Adventureland Park has more than 100 rides, shows and attractions, including three great roller coasters. Rides for all ages are available, from mild to wet-and-wild. Shows throughout the park feature a variety of family entertainment. Don't miss Iowa’s newest water park, Adventure Bay. Water park admission is included with admission to Adventureland Park.

Adventure Bay is Iowa's newest water park, and in 2012 Breaker Beach, Iowa's Largest Wave Pool, is being added. Enjoy 20 water slides, including two 65-foot speed slides, as well as a 6,000 square foot swimming pool, swim up bar, cabana rentals and Iowa’s longest lazy river - almost a third of a mile long! Adventure Bay admission is included with admission to Adventureland Park.

Altoona Aquatic Park has a leisure pool, six-lane lap pool and a plunge pool along with two winding flume slides, a drop-slide, a youth slide and a diving board.

Cascade Falls features numerous water slides, a swirl bowl slide, two diving platforms, a zero depth recreation pool, a lap pool and a flow rider surf machine. There are amenities geared for people of all ages. We also offer full-service concessions and locker room facilities.

Clive's outdoor facility includes a toddler pool with zero-depth entry, slide and spray. Additional features include a lap pool with basketball hoop, a diving board, a drop slide, waterslides (must be 48 inches tall to ride) and a 315-foot lazy river.

Enjoy fun in the sun for the whole family at this railroad-themed water park. Holiday Aquatic Center features three water slides including a "swirl" slide, diving board, drop slide (four feet off the water) and an interactive spray zone that offers fun for all ages. Also available is a zero depth pool and four lap lanes in the 3 to 4.5 feet deep swimming pool.

Northwest Aquatic Center has a water slide, a zero depth entry, a water mushroom and a shaded swim area.

The entire family can enjoy fun in the sun at this family-friendly water park. Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center offers heated water, zero depth entry, water slides, floor geysers, lap swimming, splash park and concessions. If you're planning a birthday party or water-themed business outing, the center is available for party rentals during non-public hours.

Teachout Aquatic Center has a water slide, a zero depth entry, a water mushroom and a shaded swim area.

The Urbandale Public Swimming Pool features a 6-lane, 200,000-gallon indoor facility and an outdoor aquatic playground. As the only public indoor swimming pool in the Des Moines Metro, it is a unique amenity offering year-round events, recreational activities, rental space, fitness classes and general aquatic services for more than 50,000 guests each year.

Valley View Aquatic Center provides fun for the whole family. Three bodies of water include diving boards, drop slides, a zero depth leisure pool with spray toys, four water slides and a 600-foot lazy river. Call for more information.

Leisurely cruise the Des Moines River and experience a one-of-a-kind view of the city on board Des Moines' authentic sternwheel paddlewheeler, the Jon Anderson White Riverboat. The Riverboat offers a full schedule of public and private charters. Located across from the Des Moines Botanical and Environmental Center.

Adventureland Campground features full-service hookups, modern showers and restrooms, recreational areas, outdoor swimming and tent camping all in the best location. Our campground is seasonal, open April through October. Adventureland takes reservations for the season year-round. Conveniently located off Interstate 80 at Exit 142A.

The Iowa State Fair Campgrounds offer 160 acres of wooded sites just minutes from downtown. The campgrounds offer 1,800 sites with water/electrical hook-ups, nearly 600 sites with sewer and 24-hour security. Open mid-April to mid-July and September 1 to mid-October for non-Fair camping.

Four Polk County Conservation campgrounds within a half-hour of Downtown Des Moines offer plenty of overnight camping choices. Campground shower houses are open mid-April through mid-October at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, Jester Park, Thomas Mitchell Park and Yellow Banks Park.

More than a place for plants, the Botanical Center is a place for people. The center's 15,000 exotic plants, special events, interactive display greenhouse and dining/meeting facilities make it an ideal place to work or play. Visit the Riverwalk Cafe and gift shop.

A visit to the Iowa Arboretum's 378-acre facility is an experience you won't want to miss. The 40-acre 'Library of Living Plants' showcases hundreds of species of trees, shrubs and flowers. Visit our large and diverse display of plants that can be successfully grown in Iowa. An additional 330 acres offer unique woodland trails and a restored prairie walk.

In September 2009, the Des Moines Art Center and the City of Des Moines partnered to open a 4.4-acre sculpture park in the heart of Downtown Des Moines. It features 27 works of art donated to the museum by John and Mary Pappajohn from their renowned collection of contemporary sculptures.

Reiman Gardens offers 14 acres of living beauty. It is open year-round with live exotic butterflies flying in their own wing, indoor tropical gardens and a gift shop. Reiman Gardens strives to educate, enchant and inspire environmental stewardship through displays of living beauty. Return each season to see new gardens. Tours are welcome.

One of Des Moines' best 18-hole golf courses, open March through November, offers a great layout, a public driving range and now features a GPS system. Blank Golf Course offers a PGA Pro, lessons, golf shop, food and driving range. The course is available for tournaments, outings and public use.

The 18-hole championship public course at Bos Landen Golf Club, located just outside of Des Moines, sits on 190 wooded acres and is a great test of skill to all players. Bos Landen’s banquet facility is perfect for celebrating a special occasion, organizing a social gathering or hosting a meeting/conference.

This picturesque 18-hole championship course has been designed around mature trees and rolling Iowa hills. The new clubhouse is an ideal location for golf outings, business meetings and wedding receptions. Our beautiful new clubhouse can accommodate up to 400 guests with indoor and outdoor seating.

Conveniently located four miles south of the Des Moines Airport, Countryside Golf Course offers golfers a great experience with a USGA 18-hole course spanning 160 acres with bent grass fairways. The clubhouse offers golfers a relaxed atmosphere and can be transformed for a variety of private events.

This beautiful course layout is ideal for seniors and juniors. Find food, a golf shop and 18 holes. The course is available for tournaments, outings and public use. Full catering services are also available.

This full-service golf facility addresses all levels of golfers. Challenge yourself on the 18-hole championship course or improve your short game on the Par 3 course. A state-of-the-art practice facility exists for those who wish to learn or enhance their game.

Longview Golf Center is Iowa's only air supported dome for year-round golf practice and includes an 18-hole indoor miniature golf course. We also have an outdoor range, 18-hole outdoor miniature golf course and full pro shop. Services include clinics, professional lessons, custom club fitting and corporate outings.

Otter Creek Golf Course features lush bluegrass fairways, full-length cart paths and the finest greens in the state. It was the 2005 host course for the Iowa Open, State Girl's Championship, State Boy's Championship, State Co-Ed Championship and Junior Tour Championship.

Since its inception in 1973, Toad Valley has striven to provide a great golfing experience as well as an inviting atmosphere where fantastic memories are created. With our additions of a miniature golf course and conference center, there are many opportunities for fun awaiting you at Toad Valley!

The Tournament Club of Iowa's (TCI) golf course is a premier Arnold Palmer design golf course and residential community. TCI has been voted 2004 Golf Digest's Top 10 Best New Upscale Courses and 2003-2008 Golf Digest's Best Courses in the State. TCI is located 20 minutes north of Des Moines.

The only municipal course named by golf writer Davy Hoffman as one of "America's Greatest Golf Courses." Waveland Golf Course offers a PGA Pro, lessons, golf shop, food and bar. The course is 18 holes with a continuous cart path and is available for tournaments, outings and public use. We are open March through November.

Woodland Hills Golf Course is Des Moines' oldest privately owned public golf course and has 18 holes of golf and a driving range. The course is available for golf outings with shotgun starts and food and beverage are available. No outing is too small!

Dedicated to providing horse enthusiasts the ideal area to pursue their passions, Jester Park Equestrian Center offers guided trail riding (8 years and older), wagon/sleigh rides, year-round riding lessons, team building, camps, therapeutic riding and long- and short-term equestrian boarding. Indoor and outdoor arenas are available for rent.

From November to March, the venue offers the chance for people of all ages to ice skate in the open air, amid the snowflakes and under the stars. We also offer birthday and corporate parties, broomball and ice skating lessons for all ages. Brenton Skating Plaza is dedicated to providing a fun, recreational experience for families and individuals of all ages.

The Des Moines Buccaneers have been a vital part of the Central Iowa sports community since 1980. The Bucs provide fast-paced entertainment from September to April. The Buccaneers are members of the United States Hockey League.

Des Moines Parks and Recreation offer a variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, picnicking, swimming and tennis. Golf courses, swimming pools, community centers, trail systems, special events and activities create opportunities for all!

With its many opportunities for walking, biking and other activities, Gray’s Lake is a great place to go to have a fun outdoor experience. Gray’s Lake Park consists of the 167-acre lake with a two-mile trail encircling. You can find many free activities to participate in throughout the year at the park.

Polk County Conservation manages 12,000 acres of prairies, wetlands, woodlands, trails and parks in Polk County. Their mission is to provide the citizens of Polk County with quality outdoor recreation, conservation education and the long-term protection of Polk County's natural heritage.

Located just north of Des Moines, Saylorville Lake is 26,000 acres with beautiful scenery all the way around. The Lake offers multiple boat launches, beaches, and outdoor recreation including camping, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife watching and more.

Altoona Parks and Recreation offers over 200 acres of parks and 18 miles of bike trails. Activities include an aquatics park, skate park, rose garden, enabling garden, native prairies, disc golf, shelters, adult and youth sports and playgrounds. Come visit us.

The city of Ankeny has the Prairie Ridge Youth Sports Complex, which includes a 9,000 square foot concrete skate park, aquatic center, Lakeside Center (3,500 square foot facility available for conferences and receptions), walking/biking trails and knowledgeable staff to assist our visitors.

The Center Street Pedestrian Bridge links the east and west sides of Des Moines at the northern edge of The Principal Riverwalk loop. The bridge features two separate pathways - one for walkers or joggers and one for bicyclists. The bridge is lit by colorful lights that reflect onto the water and truly make it a beautiful site to see in Des Moines.

The city of Windsor Heights has a number of outdoor recreational opportunities including Colby Park, with its athletic fields, playground, performance pavilion and community center for indoor activities. Colby Park connects to the Colby Trail and the Clive Greenbelt. For information about any of these facilities, please contact City Hall.

The city of Clive has 15 parks, including our 300-acre greenbelt with nine miles of recreational trails. The aquatic center is open approximately Memorial Day through Labor Day and features pools, slides and a lazy river.

Des Moines Parks and Recreation offer a variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, picnicking, swimming and tennis. Golf courses, swimming pools, community centers, trail systems, special events and activities create opportunities for all!

With its many opportunities for walking, biking and other activities, Gray’s Lake is a great place to go to have a fun outdoor experience. Gray’s Lake Park consists of the 167-acre lake with a two-mile trail encircling. You can find many free activities to participate in throughout the year at the park.

Johnston offers many parks and miles of trails for you to enjoy. Many parks offer shelters and other amenities for your family potluck or other event. Check out our website to see what each park has to offer.

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is committed to restoring tall grass prairie and its associated habitats and wildlife. The facilities at the Refuge are available to the public for their use with the requirement that users provide time for a 15 minute Refuge presentation in their agenda.

Polk County Conservation manages 12,000 acres of prairies, wetlands, woodlands, trails and parks in Polk County. Their mission is to provide the citizens of Polk County with quality outdoor recreation, conservation education and the long-term protection of Polk County's natural heritage.

Urbandale is home to 48 parks, 38 miles of trails and 900 acres of parkland, plus the only indoor public swimming pool in the metro, a bustling Senior Center, numerous sports fields and indoor/outdoor shelters (indoor facilities available for rent). An active Parks and Recreation department offers an abundance of leisure opportunities year-round.

West Des Moines Parks and Recreation serves the leisure needs of the community through a variety of recreational programs and facilities. Highlights include: Raccoon River Park, Valley View Aquatic Center, Holiday Park Aquatic Center, many neighborhood parks and picnic shelters and over 30 miles of walking and biking trails.

The Blank Park Zoo is "Iowa's Wildest Adventure!" Experience the wonders of nature found in the tropical rainforests, Australian Outback and Africa. The zoo offers educational classes, tours and rental facilities.