Staycation in Greater Des Moines

Why skip town this summer when you still haven’t experienced everything in Greater Des Moines (DSM)?

Take a break from the everyday and act like a tourist in your own area code. Your DSM staycation can take many forms, covering both city sights and rural escapes. Go from agri-tourism adventures to museum-hopping, or camping to ‘coasters.

Steal these itinerary ideas to jumpstart your planning:

Agri-Venture Through Warren County

Farm-to-table dining, locally sourced sips and scenic bike rides make wandering Warren County summer bliss. Plan your visit around a special event or simply stroll through the gardens at Rose Farm in Norwalk (pictured below), where sweet tea is always on tap.

Cyclists can follow the trail through Middlebrook Agrihood in Cumming to arrive at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm, where the restaurant, bakery and market serve fare made with the freshest ingredients. On the return trip, stop into Iowa Distilling Company for handcrafted cocktails.

After a morning of berry picking at Edge of the Woods Raspberry Farm, savor warm afternoons at West Hill Brewing, an award-winning brewery and taproom in Downtown Indianola. (Another option for sips? The Local Vine, also in Downtown Indianola.) Find a full list of activities across a variety of itineraries on the Wander Warren County website.

Where to Stay

Middlebrook Agrihood and Rose Farm both have on-site accommodations. But if you’re feeling bold, try Tatanka Ranch in New Virginia. Here, the breakfast patio looks out onto a bison farm and surrounding timber. Have a big group? Check out this rental at Summerset Winery. All booked up? Explore other unique lodging options in Warren County.

Lounge Lakeside and Escape to the Outdoors

The Midwest loves its Great Lakes, and Iowans love Okoboji and Clear Lake in northern Iowa. But there are some spots right in DSM where you can paddle, splash, fish and relax.

Vacation rental cabins make Horn’s Ferry Hideaway a relaxing headquarters for aquatic adventures around Lake Red Rock. Each cabin offers a plush king-size bed and queen sleeper sofa, extra-large Jacuzzi tub for two and separate shower, fully equipped kitchen, fireplace and air conditioning, internet and satellite television and a screened porch. Rent a boat from Red Rock Marina, or find your balance on a stand-up paddleboard.

Fishing along Lake Panorama (pictured above) is more fun when you know exactly where to put in your pole. Download this free map from Lake Panorama Fin and Feather. Stay in the Panora area, or camp at Springbrook State Park. A multifamily cabin called the Sherburne House is perfect for large families or groups, and the lake is a popular destination for swimming and kayaking.

Discover Fox Forest Wildlife Area in Montezuma near Lake Ponderosa and Diamond Lake.This 621-acre wildlife area is one of the largest natural resource areas in Poweshiek County. It features oak-hickory timber, native and reconstructed prairies, wetlands and miles of hiking trails. Eastern wild turkeys stocked in 1985 have reproduced successfully over the decades.

Collect Culture, History and Art Experiences Across DSM

Satisfy your curiosity with trips to the region’s must-see museums. Think beyond a daytrip and book overnight accommodations so you can enjoy the exhibits at a more leisurely pace.

Traverse All 500 acres of Living History Farms

It’s an interactive journey across hundreds of years, from the 1700 Ioway farm to the 1850 Pioneer Farm and 1900 Horse-Powered Farm to the re-created 1876 town of Walnut Hill. Collectively, these sites tell the story of how Iowans transformed the fertile prairies of the Midwest into the most productive farmland in the world. Walking trails and tractor-drawn carts connect visitors to the historical farms, where historic interpreters (pictured below) work the authentically land and share information. Stay just down the street at the pet-friendly Revel Hotel. This 4.5-star hotel celebrates the heritage of the heartland with ultramodern aesthetics.

Want to Take In Open-Wheel Race Cars?

Book a room at the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites – Knoxville to stay just down the street from the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum. The museum, which opened in 1991, covers the history of sprint car racing like no other place in the world. Located at turn two at the Knoxville Raceway, it operates year-round seven days a week for race fans to learn more about sprint car racing. An average of 30-35 open-wheel race cars are always on display and the exhibits and race cars are loaned to the museum by the owners and fabricators who have restored the race cars. Knoxville Sprint Car Nationals, the “granddaddy of sprint car racing”, happen in early August.

Want to Be Immersed in Art?

Head to Grinnell. Include the Grinnell College Museum of Art in your itinerary, as well as a public art tour. Up for more walking? Go on the Architectural Treasures Walking Tour. Want to create your own art? Check out the Stew Makerspace. Stay at the Hotel Grinnell, a boutique hotel built in the junior high building that served the city from 1921 until the 1970s. Extend your trip to nearby Pella, which also has opportunities for aficionados to be immersed in art and entertainment.

There are so many things to do in Greater Des Moines (DSM)! From events and festivals to major attractions, living in DSM means having fun is a given. Check out the trails, Broadway shows, sports teams and more throughout the region. Find out what each community has to offer and build connections in DSM!