If you are looking for some exciting day trips from Des Moines for a fun day out, here are some ideas! Many of these Des Moines day trips are free or of low cost as well, making them accessible for college students or families. Have fun on your trips!
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption
Located in West Bend, Iowa, this awe-inspiring shrine is a three hour drive from Des Moines. On the way, you can stop at the World’s Largest Ball of Popcorn in Sac City. It is made of minerals, shells, fossils and more from around the world. Inside, are stories from The Bible depicted from these materials. Over 100,000 people visit the shrine each year.
C.C. Wolf Mansion Historical Home
Only an hour and a half from Des Moines, the C.C. Wolf Mansion Historical Home located in Parkersburg, Iowa contains a treasure trove of fascinating artifacts. It is not only a history of the family that lived there but of the town itself, as it has relics from the town’s past. Nearby is the town of Iowa Falls, which is fun to stroll around!
Iowa Quilt Museum
Quilts adorn the walls of this museum, many depicting stories or feelings personal to the artists. This museum, located in Winterset Iowa, only 45 minutes from Des Moines, has both a history of quilting and different quilts in its rotating exhibit area. Each quilt is a work of love! Nearby is the Rusty Star Alpaca Farm, open on Saturdays, where people can feed a farm full of fluffy alpacas.
Frisian Farms Cheese House
Pella, Iowa, only 45 minutes from Des Moines, is known for its beautiful tulips and Dutch buildings, but it also has delicious cheese at Frisian Farms Cheese House. Guests can sample bites of cheese after walking around the city of Pella. Their gouda, especially their smoked gouda and pepper-y gouda, are fantastic. On the way is the Neil Smith Wildlife Refugee, where bison roam!
Ledges State Park
Ledges State Park, around 45 minutes from Des Moines, is stunning in the fall, when the leaves are turning. It is great for hiking and photography, as its multi-layered sides present a picture of fall. The trip there too is gorgeous, taking you past Iowa farms and skies.
Des Moines Day Trips
Enjoy these Des Moines day trips. While the city has lots to offer, so does the rest of Iowa. Explore while you are in the state!
