• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Explore Des Moines
    • Winter in Des Moines
    • Our 10+ Favorite Des Moines Parks
    • Nature Areas and Parks in Des Moines
    • Des Moines Bike Trails Guide
    • Principal Riverwalk
    • Best Hiking Trails in Des Moines
  • Camping & Cabins
    • Best Fall Camping Near Des Moines
    • Camping Checklist [+ PDF]
    • Camping With Kids
    • Ultimate List of RV Essentials
    • Easy Camping Food Ideas
    • Iowa State Parks With Cabins
    • Des Moines Campground Guide
    • A Guide to Des Moines RV Parks
    • Cabin Rentals Near Des Moines
  • About
  • Contact Us
Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines Outdoors

Things to Do In Des Moines: Winter Edition

DSMOutdoors

winter city

Are you looking for some fun things to do in Des Moines this winter? Look no further.

If the winter blahs got you down and you dream of beaches and sunshine, it’s time to get out and have some fun! Sitting around waiting for spring won’t make it come any faster. So, whether you live in Des Moines or are just visiting, this is your guide to all kinds of fun things to do in Des Moines this winter. 

Related articles:
• 10 Fun Winter Weekend Getaways Near Des Moines
• Fun Things to Do Over Winter Break in Des Moines
• 10+ Fun Winter Date Ideas for the Des Moines Area
• 5 of the Best Iowa Winter Getaways & Vacation Ideas
• Try a Fun Winter Scavenger Hunt to Beat Cabin Fever!

Things to Do In Des Moines: Winter Edition

Things to See (Tours, Events, and More)

Below are the museums, theaters, sports, and other entertainment in and around the Des Moines area. And all of it is winter-friendly fun! So, go take in a show, tour a museum, or attend an event. 

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

  • Self-guided or guided tours
  • Special events & classes
  • Garden shop & cafe

Iowa State Historical Museum

  • Free admission
  • Exhibits & Tours
  • Programs & Workshops

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

  • Self-guided and guided tours
Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines Winter
Pappajohn Sculpture Park

State Capitol Tour

  • Guided and self-guided tours (free!)
  • Gift shop

Des Moines Art Center

  • Free admission
  • World-class art collections & unique architecture
  • Self-guided and guided tours
  • Events, classes, and programs

Des Moines Civic Center (Des Moines Performing Arts)

  • Concerts & Events
  • Des Moines Symphony performances

Iowa Events Center/Wells Fargo Arena

  • Concerts
  • Sporting events (Iowa Wolves, Iowa Wild)
  • Convention Center

Des Moines Funny Bone

  • Comedy shows
  • Food & drinks

Des Moines Playhouse

  • Shows & Events
  • Classes

Movie Theaters

  • Flix Brewhouse, Des Moines
  • The Varsity Cinema, Des Moines
  • AMC Classic Southridge 12, Des Moines
  • Century 20 Jordan Creek, West Des Moines
  • AMC Classic Cobblestone 9, Urbandale
  • AMC Classic Johnston 16, Johnston
  • The Palms Theater & IMAX, Waukee
  • B & B Theaters, Ankeny
  • Copper Creek 9, Pleasant Hill
  • Cinemark, Altoona

Things to Experience

Below is a list of places with interactive fun and hands-on experiences, great for kids and adults alike!

Science Center of Iowa

  • Interactive exhibits
  • Planetarium
  • Engaging programs and events

Des Moines Children’s Museum

  • Interactive exhibits
  • Child-led play
  • Events

Sleepy Hollow Sports Park

  • Snow tubing and sledding

Blank Park Zoo

  • Many exhibits are open in the winter
  • Events & community programs

Principal Riverwalk

  • Two iconic pedestrian bridges
  • Stop at the Riverwalk Hub & Brenton Skating Plaza
Women of Achievement Bridge, Des Moines Winter
Women of Achievement Bridge/Principal Riverwalk

Iowa Hall of Pride

  • Interactive exhibits & videos
  • Scavenger hunts & trivia

Trampoline Parks

  • Skyzone
  • Get Air Des Moines

Escape Rooms

  • The Escape Rooms 
  • Breakout Games
  • Escape Chambers

Climb Iowa

  • Bouldering & Ropes
  • Orientation for first-timers
  • Classes & gym equipment

Winter Farmer’s Market

  • Seasonal produce
  • Homemade goodies
  • Art

Create! Painting, pottery, and more

  • Glazed Expressions
  • Five Monkeys
  • Painting with a Twist
  • Kunzler Studios
  • Red Circle Pottery
  • Board & Brush
  • Artfull, LLC

Bowling Alleys

  • Air Lanes Bowling Center, Des Moines
  • Bowlerama Lanes, Des Moines
  • Gameday Lanes, Des Moines
  • Val Lanes, West Des Moines
  • Great Escape, Pleasant Hill
  • Warrior Lanes, Waukee
  • B Roll Bowling, Ankeny
  • Uncle Bucks Fish Bowl & Grill, Altoona

Jester Park Nature Center

  • Interpretive nature exhibits
  • Classes and events
  • Snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals nearby
Nature Center
Jester Park Nature Center

Shopping

  • Jordan Creek Town Center
  • Historic East Village
  • Valley Junction
  • Shops at Roosevelt
  • Merle Hay Mall
  • Valley West Mall
  • Southridge Mall
  • Outlets of Des Moines
  • Bass Pro Shop

Things to Do Outdoors in the Winter around Des Moines

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you need to stay inside! You can get outdoors and enjoy nature with the proper clothing, even when it’s cold and snowy. Below are some fun things to do outdoors in the winter around Des Moines.

Holiday Lights

During the holiday season, get out to see all the fantastic light displays around Central Iowa. (You can even book a limo to make your holiday light tour more special!)

Ice Skating

  • Brenton Skating Plaza
  • Community Ice Rinks
Brenton Skating Plaza, Des Moines Winter

Sledding

  • Waveland and Bright-Grandview Golf Courses
  • Other excellent sledding hills in the area

Snow tubing and skiing

  • Sleepy Hollow Sports Park (closed 2021)
  • Seven Oaks Recreation

Snowshoeing

  • Rent snowshoes
  • Hiking trails in the Des Moines Area
  • Jester Park
snowshoes

Cross Country Skiing

  • Rent cross-country skis
  • Jester Park
  • Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
  • Big Creek State Park

Ice Fishing

  • Big Creek Lake
  • Badger Creek Lake
  • Brushy Creek Lake

Hiking in Des Moines

Birdwatching (& see the bald eagles!)

bald eagle perched in tree

Get out there and experience the fun things to do in Des Moines this winter!

As you can see, there’s no shortage of fantastic things to do in Des Moines during the winter! Get outdoors for fresh air and exercise, take in a show, or take part in interactive activities. No matter what you enjoy, there’s something out there for everyone!

Photo credit: Pixabay & Des Moines Outdoors

facebookShare on Facebook
TwitterTweet
PinterestSave

Filed Under: Things to Do, Winter Activities

Primary Sidebar

About Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines Outdoors is a site dedicated to helping you find the best of everything outdoors in the state of Iowa. We’re native Iowans that, for over 25 years, camped, hiked, biked, and explored our home state. We encourage you to do the same.

There’s so much more to see and do in Iowa than many people imagine! Our goal is to help visitors and residents alike experience the best of our beautiful state.

Search

More Outdoor Fun in Iowa

Sign up for our seasonal newsletter on the best things to do and places to see!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    No spam, just four newsletters each year.

    Built with ConvertKit
    Winter scavenger hunt printables
    outdoor gift guides
    Rv Essentials

    Recent Articles

    • Car Camping Essentials: How to get ready to car camp & gear you need
    • Winter Sowing Seeds: List of best seeds to winter sow and how to do it
    • Top Lakes in Iowa: 12 Best Lakes for Recreation and Relaxation
    • Tennis & Pickleball Courts in Des Moines: Find an Outdoor Public Court Near You
    • Winter Hiking Gear: Best winter hiking boots, pants & other gear you need

    Categories

    Footer

    Categories

    Archives

    DISCLAIMER/DISCLOSURE

    We make no express or implied claims or warranties regarding this website or results from using the information, content, materials, products, or services on DesMoinesOutdoors.com.

    Everything you read on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We do our best to keep up with the latest info on parks, trails, and other outdoor activities. But things change, and we don’t always know. 

    Outdoor activities can be dangerous and unpredictable. Use of the information on DesMoinesOutdoors.com is at the users’ risk. Users recognize this risk and agree to hold us harmless for any liability from the use of information on DesMoinesOutdoors.com, including, but not limited to, bodily injury, death, property damage, sickness, or disease. We assume no liability for the use of this website, any information on the site, or any inconvenience or injury resulting from information on the activities or places on this site.

    This site may contain affiliate links. See the full disclosure here.

    Copyright © 2023 · Des Moines Outdoors