5 Perfect Day Trips from Des Moines for Families
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Looking for an easy way to turn an ordinary weekend into an adventure?
Des Moines is surrounded by incredible places to explore, all less than an hour away.
From covered bridges and alpacas to creek hikes and trains, these day trips are doable, fun, and totally worth it for families.
Some of our favorites include Winterset, Pella, Ledges State Park, Ames, and Boone—all packed with family-friendly things to see and do.
So, the next time you’re ready for a little adventure, here are five of our favorite day trips from Des Moines—starting with the charming town of Winterset.
1. Winterset (40 minutes from Des Moines)
Winterset, in Madison County, is a small town full of rolling hills, charming streets, and a little Hollywood history.
It’s best known as the setting for The Bridges of Madison County and as the birthplace of John Wayne.
But what makes Winterset so special for families is how easy it is to spend an entire day here exploring, playing, and discovering new favorites.
Our Family’s Winterset Must-Do
Every time we go, our kids insist on visiting Winterset City Park, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite stops too!
They love running through the hedge maze, climbing up to Clark Tower (which feels like exploring a castle), and playing on the incredible all-inclusive playground.
It’s always our first stop when we’re in town.
Top Things to Do in Winterset
- Covered Bridges: Stop at the Madison County Welcome Center to grab a map, then tour a few of the area’s famous bridges. Don’t miss the Roseman Covered Bridge—featured in the movie and rumored to be haunted!
- Rusty Star Alpacas: This is one of those spots our kids keep asking to go back to every time we visit Winterset. You can meet alpacas up close, feed them, and learn all about these sweet animals. It’s such a fun, hands-on experience for families.
- Winterset City Park: Home to the Cutler-Donahoe Bridge, hedge maze, playground, and Clark Tower with scenic views.
- Downtown Winterset: Stroll the quaint square, grab lunch, and check out local shops.
- John Wayne Birthplace & Museum: A unique stop for movie lovers.
- Frostee’s Ice Cream Shop: We never leave Winterset without a sweet treat from Frostee’s!
✅ Winterset Bucket List: Visit the covered bridges, play at City Park, meet alpacas at Rusty Star, explore downtown, and end the day with Frostee’s ice cream.
👉 Related Post: Best Things to Do in Winterset
2. Pella (50 minutes from Des Moines)
If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into Holland without leaving Iowa, Pella is your spot.
Famous for its annual Tulip Time Festival in May, this town is just as charming the rest of the year with Dutch-inspired architecture, bakeries, and kid-friendly attractions.
Our Family’s Pella Must-Do
Whenever we visit, our kids can’t wait for two things: stopping at the bakery for a fresh Dutch letter and slipping their feet into the giant wooden shoes for a picture. It’s become a family tradition!
We also always make time for Wonder Spelen Playground—a beautiful, all-inclusive play space where the boys can burn off some energy while we enjoy a breather.
Holiday Magic in Pella
While Pella shines in the spring, it’s just as special during the holiday season. The town square is decked out with lights and festive decorations, and downtown feels like a little Christmas village.
It’s the perfect time to enjoy holiday treats from the bakeries, shop for unique gifts, and take in the cozy, small-town charm.
If you’re visiting in December, plan for the Kerstmarkt (Dutch Christmas Market) and the Holiday Tour of Homes, usually held the first weekend of the month.
Kerstmarkt feels like a European-style market, with local vendors, food, and festive cheer.
There are also carriage rides downtown on select weekends, which make the experience even more magical for families.
👉 Check the official Pella website here for up-to-date event details.
Top Things to Do in Pella
- Historic Village & Vermeer Windmill: Tour the tallest working windmill in the U.S. and explore 20+ historic buildings.
- Klokkenspel: Watch the charming musical clock with dancing figurines (scheduled times daily).
- Molengracht Plaza: A canal-style plaza complete with a drawbridge—super fun to walk through.
- Sunken Garden Park: Features a windmill and a pond shaped like a wooden shoe.
- Downtown Treats: Don’t miss the bakeries. Our favorite? Vander Ploeg Bakery for Dutch letters.
✅ Pella Bucket List: Tour the windmill, see the Klokkenspel, wander Molengracht Plaza, snap a photo in the wooden shoes, play at Wonder Spelen Playground, and eat a Dutch letter.
👉 Related Post: 15 Things to Do in Pella with Kids
3. Ledges State Park (45 minutes from Des Moines)
If you’re craving nature or want to visit one of Iowa’s gorgeous state parks, Ledges State Park is one of the most popular outdoor day trips from Des Moines.
Families love it for hiking, picnicking, and creek play.
Our Family’s Must-Do
Whenever we go, our kids immediately head for Pea’s Creek. They could spend hours creek walking, splashing, and skipping rocks.
On hot days, they crack up standing by the road as cars splash through the shallow water crossings, hoping to get wet themselves!
In the fall, we love hiking through the colorful leaves together, and the views from the canyon are absolutely stunning.
Top Things to Do in Ledges State Park
- Creek Walking: Bring water shoes, towels, and a change of clothes—the kids will get wet.
- Canyon Drive: Drive through shallow water crossings (the kids will beg you to do it more than once).
- Family Hikes: Short, scenic trails perfect for kids of all ages.
- Picnicking: Pack a lunch and enjoy the park’s picnic areas.
Pro Tip: On your way to or from the park, stop at the High Trestle Trail Bridge in Madrid. It’s just a short detour and the views from the bridge are incredible.
✅ Ledges Bucket List: Hike, creek walk, picnic, and make a detour to High Trestle Bridge.
Looking for a Longer Day Trip?
If you’re up for a little more drive time, Iowa City is an excellent option for families. From exploring the Old Capitol Building to hands-on fun at the Iowa Children’s Museum and even discovering fossils at the Devonian Fossil Gorge, there’s no shortage of family-friendly adventures.
Read: Top 10 Things to Do in Iowa City with Kids4. Ames (45 minutes from Des Moines)
Ames, while home to Iowa State University, it is a fun town for families to enjoy too!
Our Family’s Must-Do
We always stop at Reiman Gardens, and our kids make a beeline for the butterfly wing and the Children’s Garden.
Elwood the Gnome (the world’s largest concrete gnome) is always a fun photo-op too!
After exploring Reiman Gardens, we usually grab a bite at Hickory Park, where the boys love picking out their own ice cream sundaes after a big BBQ meal.
One of my personal favorite events is Spirits in the Gardens, held every fall at Reiman Gardens.
It’s such a fun way to see the gardens lit up at night with hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins, plus themed displays and activities for kids. It’s the perfect mix of festive and family-friendly.
Top Things to Do in Ames
- Iowa State University Campus: Stroll through the beautiful campus.
- Reiman Gardens: See seasonal gardens, the butterfly wing, Elwood the Gnome, and the kid-friendly play garden.
- Downtown Ames: Cute shops and coffee stops.
- Family Eats: Hickory Park for BBQ and ice cream or The Filling Station for something casual.
✅ Ames Bucket List: Explore Reiman Gardens, take a campus stroll, and grab a family meal at Hickory Park.
Boone (50 minutes from Des Moines)
Boone is a train-lover’s dream and a true hidden gem for families.
Top Things to Do in Boone
- Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad: Ride a historic train across the Des Moines River Valley. Special rides include the Pumpkin Express iand Santa Express (plan ahead and book early!).
- Railroad Museum: Included with train tickets—kids will love the model trains.
- Rail Explorers: Pedal a rail bike along the tracks for a one-of-a-kind adventure (book in advance, it sells out fast!).
✅ Boone Bucket List: Take a scenic train ride, tour the Railroad Museum, and book Rail Explorers.
Bonus Stop: Iowa Arboretum (near Boone & Ledges)
If you’re heading to Boone or Ledges State Park, make time for a stop at the Iowa Arboretum, located just 16 minutes from Boone and 10 minutes from Ledges.
Our kids especially love the Treehouse Village—a series of fun, elevated play structures tucked among the trees that make exploring the outdoors even more exciting.
The Arboretum also has beautiful walking trails, gardens, and plenty of space to let kids run free.
It’s a hidden gem that’s perfect to combine with either a train ride in Boone or a hike at Ledges.
✅ Iowa Arboretum Bucket List: Explore the Treehouse Village, stroll the gardens, and enjoy a nature-filled picnic.
Final Thoughts: Best Day Trips from Des Moines
The best part about these day trips is that each one is less than an hour from Des Moines.
That means you can enjoy a full day of exploring without spending most of your time in the car.
Whether you’re chasing history in Winterset, tulips in Pella, hikes at Ledges, gnomes in Ames, or trains in Boone—you’ll find fun, unique, and family-friendly adventures just outside the city.
Looking for more Des Moines inspiration? Check out:
For a little further adventure, consider heading east to Iowa City—here are my Top 10 Things to Do in Iowa City with Kids.
✨ Don’t forget to download my free Travel Itinerary Planner to make your trip planning simple and stress-free.
May you love your adventure! KW
