If you love the company your riding with, it should be worth the trip. They had music playing and drinks were available to purchase! Scroll down to see all the RV campgrounds along the way. Very kind and knowledgeable. The beautiful lake is the perfect place for water recreation. Enjoy a visit to the Hubbard Orangutan Forest, where orangutans hang from the banyan trees, or stop by the largest indoor desert in the world where youll find fascinating creatures. The exhibit is the zoo's largest project to date, with over twenty five new buildings, in addition to multiple wildlife panoramas and a Kopje, and features giraffes, hoofstock, white rhinos, and many other native species including six African elephants in a 29,000-square feet exhibit that is the largest herd room in North America. 22905 Buchanan Trail. As it warms up this is a great place to walk the trails, spot the wildlife and soak up the feeling of nature. These are some of the places people talk about on AllStays: Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions Out off 100 weddings I have done this was my first here. lack. High Trestle Trail | Iowa Trails | TrailLink Love love love! The park is home to over 20 sculptures by well-known artists. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden lies on the east bank of the wide river that courses its way through town. 5:53 pm University of Iowa Moreover, the zoo portion of the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has perceived the largest rainforest (indoor) of the United States of America. With so much lush and fresh greenery here, just go ahead and get lost here and youll stumble upon a picture worth taking for your gram. Also, they have events going on during holidays which is super fun with the family. There is just about anything you might be looking for in a campground at Camp A Way, including an indoor spa and tons of fun, scheduled events. The total driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Omaha, NE is 135 miles or 217 kilometers. 10:00 am leave from Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines drive for about 1.5 hours. 7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA. The arboretum and bird sanctuary covers 4 acres and includes various plant communities like: prairie, savannah, oak hickory forest, maple linden forest, farmstead windbreak, marsh, and flood plain river margin. We went in May of 2021 - there were tons of RVs but hardly any tent campers, so very peaceful for us. Head to Lauritzen Gardens for an impressive display of rare and native plants. We went during the day and rode our scooters around the park and surrounding blocks. 31 Omaha travel answers 29 Des Moines travel answers 8 Orland Park travel answers 83 Cleveland travel answers 80 Niagara Falls travel answers 19 Albany (New York) travel answers Save Omaha Children's Museum to your lists. i think its best to go here during summer time because the giraffes and other part of the zoo are not available during winter time. There you can explore 500 acres of five different period farms that have been brought to life for visitors. Our booking guide lists not the good hotels but just the great hotels in Des Moines, IA. It's 2 hours from Des Moines and less than an hour from Omaha. She came up to the viewing window. Home RV & Motorhome Rentals Nebraska Omaha Explore Omaha RV Rentals camper van sprinter van winnebago less than $150 pet friendly westfalia reset 2021 Luxury Sprinter Van 2021 Class B 24 ft Bellevue, NE 5(4) Sleeps 2, Seats 10 $500 /night New 2022 Keystone Springdale Easy to Tow 2022 Travel trailer 21 ft Council Bluffs, IA 5(3) Sleeps 5 The Durham Museum makes its home in Omahas historic Union Station. Driving from Des Moines to Omaha should take you 2 hrs 3 mins in normal traffic. 2 miles. The park opens at 4:00 a.m. and closes at 10:30 p.m. daily. He was the best part of my trip. Definitely recommend visiting during the migration seasons! Our car wasn't full, so that make the experice better for us. These recommendations were updated on August 25, 2020 to keep your travel plans fresh. This amazing park consists of the 4.4-acre park that opened in 2009. Clean grounds and shower/restrooms. There is so much to enjoy here. Our booking guide lists not the good hotels but just the great hotels in Omaha, NE. If you can't resist those cuddly critters, you might want to pay a visit to Henry Doorly Zoo, located 2.2 mi (3.6 km) from central Omaha. If your looking for wedding venues I'd definitely suggest to look at this one. Pappajohn Sculpture Park has some stunning sculptures that will make you stare in awe for a reasonable amount of time. Today, it is dedicated to conservation and education. This is one of the most interesting date ideas in Omaha. This Sculpture Park has been open since September 2009 and has art by 22 famous artists within a 4.4 acre space. Guests are also encouraged to visit the antique soda fountain and enjoy a phosphate or malt. Adair City Park (1 mention) Went to the zoo on a Sunday afternoon with my daughter in law. See More Highly Instagram-able Spots In Nebraska! The sprawling zoo is like few others in the United States, making it a fun place for everyone to visit. Looking forward to coming back when the new part is open so to see the items we were anxious to see but weren't on display. If you want lush, green, floral backgrounds in the dead of winter, theres no place better than the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. The Pappajohns donated these works of art and represent the largest donation of art made to Des Moines Art Center. The numerous themed sections include a rose garden, an herb garden, a tree peony garden, a Victorian garden, and a woodland trail. Visitors can also enjoy hikes along woodland trails and waterfalls. Always one of me and my daughters favorite places to just get out and get some fresh air and go for a nice walk! They allow you to escape, relax, and set your mind at peace while taking in all it has to offer. It's not great to be sweating while getting bridal makeup done. The world's largest nocturnal exhibit? There are a variety of new structures for guests, such as a hunting lodge-inspired Grill, the exploration-based Wildlife Management Headquarters, tents for overnight visits, and a Giraffe Encounter where guests may feed giraffes. Clean bathrooms. This is a great place where you can see all kinds of animals together, which is a lot of fun. There are fourteen total acres of beautiful gardens indoors and out. The casino is owned by Vici Properties and handled by Ceasers entertainment today. open-ended. This site and app let me do all the planning for our 15 day trip in a little over 6 hours! I highly recommend the Heritage Park. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:08 pmdrive for about 12 minutes, 5:21 pm arrive in Des Moineseat at Ritual Cafe The zoo combines conservation, research, education and recreation. Loved all the bridges! The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to connect with nature, even if its in the middle of the harsh midwest winters. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden encompasses 14 acres of land and has an illustrious history dating back to 1939 when it began life as a humble greenhouse. It was the actual best zoo experience I have ever had. A couple sitting on the bench saying goodbye after his military leave). A storm kicked up with high winds and rain. They have several special exhibits throughout the year. The only positive was the check in staff/front desk staff was wonderful and friendly. Plenty of spots to sit down as youre walking around. What we do is we break our visits down into sections. The trail's popularity is largely due to its famous 130-foot-tall High Trestle Bridge, which boasts one of the most well-known rail-trail art installations in the country, From Here to There.Wrapped in 43 twisting, diamond-shaped steel ribs lined with LED lights, the bridge elicits the . Black Hawk State Park. This 49-acre zoological park is one of many fun things to do in Des Moines, Iowa. Plants, animals and unique habitats from all over the world sprawl over more than 160 acres, and its all available for you to explore. Book now as packages are based on availability. We always have a wonderful time at Bodega. It is. Pammel County Park (1 mention) Plan along with your friends with live syncing and collaborative editing. Nice museum. Check. The conservatory is full of tropical plants and with a temperature to match, you can forget about winter. Sculpture Park is a 4 acre park in downtown Des Moines that features 24 unique sculptures. Great conference center next door with a motel and camping available. Tour the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn and learn about the areas Danish heritage. Fabulous museum to go through before and after the tour. This makes playing blackjack worse odds than some slot machines. Opened in 1979, this ten-acre public garden hosts thousands of visitors every year. The foot of the bridge is located in Tom Hanafan Rivers Edge Park, and was a combined project by the City of Omaha, and the Council Bluffs with the Iowa Department of Transportation. to each other and sharing tips and advice. It was so much fun. Home to colorful plants, flowers, trees and shrubs, it is a delight to stroll around with amazing artworks and greenhouses dotted here and there. Be in two states at once on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Omahas premier botanical garden, Lauritzen Gardens, was established in 1995. But for this first trip, we visited the: Me and my family just had an outing at Lawrence and gardens. In Council Bluffs, tour the beautifully restored home of Civil War veteran and railroad builder, General Grenville M. Dodge. It was awesome. The top city between Des Moines and Omaha is Council Bluffs. Call (402)944-3550. Great fire rings with grates. 31 Best Stops Between Des Moines and Omaha - Wanderlog The largest big complex in North America, the world's largest nocturnal exhibit, the world's largest indoor swamp, the world's largest indoor rainforest, the world's largest indoor desert, and the world's largest glazed geodesic dome are all located at the Henry Doorly Zoo. The displays are so interesting, the building itself is a gem. Amazing museum! A planters delight abounds at the Des Moines Botanical Garden. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including camping, bicycling, boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting. The park is so huge, such that its really difficult to cover the whole park and enjoy it at the same time if you do it all at once. Super 8 Adair For me this is one of the best exhibits Ive ever seen at any zoo. Free parking. Glenn Cunningham Lake Campground. This one featured John Wayne portraying him in his many military roles. Supporting 300 artists, bakers, crafts people, and farmers, it has been connecting rural and urban communities for forty years. What is it: Stand with one foot in Nebraska and one in Iowa on this walking and bike bridge that spans the Missouri river. The market is open Saturdays until noon in May through October. A great place to rest or have a picnic. The museum was well kept and I liked the exhibits. Lincoln RV Parks - Top 10 Campgrounds in Lincoln, NE - RVshare Iowa State Parks | Full Listing It's north of Hartford, Iowa, off Hwy 5, by way of about 3 miles of gravel. Its permanent exhibits include historical data and displays on the 10 passenger train depots that were in Omaha, as well as replicas of items from the Omaha Indian tribes such as an earth lodge and rawhide teepee, and worker's cottages from the mid-1880s where blue collar workers in the state lived, and more. Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Omaha? The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a 14-acre botanical garden located on Robert D. Ray Drive on the east bank of the Des Moines River. What is it: Omahas botanical gardens are found among art exhibitions and a cafe. Didn't win a dime but it was still very fun! The lovely Lauritzen Gardens, also known as the Omaha Botanical Gardens, lie in southeastern Omaha near the Missouri River. KCCI - Des Moines Videos. The sculptures were neat, park was clean and spacious. Here you can also take in a view of the downtown Des Moines skyline or have a relaxing picnic with your significant other, friends, or family. The first thing to know is that Durham is a beautifully restored art deco Union Pacific train station. questions about West Des Moines: These wine bottle corks were not wrapped and secure and were short corks like you find on a bottle of Wild Turkey Bourbon. Enter The Durham Museum and immediately youll feel connected to another place in time. Very good park to visit with ample parking on the street, great sculptures and very open access to them. People were even laying on blankets and having a picnic. to double check the weather. It was built by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1931 and used to be the citys Union Station. Open since September 2009, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a 4.4-acre park featuring sculptures by 22 of the worlds most famous artists. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. The botanical center officially opened its doors in December 1979 and for the first 25 years, it was run by the Parks and Recreation Department. and my kids loved the animals.we went here sunday morning and we got the whole zoo for ourselves. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. The Durham Museum is dedicated to showing and preserving the history of the Western region of the US. If theres a place that gives a befitting tribute and acknowledgment of nature, it is the Blank Park Zoo. But people also come to Pappajohn Sculpture Park for more than just art. The Durham Museum, built in what used to be Omahas Union Station, is now a local landmark and a fully functional museum featuring an abundance of interesting displays and exhibits. Only 5 dollars. The Frontenac and Vignoles are 2 of my favorites. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. The museum has permanent exhibits like the Swanson Gallery, the Union Pacific Train Cars, and the Byron Reed Collection, as well as many temporary exhibits from the Smithsonian, and the Library of Congress National Archives. This park was opened in the year 2009 and is home to more than 20 sculptures, all of which were made by reputable artists. If your kids love trains, they will be particularly captivated by the historical train display, which gives them the opportunity to walk through different models of train cars and watch model trains whip around on the tracks. Random act of kindness leads to lasting friendship between Hawkeyes linebacker, Omaha family. Our windows went up about 10 inches for a nice breeze and better viewing. The most incredible zoo meant for all ages. Plus You just pay at the front and then walk through the museum. Alerts and Important Information. The amazing collection in the Byron Reed Gallery includes ancient coins, manuscripts, documents, and books. There is a lot to see in Durham, the most prominent being the train. Campgrounds Near Interstate 80 in Iowa: Find the - Des Moines Outdoors You just have to see it for yourself! Christmas at Union Station is a highlight every year. Why Its So Great: The Permanent Exhibits at Durham are housed in historic Union Station, the 1931 headquarters for The Union Pacific Railroad and a National Historic Landmark. In 1995, the building was restored to the stature of its heyday and is now home to the insightful museum. It was so fun and relaxing. Or view it from your favorite asana when the park hosts summer yoga classes. Located in the middle of Downtown DSM, Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a much-visited, often-photographed favorite. The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge crosses the Missouri River and connects Nebraska with Iowa. The zoo allows you to get to know this universe better. Des Moines farmers market in the historic downtown is a great place to shop for local produce and soak in the friendly atmosphere of this lively, Midwest city. Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake with more than 15,000 acres of water and 35,000 acres of land for visitors to enjoy. On warmer days, we sit outside and enjoy the lovely countryside view while sipping a glass or two of their Misbehavin. The Downtown Farmers Market is held along Court Avenue in the Downtown Historic Court District of Des Moines. The park has been entertaining Des Moines urbanites with wonderful sculptures since 2009 and is a great place for families, tourists, and anyone on their lunch break. Here are some more hotels people talk about: Want to research more popular hotels in Des Moines? The artist changes the artwork annually. There are only a handful of pedestrian only bridges that connect two states in the U.S. One of those is the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. It depends on when you visit! Very nice tour guide, Nancy was her name. [15] In May 2019, the Birmingham Zoo's male African bush elephant Callee joined the herd of five female elephants to breed with them.[16]. The bridge is even marked to let you know when youre entering Iowa, so you can stand on the bridge with one foot in Omaha, NE and one foot in Council Bluffs, IA. Strongly recommend the botanical garden to everyone! The tour of the home was great. It is a 25-acre park and is the only accredited zoo in Lowa state. This winery not only offers us an excellent selection of its own wines to choose from, but it also offers us a friendly and inviting atmosphere that has always made us feel welcome. The center has since expanded to cover over 100 acres in the riverfront hills area of Omaha. We made a day of it. There was also a gift shop (why?) Hawkeyes linebacker Zach Twedt stopped on Interstate 35 last July to help Tina Gunn, of Omaha, who got a flat tire while traveling from Minnesota back to Omaha. There are tons of different animals from all over the world, as well as special exhibits and tours that have plenty of kid-friendly interactive activities. If you want to see a harmonious connection between rural and urban communities, then the Downtown Farmers Market is where you should go. That little nugget was showing off and being sassy and flashy for our viewing pleasure. 2 minutes. Camping at KOA Ways To Stay Rewards Program Deals Resources Trip Planner Find by State/Province All Campgrounds Find A KOA Mark KOAs within miles / km of route as yellow. Discover what beautiful creatures, except you two, of course, nature brought into this world. It has the largest indoor rainforest in the world, the worlds biggest indoor desert and the worlds largest nocturnal animal exhibit. We can avoid that another sculptures that are all through the gardens. The staff used their time and space to sign up volunteers and coordinate whatever needed to be done for the impacted families. We rented a paddle boat for a day ($37 for the whole day) and was glad to have that experience. Part of Western Gateway Park, it has almost thirty stupendous sculptures to enjoy with their striking shapes, sizes and silhouettes making for some fantastic photos with the citys skyline behind them. The little danish community of ElkHorn we drove through on a early Sunday morning. Clean up your trash and after your dogs. We came to do a tour of the bridges not knowing that you had to call ahead first and set up the 2 hour tour. Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is one of the citys top attractions, with locals and tourists flocking here to experience its many unique exhibits. The Bridge is joined to 150 miles of nature trails for bike lovers as well as pedestrians. Try searching for places within 2 hours of Omaha. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, water observing all that is available not for all American citizens. Just this past summer, the park added a new spot thats been a hit with locals and visitors and featured on many an Instagram account: the Love sculpture by artist Robert Indiana. The garden has a mission to educate others on the flora of the region as well as celebrate the natural beauty of the foliage on show. All the work of Arts in Pappajohns is donated to the Des Moines Art Center and this donation made is the largest the Art Center has ever received. Over all was an amazing day even in the heat of the day. Great place to relax and visit outside with friends and enjoy a nice breeze! next trip! You completely feel engulfed in the experience and the escape once you enter the exhibit. Elkhorn Creek Recreation Area (1 mention) Never dig through your emails again access all your flights, lodging, and any reservations in 1 place. If you're a local or passing through, this is a must try!! As a Dane living in United States, experiencing the museum brought back lots of good memories and makes one feel homesick for the old country for sure! Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey Site Types. In 17th century Germany, it was common practice for a house to be shared by families and their livestock. Buy tickets in advance. Whether your visit is part of an adult-education class on gardening, or you're attending a tastefully decorated event in the rentable venue space, you can admire the garden's beauty. Great way to get some energy out of the kiddo on the weekend too. RV Parks & Campgrounds near Des Moines, IA | Outdoorsy Iowa RV Parks Near I-80 | USA Today - Travel Tips - USA Today The rangers at this refuge were absolutely lovely people. Seriously, this app does it all! One of the best date ideas in Omaha is going to the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. One of the most well-loved attractions we are so lucky to have the Zoo in Omaha!. The bridal room could use better chairs and the yellow walls are not ideal for make/photos but that is just from a makeup artist opinion. If youre in Des Moines on a Saturday, the farmers market is definitely something you should experience. Council Bluffs is a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. It's an incredible collection of IH tractors and memorabilia over the years - and everyone can enjoy it! The dinning area is one of the prettiest I've ever seen. Its in a great location with ample parking nearby. There are numerous events and performances held at the gardens, so check their site to make sure you catch one. A Guide to Des Moines RV Parks - Des Moines Outdoors The original 24 sculptures were part of the Pappajohns collection and were displayed in their yard. stay at Kirkwood Civic Center Hotel driving 3.5 hours Change your route From: To: Alternate route Enter a city to drive through, or find all trips from Omaha to Des Moines. Under white light, thick-rooted plants snaked up to a crisscrossed roof. My last visit, I went for a Friday night event where they light the dome up! This market is the pride of Des Moines, as it brings together around 300 local vendors in one place. This way we do a section we enjoy it we take our time and we have fun. 1330 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA. The garden began in 1939 as a city greenhouse, and todays Botanical Garden facility opened in 1979. The town park at the foothills is awesome. This is an extraordinarily fun time for visitors of all ages. Had a ton of fun!! This botanical garden and an arboretum showcases- among others highlights- a festival garden, with vibrant annual plantings and open lawns, a Victorian garden featuring the exquisiteness of both English and Victorian gardens, a reproduction of Nebraska's vast wildflower-filled prairie lands which is charmingly named The Song of the Lark Meadow, and a bird sanctuary providing a natural habitat for a variety of Midwestern birds. The Lauritzen gardens are described as an urban oasis of beauty and tranquility. Plus dozens of geese and ducks. If you haven't been there yet you're missing out on a great day. $40.99 As low as Groups of 15-99 Stay With Us Save over $400 - NEW Summer Stay & Play package Package starts at $325 and includes one Standard Room plus four 2-Day Adventureland Tickets (tickets must be used on consecutive days). 2451 Elderberry Ave, Winterset, IA 50273, USA. Little nooks to get up close. Iowa Cabins - Iowa Cabin Rentals - Destination 360 I limed it better when u cashed out and got money instead of a ticket. Very unique and cool tourist attraction. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden's mission is to help guests explore, explain and celebrate the world of plants. The organization this app provides has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. It is so hard to wrap your head around the engineering it took to construct it in the 1850's and to transport it to the USA in the 1970's. On the Iowa side of the river is the city of Des Moines is just a two-hour drive away. Will be back. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is frequently ranked as the top one or two zoos in the United States and the world. There are statues all around to show the past (ex. One of the best places to take kids in Omaha is the Henry Doorly Zoo. Having said that, I know the budget constraints keep them from maintaining like the "old days". Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is one of the best zoo and aquarium in the destination. 73 E Jefferson St, Winterset, IA 50273, USA. Then travel to Adams County where well learn about the French immigrants egalitarian community and have lunch in the 1878 communal dining hall. Find the best RV parks, campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the And if you want to take the educational experience even further, the museum offers guided tours and annual summer and winter kids camps. Camping in Des Moines: Your Guide to Local Campgrounds eat at Brickway Brewery stay at Doubletree Hotel Omaha-Downtown driving 3.5 hours Change your route From: To: Alternate route Enter a city to drive through, or find all trips from West Des Moines to Omaha.