Hotels in Central Iowa
Encounter hundreds of miles of pristine trails and inviting parks in Central Iowa. Start at the top - at the magnificent High Trestle Trail, which overlooks the Des Moines River Valley. One of the largest trail bridges on the planet, it features an incredible 130-foot-tall span lined with a LED-lighted art installation. The High Trestle Trail runs from Ankeny to Woodward, and it’s just part of the 670-mile Central Iowa Trail System.
Rent a sailboat and mingle with locals at Gray’s Lake Park in Downtown Des Moines. Go swimming at Big Creek State Park and Hickory Grove Park. Follow nature trails at Ledges State Park. For the ultimate summer fun destination, Seven Oaks Recreation in Boone offers kayaking, canoeing, and tube float trips - plus paintball and mud runs. In the winter, you can go skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
Catch a big one at fishing hotspots like Quarry Springs Park and Dakins State Park. Love to golf? Top courses include The Legacy Golf Club, The Harvester, and West Grand Golf. For a little of everything, Sleepy Hollow Sports Park in Des Moines features mini golf, go-karts, a driving range, batting cages, and winter sports.
Des Moines, Iowa
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Top Things to Do
Beautiful Flower Gardens
Iowa’s fertile climate and soil create ideal conditions for exceptional gardens. Stroll through 18 acres of blooms at Reiman Gardens in Ames, which features twelve distinct gardens and a butterfly conservatory. In Des Moines, stop and smell the flowers at the State Center Rose Garden and at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Kids will have fun playing on the interactive musical instruments at the Thomas Jefferson Gardens in Newton.
Hike, Bike, and Golf
Stretch your legs at inviting outdoor retreats like Ledges State Park, Quarry Springs Park, and Fort Des Moines Park. You’ll also find wonderful golf courses throughout the region. Up for a stroll? Overlooking the Des Moines River Valley from 13 stories above the ground, the High Trestle Trail is an epic choice for walking or biking. This former rail trail is part of the Central Iowa Trail System, which features over 670 miles of pathways.