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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
Adventures in Downtown Des Moines card image
green star 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...

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Downtown Riverwalk Riddle Romp card image
green star 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...

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about outdoor activities

An epic Des Moines, Iowa experience

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.
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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.

Man on a scavenger hunt walking tour

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.

Top Rated
Downtown card image
green star 4.8 (1 reviews)

Downtown

Downtown, Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines offers a rich tapestry of attractions, from the iconic Court Avenue Bridge to the lively atmosphere of East Village Arts. It is a top spot for...

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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.

5 star reviews

Using ScavengerHunt.com was an awesome way to explore downtown Des Moines. We found so many cool places we never knew existed!

Brian C.

5 star reviews

Our family loved this interactive adventure in Des Moines! It was engaging and educational, perfect for kids and adults alike.

Megan L.

5 star reviews

A fantastic walking tour that took us through Downtown's vibrant art scene. Highly recommend this as a fun thing to do!

Daniel H.

5 star reviews

We had an amazing experience discovering unique spots around East Village. Definitely a great neighborhood experience!

Laura M.

5 star reviews

A perfect way for tourists to see iconic landmarks in Des Moines. The app made it easy to navigate through interesting sites.

Chris G.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

Exploring Downtown was an unforgettable experience. The historical spots like the Polk County Courthouse were highlights of our tour.

David B.

5 star reviews

The Garden of Blessings was such a beautiful spot to visit. A great outdoor activity around the Riverwalk neighborhood.

Sarah W.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

I had a blast exploring the East Village. The murals and local history made for a fantastic walking tour experience.

Emily J.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

Such a fun way to spend an afternoon! The Crusoe Umbrella Sculpture added color to our adventure, making it memorable and engaging.

Megan W.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

A great family activity! We enjoyed discovering iconic murals and historical sites together during our walking tour of the East Village.

Laura M.

5 star reviews

I loved using the ScavengerHunt.com app to explore Downtown. It made finding interesting spots like Reunited with Bees so much easier!

Daniel G.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

The Flynn-Griffin Building is stunning! This outdoor activity in the Riverwalk area made for an enjoyable afternoon with friends.

David B.

5 star reviews

What a fantastic date idea! The interactive experience brought us closer as we uncovered cool spots around Des Moines.

Sarah W.

5 star reviews

This walking tour was a fun way to see the city. I loved learning about local history while wandering through Downtown.

Michael S.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

The interactive walking tour through Downtown was engaging. I loved uncovering interesting facts about places like the Polk County Heritage Gallery.

Daniel R.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

This self-guided tour made for a fantastic outdoor experience. Strolling along and discovering murals really brought Des Moines to life.

Chris G.

5 star reviews

Exploring the East Village was such a unique experience. The art scene is vibrant, especially with spots like Reunited, with Bees.

Jessica D.

5 star reviews

A great family activity in Des Moines! The kids loved finding clues and we all enjoyed the beautiful sights around the Riverwalk.

David B.

5 star reviews

This walking tour of Downtown was an amazing experience. I loved seeing the Polk County Courthouse and learning its rich history.

Sarah W.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

Had an amazing time on this unique experience! Exploring downtown's murals opened my eyes to all the creativity in our city.

James W.

5 star reviews

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.

5 star reviews

This was a cool way to see iconic landmarks like Reunited, with Bees while enjoying a self-guided tour of Des Moines.

Daniel H.

5 star reviews

We loved using the ScavengerHunt.com app to navigate through East Village. It made exploring so much more engaging!

Olivia M.

5 star reviews

A great outdoor activity around Riverwalk! Walking through this scenic area while uncovering history made my day special.

Chris G.

5 star reviews

Exploring downtown was such a fun experience. The murals like No Action Too Small really brought the area to life for us.

Jessica D.

5 star reviews

What a great date idea! We explored the Garden of Blessings and had an unforgettable time together in Des Moines.

David B.

5 star reviews

This experience is perfect for families. We enjoyed finding murals and learning about our beautiful East Village neighborhood.

Sarah W.

5 star reviews

The walking tour around City Hall was fantastic. I loved discovering local history and unique spots in the heart of the city.

Michael S.

5 star reviews

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.

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!
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