Easy day trips when you want to get out of Grimes for the day.
Grimes sits in a handy spot: close to the city, close to the country. When you want a change of scenery for a day, here are the easy wins, all within a short drive.
Lakes and trails
Get outside
Big Creek State Park (near Polk City), a lake for boating, swimming beach, and trails, a short drive north.
Raccoon River Valley Trail (nearest trailhead in Waukee), one of the longest paved trails in the country, great for a long bike ride out to Adel or Perry.
Ledges State Park (near Boone), sandstone bluffs and hiking, about an hour away.
Family outings
For the kids
Adventureland (Altoona), the classic Iowa amusement park, on the east side of the metro.
Living History Farms (Urbandale), a hands-on look at Iowa history, close by.
Blank Park Zoo and the Science Center of Iowa (Des Moines), reliable rainy-day picks.
The city
Downtown Des Moines
Twenty minutes away, downtown Des Moines has the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the East Village, the Downtown Farmers Market in season, and the state capitol, an easy half-day whenever you want it.
One email a week, all of it local
The Grimes Brief is free every Monday morning, made only for Grimes.