Believe it or not, school’s out in a few short weeks and it’s time to start working on that Summer Bucket List! Here is a list of our top 10 things to do in the Waukee / Des Moines area this Summer!
1. Celebrate Waukee: Unlock Yours
The second annual Celebrate Waukee festival is a family-friendly event perfect to get the Summer started right! With a movie, 5K run, inflatables, live music and fireworks, the festival is sure to please everyone in the family!
Date: June 3 – 4, 2016
2. Dallas County Fair
The Dallas County Fair is another fantastic taste of an Iowa-Summer. With 4-H shows, races, games and SO much more, the Dallas County Fair will quickly become an annual Summer-tradition!
Date: July 6 – 10, 2016
3. Living History Farms
Not just for school field trips, Living History Farms makes the perfect destination for some definite fun mixed with a little educational enrichment. The 500-acre outdoor museum tells an amazing story of how Iowans transformed the land over 300 years ago to the most productive farmland.
Hours:
Open Daily: May 1 – August 28, 2016
Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-4:00pm
Sunday, Noon-4:00pm
4. Saylorville Lake
Who doesn’t dream of playing on the water in a boat during those hot summer months!? Luckily, Saylorville Lake Marina makes dreams come true. Saylorville Lake Marina is Iowa’s premier boating and recreation spot, with a full-service marina dedicated to providing safe, fun, memorable experiences on our beautiful lake.
Store Hours:
Monday – Thursday, 8:00am-7:00pm
Friday – Sunday, 8:00am-8:00pm
Shuttle Boat Service:
Monday – Thursday, 9:00am-9:00pm
Friday, 9:00am-12:00am
Saturday, 8:00am-12:00am
Sunday, 8:00am-10:00pm
5. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Explore tropical gardens and breathtaking flowers in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens. Explore the world of plants, learn a few gardening skills and take in the beauty.
Hours:
Daily 10:00am — 5:00pm
Trellis Cafe 11:00am — 2:00pm (Tue-Sun)
6. Science Center of Iowa
More than just your run-of-the-mill science museum, The Science Center of Iowa brings learning to life through hands-on learning and exploration! There is also an IMAX theater for a truly one-of-a-kind moving going experience!
Summer Hours (Memorial Day – Labor Day):
Monday – Saturday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday, 12:00pm – 5:00pm
7. Clive Aquatics Center
It’s not “officially” Summer until you’ve splished and splashed in a pool. The Clive Aquatic Center has something for everyone including a kiddie pool, lazy river, lap pool, splash pad and water slide!
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 11:30am – 7:00pm
Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am – 6:00pm
8. Holiday Park Aquatics Center
No Summer Bucket List includes only ONE way to get wet! The Holiday Park Aquatics Center offers another perfect place to dip your toes with three different kinds of slides!
Regular Hours (Starting June 2nd):
Weekdays, 11:30am-7:00pm ** Holiday closes at 5:30pm due to evening swim lessons during the following date ranges: 6/13-24, 7/5-29**
Saturdays, 11:30am-6:00pm
Sundays, Noon-5:45pm
9. Brown’s Woods Forest Preserve
Perfect for the nature lovers out there, Brown’s Woods Forest Preserve Brown’s Woods, Iowa’s largest urban forest preserve, offers more than four miles of trails to explore. This 486-acre forest provides a canopy of oak and hickory trees that stretch from Brown’s Woods Drive to the Raccoon River.
Summer Hours:
Monday – Sunday, 6:30am-10:30pm
10. Adventureland
With dozens of rides, including live shows and roller coasters, Adventureland is an obvious Summer Bucket List choice. With Adventure Bay waterpark included in your price of admission and the much anticipated debut of The Monster roller coaster this June, who wouldn’t be first in line?
Visit the website for full list of hours!