If you want to escape your day-to-day life, there’s nothing better than a good day trip. Whether nature is your thing, or you enjoy a good roller coaster, or you like to explore the charming small towns of Central Iowa, you’re sure to find something that suits your particular fancy. Here are eight of the most unique and interesting day trips in Iowa that everyone must take. Let’s take a look at these fun and possible day trips from Des Moines, Iowa. 

What are your favorite day trips in Iowa? Let us know below in the comments section. For more ideas to get away from it all, take a road trip through the most charming small towns in Iowa.

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Best Day Trips in Des Moines

What are some unique things to do around Des Moines?

A unique adventure offering fun for the entire family can be enjoyed at Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl & Grill. Located inside of a Bass Pro Shop, Uncle Buck’s has a bowling alley and restaurant inside. Be sure to look overhead at all the fish-themed artifacts hanging from the ceiling. For the adults in your group, there’s a whimsical island-themed bar as well. 

I’m looking for some relaxing getaway spots near me in Iowa.

If you’re looking for weekend escapes, Iowa has loads of them! And each has its own unique attractions, dining, recreation, shopping, and accommodation options. For example, in Winterset, Iowa they have the John Wayne Museum. The town of Bellevue, Iowa is where you’ll find beautiful Bellevue State Park. And Pella, Iowa is a historic Dutch town where folks flock from all over the country each year to experience the tulips in bloom, as well as the historic mill and windmill rising high above the village.

I’ve heard a lot about the High Trestle Trail Bridge.  Where is it?

You’ve heard a lot about it for good reason. The High Trestle Trail Bridge is a totally cool, half-mile-long biking or walking bridge about a 30-minute drive north and a little bit west of Des Moines. It crosses over the Des Moines River and features the original piers (the locals call them “Iowa's Stonehenge”) that were constructed when the bridge first opened in 1913. The views from the bridge are awe-inspiring so you may want to cross it more than once!

Are there any public gardens in the Des Moines area?

Yes, The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is one of them and because of its size and all it has to offer, it is considered by some to be one of the best day trips in Des Moines. Inside the conservatory, you will find a forest peppered with over 1,200 different plant species. The Botanical Garden also hosts special concert series in season where you an enjoy al fresco entertainment while gazing at the picturesque grounds surrounding you.