Things to Do in Urbandale

This 500 acre, open air museum tells the story of Midwestern agriculture and rural life. Interpreters in period costumes recreate daily routines of early Iowans. Visit the 1700 Farm, 1850 Farm, 1875 Town, 1900 Farm and Modern Exhibit Center. Open daily May 1 through September 1 and Wednesday through Sunday September 3 through October 19.

Adventureland Park has more than 100 rides, shows and attractions, including three great roller coasters. Rides for all ages are available, from mild to wet-and-wild. Shows throughout the park feature a variety of family entertainment.

Prairie Meadoes features 1,900 slot machines, table games including poker and blackjack, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing spring through early fall, simulcast racing, restaurants, concessions and lively lounges. There is free admission and valet parking. Prairie Meadows is accessible to persons with disabilities. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Iowa Speedway 1 mile track offers high-speed, pulse-pounding racing events.

Wells Fargo Arena is a world-class showcase for today's top stars, big sports and your own unique events. It is home to the Iowa Wild AHL Hockey Team, the NBA D-League team, Iowa Wolves and the Iowa Barnstormers Arena Football team.

Hy-Vee Hall/Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Wells Fargo Arena and Polk County Compex comprise the Iowa Events Center in Downtown Des Moines. The $217 million center provides more than 300,000 square feet of connected space. Hy-Vee Hall and Veterans Memorial Auditorium offer general session seating for up to 17,000, 17 break-out rooms and tradeshows for up to 1,020.

The Polk County Convention Complex (Plex) is located downtown connected to the skywalk system with 50,000 square feet of exhibit space for groups of up to 4,000.

5,900 square acre reservoir offering miles of bike and hike trails, nature center with butterfly garden, fishing, hunting, sailing, boating, waterskiing and watersports. Saylorville is located near the communities of Johnston and Polk City.

Camp Dodge is home to the Iowa Army Air National Guard, Gold Star Museum, ESGR Employer Support of the Guard, MCTC Midwest Counterdrug Training Center, the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, and Marine Corps Recruiting Battallion.

Schedule a tour of our Iowa Capitol. This is intended for groups of 10 or more. Smaller groups should call 515.281.5591. Tours can be scheduled Monday through Saturday.

Imagine a place where you can have a wild family adventure viewing rhinos or feeding a giraffe while also helping preserve animals for future generations. A portion of the proceeds from your visit to Blank Park Zoo is used to protect animal populations throughout the world.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market is presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines and produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Reputed for its huge collection of the Midwest's ornamental and native plants, this 14-acre center bordering the Des Moines River features a domed conservatory that houses over 1000 varieties of exotic plants from throughout the world.

This internationally acclaimed museum houses impressive works by artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keefe and Henri Matisse.

Beautiful park with a trail and water feature in downtown Des Moines.

Open to visitors since September 2009, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 of the world's most celebrated artists. The 4.4 Acre park, located within a major crossroads of the urban grid, creates a pedestrian friendly entranceway to downtown Des Moines.

Minor League Baseball Park

Engaging and inspiring a love of science on-site and across the state.

Upscale shops and restaurants in West Des Moines.