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The 3 places worth the trip
Places near Des Moines by type
All 280 places by distance →One day from Des Moines
5 stops, one loop, back by 2:48 pm
62 km on the road, in driving order so you don’t double back. Times assume an 8 am start and typical visit lengths.
- Leave Des Moines
- George B. Peak Housepeak · 1 hrs
- Water Works Parkpark · 45 min
- Raccoon River Parkpark · 45 min
- Blank Park Zoonature spot · 2 hrs
- Dragon Slayertemple · 45 min
- Back in Des Moines
Questions people ask
What are the best places to visit near Des Moines?
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (garden, about 1 km), Iowa Events Center (attraction, about 2 km), Trinity Las Americas United Methodist Church (church, about 2 km), Saint Ambrose Cathedral (church, about 2 km), The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul (church, about 3 km), First United Methodist Church (church, about 3 km).
How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Des Moines?
260 places on Spotwander: 156 forts & heritage, 38 parks, 27 churches, 13 museums, 9 wildlife, forests & gardens.
Which is the nearest fort to Des Moines?
World War I Monument, about 1 km by road; Rees Gabriel House (1 km) is next.
Which is the nearest park to Des Moines?
Whitmer Park, about 1 km by road; Mercy Park (1 km) is next.
What is a good one-day trip from Des Moines?
Start in Des Moines, visit George B. Peak House, then Water Works Park, then Raccoon River Park, then Blank Park Zoo, then Dragon Slayer, and drive back — about 62 km by road in all.