Des Moines, Polk County, IA
Places to go in Des Moines
22 scouted venues — the coffee shops, restaurants, parks, and hidden corners we think are worth your time.
Outdoors
Ashby Park
This 11-acre park features a splash pool, tennis courts, a playground, grills, trails & more.
3200 38th St, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA
Outdoors
Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park
13084 Elk Horn St, Carlisle, IA 50047, USA
Outdoors
Big Creek State Park
8794 Northwest 125th Avenue, Polk City, IA 50226, USA
Outdoors
Birdland Park
Park on a lake with trails, a marina & a boat ramp, plus enclosed shelters to reserve in advance.
2100 Saylor Rd, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA
Outdoors
Brown's Woods
Wildlife preserve filled with oak & hickory trees as well as trails for hiking & geocaching.
465 Brown's Woods Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
Outdoors
Cowles Commons
221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Outdoors
Des Moines Water Works Park
Daytime spot with jogging & cycling trails, fishing, a picnic area with grills & sports fields.
2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA
Outdoors
Easter Lake Park
2830 Easter Lake Dr, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA
Outdoors
Ewing Park
Spacious park with playgrounds, an 18-hole disc golf course, a pond & a lilac arboretum.
5300 Indianola Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA
Outdoors
Fort Des Moines Park
Community recreation space with large picnic shelters, a playground & trails, plus a fishing lake.
7200 SE 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA
Outdoors
Gray's Lake Park
167-acre park featuring a 1.9-mi. lighted walking path around a lake with small boat rentals.
2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA
Outdoors
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Seasonal blooms showcased outdoors & in a geodesic dome, plus educational programs & art shows.
909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Outdoors
Greenwood - Ashworth Park
Public recreation area with playgrounds, a splash pad & picnic shelters, plus a pond & rose garden.
4500 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA
Outdoors
Jester Park
Equestrian center, golf, hiking, wildlife observation deck & campsites along Saylorville Lake.
12130 Northwest 128th Street, Granger, IA 50109, USA
Outdoors
MacRae Park
Green space on a bluff with dramatic downtown views, tennis courts, a pond & a playground.
1021 Davis Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA
Outdoors
McHenry Park
1012 Oak Park Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA
Outdoors
Raccoon River Park
Large sports & recreation venue with athletic fields, a swimming beach, fishing pier & nature trail.
2500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
Outdoors
Riverview Park
Sprawling city park known for its green expanses, biking & walking paths & numerous bodies of water.
Riverview Park, 710 Corning Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA
Outdoors
Robert D. Ray Asian Garden
Garden park featuring an Asian pavilion, stone pagodas, a pond, a series of waterfalls & more.
700 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Outdoors
Union Park
Public park since 1892, with an old-fashioned carousel, water play area, BBQ grills & sports courts.
725 Thompson Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA
Outdoors
Walnut Woods State Park
260-acre nature reserve with trails, camping, river boating & fishing & a 1930s lodge for rentals.
3155 Walnut Woods Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
Outdoors
Yellow Banks Park
Large park providing scenic bluff views, camping, hiking, fishing & a Native American burial mound.
6801 SE 32nd Ave, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327, USA