Embark on an exhilarating journey with our Des Moines Scavenger Hunt or immerse yourself in artistic wonders during our Art Walks across iconic landmarks and hidden gems in Des Moines.
Gather your friends or family for thrilling trivia quests, daring photo challenges, and exciting scavenger hunts that not only earn points but also create lasting memories through our innovative app.
Top Outdoor Activities In Des Moines, Iowa
In the heart of Iowa, where the vibrant Riverfront Des Moines meets the bustling East Village Arts, lies a treasure trove of outdoor activities waiting to be explored. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Des Moines offers a thrilling adventure for both tourists and locals alike. Dive into our unique outdoor experiences, including the renowned Des Moines Scavenger Hunt and the captivating Art Walks. Discover the excitement that awaits in every corner of this dynamic city.
Outdoor Experiences in Des Moines, Iowa
Welcome to our expertly curated list of outdoor activities in Des Moines! Each experience is designed to ignite your sense of adventure and curiosity. Whether you are exploring vivid street art or engaging in lively scavenger hunts, these activities promise unforgettable memories. Prepare to uncover new thrills and hidden treasures as you dive into each uniquely crafted journey.
Top Rated
4.8 (21 reviews)
Adventures in Downtown Des Moines
Downtown, Des Moines
Discover the hidden gems of Des Moines Downtown on our thrilling scavenger hunt! Uncover...
5.0 (25 reviews)
Downtown Riverwalk Riddle Romp
Downtown Art Walk, Des Moines
This Iowa art hunt is packed full of pieces that will inspire and amaze you! Murals don't...
An epic Des Moines, Iowa experience
How Our Des Moines, Iowa Outdoor Activities Work
Our expert team has meticulously researched over 3,050 cities worldwide, ensuring each outdoor activity is packed with unique challenges tailored specifically for you! Explore historical markers via trivia questions or tackle photo tasks at public art installations while earning points using our award-winning app.
Top Outdoor Attractions In Des Moines
Des Moines is brimming with top attractions perfect for outdoor activities. Stroll through Sculpture Park Hub or take in the views along Principal Riverwalk. Each location offers it's own charm and excitement, from historic architecture to modern art installations. Click on each location to see related activities.
Polk County Heritage Gallery
Wander by Polk County Heritage Gallery and peek through it's ever-changing window exhibits. This outdoor spot offers a glimpse into Des Moines' vibrant past without stepping inside.
City Hall
Admire City Hall's grand architecture from outside as you explore downtown Des Moines. It's stately presence is a testament to civic pride and history.
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Marvel at Hotel Fort Des Moines' historic charm from outside as you explore downtown's rich history and architectural beauty.
Polk County Courthouse
Observe Polk County Courthouse's impressive design from outside as you delve into it's historical significance within downtown Des Moines.
Court Avenue Bridge
Cross Court Avenue Bridge during your scavenger hunt to enjoy panoramic views of Des Moines River while unraveling hidden secrets from it's storied past.
Crusoe Umbrella Sculpture – Des Moines, IA
Find inspiration under Crusoe Umbrella Sculpture during our exciting scavenger hunt! This artistic landmark is perfect for creative photo challenges.
Flynn-Griffin Building
Solve intriguing puzzles around Flynn-Griffin Building while uncovering it's fascinating history during our adventurous scavenger hunt.
Des Moines Better Together Mural by Ben Schuh
Explore Des Moines' vibrant art scene with this interactive mural. Each letter reveals a unique city feature, making it a must-see for first-time visitors. Discover hidden gems in the Heart of Iowa.
Garden of Blessings by Patrick Faris
Discover the beauty of street art with this colorful garden mural in Des Moines. Each flower blooms on brick walls, creating an unexpected oasis in the cityscape. Perfect for art lovers exploring Riverfront Des Moines.
WorkSpace Mural by Jordan Weber
Uncover local stories through street art at this comic-inspired mural. A narrative unfolds as you explore each detail, making it an engaging stop on your Des Moines day trip.
No Action Too Small by Chris Vance
Experience green activism through vibrant street art in Des Moines. This mural encourages recycling with playful imagery and is a must-see for eco-conscious travelers exploring the Sculpture Park Hub.
Reunited, with Bees by Frank Hansen
Immerse yourself in raw emotion at this expressive mural by Frank Hansen. A highlight for any visitor keen on exploring Des Moines' artistic soul, located near the Capitol Complex Tours.
Welcome to the East Village by Unknown
Capture memories at this vibrant East Village mural—a beloved photo spot among locals that sets the tone for exploring hidden gems around Grand Avenue.
See our Top Outdoor Activities By Neighborhood
Explore Des Moines' vibrant neighborhoods like East Village Arts and Drake Neighborhood Vibes through exciting outdoor activities. These areas offer unique experiences that capture the essence of local culture and history. Click on these neighborhoods to see the related activity.
See what people say about our outdoor activities in Des Moines
Our customers rave about their adventures with us in Des Moines! With stellar reviews highlighting our engaging outdoor activities, it is clear why we are a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Discover what others love about our offerings by checking out their testimonials.
Using ScavengerHunt.com was an awesome way to explore downtown Des Moines. We found so many cool places we never knew existed!
Brian C.
Our family loved this interactive adventure in Des Moines! It was engaging and educational, perfect for kids and adults alike.
Megan L.
A fantastic walking tour that took us through Downtown's vibrant art scene. Highly recommend this as a fun thing to do!
Daniel H.
We had an amazing experience discovering unique spots around East Village. Definitely a great neighborhood experience!
Laura M.
A perfect way for tourists to see iconic landmarks in Des Moines. The app made it easy to navigate through interesting sites.
Chris G.
This was one of the best things to do in Des Moines. I loved learning about the local art scene while enjoying a self-guided tour.
Jessica D.
Exploring Downtown was an unforgettable experience. The historical spots like the Polk County Courthouse were highlights of our tour.
David B.
The Garden of Blessings was such a beautiful spot to visit. A great outdoor activity around the Riverwalk neighborhood.
Sarah W.
What a fun date idea in the heart of Des Moines. We discovered hidden gems and enjoyed each other's company while walking.
Michael S.
I had a blast exploring the East Village. The murals and local history made for a fantastic walking tour experience.
Emily J.
A must-do when visiting Des Moines! This self-guided tour helped me discover local treasures I'd never seen before in the Riverwalk area.
James A.
Such a fun way to spend an afternoon! The Crusoe Umbrella Sculpture added color to our adventure, making it memorable and engaging.
Megan W.
This was one of my favorite experiences in Des Moines. The tour led us to amazing art pieces and fascinating stories around town.
Chris L.
A great family activity! We enjoyed discovering iconic murals and historical sites together during our walking tour of the East Village.
Laura M.
I loved using the ScavengerHunt.com app to explore Downtown. It made finding interesting spots like Reunited with Bees so much easier!
Daniel G.
Exploring the WorkSpace Mural was such a fun thing to do in Des Moines. I highly recommend this unique experience for locals and tourists.
Jessica D.
The Flynn-Griffin Building is stunning! This outdoor activity in the Riverwalk area made for an enjoyable afternoon with friends.
David B.
What a fantastic date idea! The interactive experience brought us closer as we uncovered cool spots around Des Moines.
Sarah W.
This walking tour was a fun way to see the city. I loved learning about local history while wandering through Downtown.
Michael S.
I had a blast exploring the Garden of Blessings. It was such a unique experience in the East Village, perfect for discovering hidden gems.
Emily J.
I absolutely loved using ScavengerHunt.com for this experience. It made exploring the East Village fun and easy while learning about local art!
Brian L.
This was such a cool thing to do in Des Moines. We explored unique locations that we would have missed otherwise, highly recommend!
Laura H.
The interactive walking tour through Downtown was engaging. I loved uncovering interesting facts about places like the Polk County Heritage Gallery.
Daniel R.
We had so much fun on our scavenger hunt! It was a great way to see iconic spots in Downtown and learn more about our city.
Ashley M.
This self-guided tour made for a fantastic outdoor experience. Strolling along and discovering murals really brought Des Moines to life.
Chris G.
Exploring the East Village was such a unique experience. The art scene is vibrant, especially with spots like Reunited, with Bees.
Jessica D.
A great family activity in Des Moines! The kids loved finding clues and we all enjoyed the beautiful sights around the Riverwalk.
David B.
This walking tour of Downtown was an amazing experience. I loved seeing the Polk County Courthouse and learning its rich history.
Sarah W.
What a fun date idea in Des Moines! We worked together on the scavenger hunt and discovered hidden gems like the Better Together Mural.
Michael S.
I had a blast exploring the East Village. The murals were stunning and it was a great way to enjoy some fresh air while learning about local history.
Emily J.
Had an amazing time on this unique experience! Exploring downtown's murals opened my eyes to all the creativity in our city.
James W.
A must-do thing to do in Des Moines! The interactive tour gave us insights into local art and culture that we never knew before.
Sophia L.
This was a cool way to see iconic landmarks like Reunited, with Bees while enjoying a self-guided tour of Des Moines.
Daniel H.
We loved using the ScavengerHunt.com app to navigate through East Village. It made exploring so much more engaging!
Olivia M.
A great outdoor activity around Riverwalk! Walking through this scenic area while uncovering history made my day special.
Chris G.
Exploring downtown was such a fun experience. The murals like No Action Too Small really brought the area to life for us.
Jessica D.
What a great date idea! We explored the Garden of Blessings and had an unforgettable time together in Des Moines.
David B.
This experience is perfect for families. We enjoyed finding murals and learning about our beautiful East Village neighborhood.
Sarah W.
The walking tour around City Hall was fantastic. I loved discovering local history and unique spots in the heart of the city.
Michael S.
I had a blast exploring the WorkSpace Mural by Jordan Weber. Such a fun way to see hidden gems in downtown Des Moines.
Emily J.
FAQs.
What are some fun Outdoor Activities in Des Moines?
Are scavenger hunts good for groups in Des Moines?
I am new to Des Moines what do you recommend?
I am a Des Moines local would this be fun for me?
What is the full list of all the scavenger hunts and activities that I can do in Des Moines
LOCAL INSIGHTS
Fun Des Moines Facts and Hidden Gems
Did you know that Des Moines was originally called Fort Raccoon? This charming city has evolved from it's humble beginnings into a bustling hub known for it's rich cultural scene.
Another fun fact: The city hosts one of the largest state fairs in America - a testament to it's vibrant community spirit!
Another fun fact: The city hosts one of the largest state fairs in America - a testament to it's vibrant community spirit!
© 2016-2025 Let's Roam, LLC. Let’s Roam® is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved.
✕
Unlock An Extra 10% OFF Your First Order
You're Halfway To An Extra 10% OFF
Sign up for emails & texts to get your code
By submitting this form, you agree to receive recurring automated promotional and personalized marketing text messages (e.g. cart reminders) at the cell number used when signing up. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Msg frequency varies. Msg and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. First time users only. Does not apply to custom events.
By submitting, you agree to receive recurring automated promotional/personalized marketing text messages (e.g. cart reminders). Msg/data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel.