pots to facilitate spectators. It's disheartening to pay good money to see an artist, only to spend a decent portion of the experience waiting for an empty toilet. Also, I would suggest that there be a few more alcohol vendors to support crowds as well.

ADA experience... Whiskey Myers' performance was a 5/5. It was a beautiful night, and the outdoor feel was fantastic. Most of the event staff was great as well, until it came to the security/Bully-ish seating staff that had No clue as to professionalism nor how to read a seating chart. :( I recently had a knee replacement. So, I try to purchase ADA seating whenever possible. It gives me more leg room and helps me to avoid uncomfortable seating situations or being crammed into the standard seats and then having knee problems for days after a show. We provided our ADA seating info. And... they (staff) had no clue where we were to be seated. One of the gate attendants assigned to our area of assigned seating instructs us to put our chairs in the grass to the left of the stage. (Glad we brought our own chairs, we paid for ADA seating, and it states chairs are provided but none where provided or available) My wife and I sat off to the side and couldn't have been happier! And then all a sudden, Ms. Suzy Security comes over and tells my wife and I we have to move off to the side of the assigned seating area and in an area where we no longer can see the stage! She even made a big scene in front of everyone, acting like we were the ones being unruly. By then, my wife just wanted to avoid conflict and would have sat anywhere, and I had become extremely annoyed and upset and may have been slightly unruly:) So I asked Suzi-security to show us Exactly where our assigned ADA seating was? And again, she had no clue and couldn't provide our assigned seats! She then informed me to either sit off to the side or "she could make us sit all the way in the back behind everyone else." I decided to drop it, and we went about our night. It was a great show, but this whole ADA seating experience just doesn't sit well with me. My bottom line is that I paid extra for these seats and feel like we were punished because they were unorganized. Last time I checked, if I pay for assigned seating, it should be provided, and if you can't provide it, a reasonable accommodation should be met. Otherwise, do not sell tickets for seats you are not able to provide... Just my opinion. Again, it was a great show. But the experience was less than enjoyable!

We attended the Beck and Des Moines Symphony Orchestra concert on 07/24/2025. Positives: All the staff were helpful and very nice. The campus is beautiful. Parking was easy and close. The vendor choices for drinks and food were very good. All the vendors we interacted with were friendly and super nice as well as a really good choice of foods and beverages. The sound was okay ( we were in the 4 th row). Negatives: The orchestra pit chair rows were extremely close together and without sounding dramatic, nearly dangerous for people to navigate due to how close the rows were. (Difficult navigation to get up and out and back to use the bathroom, people using canes, etc.). Also, at the center of the campus in front of the amphitheater, the grass was too long and should have been cut shorter for people to foot travel to and from. Also, picnic tables or tables and chairs for people to sit and eat or have a refreshment between the food trucks and amphitheater would have provided some comfort to attendees. When we left the concert, we think the vendors threw their ice and water out on the lawn, so walking around to the porta potties or back and forth, I was literally walking on some muddy water. (it had not rained.).

The Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park is incredible—a beautiful outdoor venue with amazing acoustics, spacious seating areas, and stunning views of nature all around. Whether you're catching a concert, festival, or community event, the vibe is always top-tier. Easy parking, clean grounds, and a layout that makes every spot feel close to the action. This is what outdoor entertainment should feel like!

I really, really enjoyed this facility. Beautiful crafted architecture! I recommend hosting events here! Respectfully, Madam Ambassador Dr. Nealy H.E. United Nations Peace Ambassador NGO ECOSOC Dr. Angela J. Nealy

I have attended 3 major concerts here over the past 2 years. I purchased reserved seating for 2. This last one, Beck, I decided to save $ and buy lawn tickets for my family & me. We got there early to be as far front in the lawn as allowed--security informed us that was as far front as we were permitted. Spectators/audience were not allowed to be on the wide concrete walkway between the lawn and the reserved seating to watch the concert. (Made sense) However, not long after Beck started, people from back on the lawn began congregating on the concrete. This continued through the concert creating a wall several feet deep of people standing in front of the people on the lawn. The security people who told us in the beginning no spectators on the walkway, did nothing. It greatly diminished the enjoyment of the event. I have since learned this has happened before. Overall, this is not a good venue for large shows. Having an "amphitheater" on flatland doesn't work. The traffic before & after shows is a nightmare, and the parking situation is not good.

Terrible venue. I have been to many concerts and venues and this was by far the worst experience. Traffic was a nightmare. Paid $20 for “reserved premium parking” that was supposed to guarantee a parking spot. But they closed it right as we got there because it was full LOL. Many others had the same experience so it sounds like they oversell parking spots to make money and don’t care that they screw people over. So we drove around/waited in traffic for 2 hours trying to get to other parking. We barely made it to the main act before it started. And don’t waste money on reserved seating, you can’t see anything at all unless you’re the first row.

This is a nice place to visit if your around the area. Good place to take your kids for a place to play. Which is what we did today. I asked the girl there to fill the bubble machine they got. My son likes watching the bubbles float. Well he kept opening their little doors in the room which is their supply area I believe and she got snooty about him opening the doors and told him to stop doing that now in a rude way. Will you stop doing that and I thanked her for filling the bubbles and she didn’t say a word or acknowledge me. The whole time she was glued to her phone anyway and not even observing other people in the room. I didn’t even feel welcome there after she was rude to my son so we just ended up leaving. If yall don’t want little kids opening your doors then put some locks on there. They sell many of them. Shop Amazon. No need to be rude to patrons. Besides your working around kids. Smile once in awhile and just be nice to people.

The staff was kind. The facilities are clean and modern. The experience of going to this library was deplorable. I looked for two books that were said to be on the shelf for 35 minutes, due to bad organization of books. Also, this library is clearly not a place to enjoy a book. It is more like a homeless shelter in its function, and the staff do what they can, but the city of Des Moines clearly doesn’t give a rat’s back end about security for the staff and the patrons who are there for THE BOOKS. I hated going to this library and will not consider it in the future for a literary pastime.

Decent space for quiet work in the common areas but if you want privacy and quiet in the meeting rooms forget it. People reserve the rooms then blast there music and socialize loudly. So if you are hoping to run a meeting without background noise you won't get that here.

I thought I would start coming here to do work first thing in the morning because it's such an amazing building. The security guard assumed I was homeless and told me I needed to wait outside before I could enter the library during normal business hours... so if you want to go somewhere where they automatically treat you like your homeless great place. It's more of a shelter than a library. The lady security guard is more like a intimidation tactic than anything the day prior I watched her kick somebody out for sleeping (more power to her) but than because I was watching her and what was going on she purposely walked out of her way to come near me while I was working and said good morning and not in a friendly way. If you feel the need to walk around and do that to normal tax paying patrons maybe you should find a different job.

Very cute! Has a kid area that I love. The families and staff we encounter are always incredibly kind! Specifically, I love seeing Minsu when we come! She is so friendly to the kids and I enjoy seeing her interact and connect to her community.

Having recently moved to Des Moines, I absolutely love this Library. The variety of subject matters, genres, languages and cultural origins of the reading materials and of the audiovisual materials is as broad and resource-filled as a library back East. The extremely well-educated staff, who are able to guide you to resources connected with the library, or connected with area University libraries, are extremely knowledgeable and helpful and I'm glad to spend much of my time here at the Central Library.

Got my new library card very simple to obtain. Computers are available and if need be there is help for you. Underground parking it's also a cooling center.

My 2 year old grandson loves to play at the indoor playground. We love that we have a place to take him to run and play.

Great spacious ballroom for me to teach my classes as well as checking out other classes. Staff has been helpful with music equipment and mask guidelines. Lots of information to help out with events and classes. Spacious and clean.

Great place to hold a baby shower!

Very clean and nice place. Bathrooms are cleanand top notch. The staff is friendly and always open to answering questions. The ball room is beautiful and clean. The parking is open and easy to get to as well as can take a lot of cars. All in all a good place and safe feeling.

The basketball court is pretty nice, make sure there aren't activities if you're going to play there. If you go when there aren't any events with small kids, the main attraction will be the indoor park which is nice for kids 4 and older give or take. It's a bit too big for toddlers despite the small area next to the park. The activities I've gone to were nice but could have used a bit more. As an example the ball pit was maybe 3 feet wide and super flimsy, it's something you'd see at a new parents house.

Great resource for the citizens of West Des Moines and the surrounding area. Very accessible to all and my daughter loves attending community education classes here!

Very nice exhibit and works, wall art and sculpture. Something for everyone. People there are very friendly and welcoming.

Nice gallery. Would like to see more variety. Really cool digital moving art. More of this please.

Great art, knowledgeable, accessible staff with vision, taste, and humor. You are guaranteed to find something that will surprise you.

Go. see. Enjoy!

Beautiful art, every time I'm there.

Just got a piece back that they framed and it looks amazing!

Not crowded when I went, some nice artwork

Nice track and well maintained area! My kids loved being able to ride their bikes on a fun course. Definitely going to come back!

I have not personally used the BMX features here, and do not do any BMX biking myself. But I wanted to leave a positive review since I have often found myself in this area while going on a walk or a run. It is well-maintained and taken care of. Nice-looking location and a great amenity to have on the south side. Anyone who is interested in this kind of activity would enjoy coming out here for it.

It is really fun and it's free.also the track gets good care so it's not all messed up.

Family friendly fun for all ages!

Great track. Well maintained and always pretty open. This track is for non motorized vehicles. Porto potties, garbage, full parking, green space, and a water fountain at the bottom of the hill @ ashley okland. Worth a visit

Well organized and run BMX races, nice track, fun and exciting for the whole family, classes for all ages; 5 and under to over 50, Rad!

Is this a city owned park or a privately held club? Kind of curious because it looks and reads like a city owned (taxpayer owned) park but they want you to join a club and pay dues to use it?