Polk district, Iowa, United States

Places to visit near Waukee

Waukee is a town in Polk district, Iowa, United States, home to about 18,990 people. Within 50 km by road there are 260 places to visit — 133 forts & heritage, 43 churches, 28 parks and 13 wildlife, forests & gardens. The must-see places are Brenton Arboretum (13 km), Dale Maffitt Reservoir (17 km) and Walnut Woods State Park (18 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Waukee on the map

Waukee, Iowa
Waukee, Polk district, Iowa, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Waukee at a glance

Location
Polk district, Iowa, United States
Population
about 18,990
Coordinates
41.6117° N, 93.8852° W
Places within 50 km
260 (37 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for forts & heritage; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches and parks

Top places to visit near Waukee

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Waukee: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Waukee, by type

Forts & heritage near Waukee

134 forts & heritage within 100 km of Waukee. The closest is Character Counts Pillars (15 km); the best-known is Hotel Fort Des Moines (27 km). Best time: october to february.

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Churches near Waukee

43 churches within 100 km of Waukee. The closest is Immanuel Lutheran Church (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Parks near Waukee

30 parks within 100 km of Waukee. The closest is Living History Farms (11 km); the best-known is Raccoon River Park (19 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Waukee

17 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Waukee. The closest is Biltmore West (5 km); the best-known is Brenton Arboretum (13 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Waukee

17 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Waukee. The closest is Clive Lake Dam (8 km); the best-known is Dale Maffitt Reservoir (17 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Museums near Waukee

17 museums within 100 km of Waukee. The closest is Living History Farms (12 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Waukee

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 82 km on the road.

  1. Start in Waukee
  2. 13 km Brenton Arboretum · nature spot, Dallas
  3. 26 km Badger Creek State Recreation Area · nature spot, Madison
  4. 15 km Dale Maffitt Reservoir · reservoir, Dallas
  5. 6 km Walnut Woods State Park · nature spot, Polk
  6. 3 km Raccoon River Park · park, Polk
  7. 19 km Back to Waukee

Plan a longer trip from Waukee — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Waukee

No traveller has reported from around Waukee yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Waukee

    All places near Waukee by distance

    Within 15 km of Waukee

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Waukee by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Forts & heritage133134Character Counts Pillars (15 km)
    Churches4343Immanuel Lutheran Church (1 km)
    Parks2830Living History Farms (11 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1317Biltmore West (5 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs1317Clive Lake Dam (8 km)
    Museums1517Living History Farms (12 km)
    Other attractions35KDPS-FM (Des Moines) (26 km)
    Treks44Beaver Creek Trail (20 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints22George B. Peak House (25 km)
    Temples22Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa (29 km)
    Buddhist sites22Saint Theresa's Convent (19 km)
    Waterfalls11Cascades at Jordan Creek (13 km)
    Mosques & dargahs11Islamic Center of Des Moines (19 km)

    Waukee: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Waukee?

    Brenton Arboretum (nature spot, about 13 km), Dale Maffitt Reservoir (reservoir, about 17 km), Walnut Woods State Park (nature spot, about 18 km), Raccoon River Park (park, about 19 km), Badger Creek State Recreation Area (nature spot, about 19 km), Immanuel Lutheran Church (church, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Waukee?

    260 places on Spotwander: 133 forts & heritage, 43 churches, 28 parks, 13 wildlife, forests & gardens, 13 lakes, dams & reservoirs.

    Which is the nearest fort to Waukee?

    Character Counts Pillars, about 15 km by road; Urbandale Veterans Memorial (15 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Waukee?

    Immanuel Lutheran Church, about 1 km by road; Grace West Church (9 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest park to Waukee?

    Living History Farms, about 11 km by road; Raccoon River Park (19 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Waukee?

    Start in Waukee, visit Brenton Arboretum, then Badger Creek State Recreation Area, then Dale Maffitt Reservoir, then Walnut Woods State Park, then Raccoon River Park, and drive back — about 82 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Waukee?

    October to February for forts & heritage; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches and parks.

    Towns near Waukee

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Waukee’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Waukee on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.