- Our list of the best things to do in Des Moines, Iowa, features the top 83 nearby activities — including 35 great attractions with user approval ratings of 90% or more!
- Des Moines, IA has a variety of great sights and experiences nearby. Top categories include: Entertainment & Shows, Outdoor Places, Museums & Galleries, and Amusement.
- The results below include the top 28 things to do within the city of Des Moines, IA , followed by 55 popular activities in nearby cities, including West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, Indianola, Altoona, Madrid and Johnston
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Enjoy authentic, northern Italian cuisine including delicious antipasto and pasta dishes
31.3 Miles
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Rusty Wallace Racing Experience- Iowa Speedway
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3333 Rusty Wallace Drive, Newton, IA 50208
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With a 7/8th mile paved, oval track, visitors at Rusty Wallace Racing Experience- Iowa Speedway can take an instructional class before heading to the track for laps. Visitors can choose to ride along with a professional or drive solo.
31.9 Miles
The Charles & June Calhoun Park is a small city park connecting to the Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Those looking for a place to picnic may be interested in the park due to its picnic shelter and walking paths.
32.1 Miles
Motorsport fans come to the Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa for hours of hi-octane, adrenaline-fueled fun. The Raceway hosts a variety of races, monster truck rallies, demolition derbies and concerts.
32.6 Miles
Ada Hayden Heritage Park is a lakeside park with boat access. The park features several short walking trails as well as picnic areas and bike paths. The lake is also suitable for fishing.
33.1 Miles
A family owned and operated winery, Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyards makes a variety of wines with local character and flavor. They host weddings and special events, and welcome visitors for tastings.
33.6 Miles
The main focus of McHose Park is an 18-hole disc golf course. The course is mostly flat but has very long overall distance and challenging old growth trees and underbrush hazards.
34.1 Miles
Featuring the 6.5-acre McFarland Lake, McFarland Park provides 5.5 miles of trails suitable for hiking and biking. It can be used for fishing, picnicking, camping and exploring the woodland, tallgrass prairie and stream habitats located in the park.
34.7 Miles
Come play in the snow at Seven Oaks Recreation in Boone, Iowa. Skiing, tubing, snowboarding, snow shoeing and a host of other exhilarating winter activities make a visit to Seven Oaks a great vacation idea. This destination also rents skis and snowboards.
34.7 Miles
Camp Hantesa is a youth summer camp specializing in encouraging children to find their inner creativity and voice. The camp offers after-school programs, summer camp programs as well as special events.
34.8 Miles
Run by a regional historical society, Boone County Historical Center provides visitors with historical and cultural information about the area. The center has exhibits with artifacts like fossils, Native American tools, taxidermy, and more.