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BEST RATED DES MOINES, IA PLACES TO SEE

3 Best Places To See in Des Moines, IA

Expert-recommended Top 3 Places To Visit in Des Moines, Iowa. All of our places to see actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

Blank Park Zoo - Des Moines, IA Places To See - Destination Image
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11+ YEARS IN TBR
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BLANK PARK ZOO

(5.0 Score)
7401 Southwest 9th Street,
Des Moines, IA 50315 Directions

Since 1966

Specialty:

✓Libraries ✓Scout Programs ✓Weddings ✓Animal Days ✓Facility Rental ✓Homeschool Programs ✓Field Trips ✓Birthday Parties ✓Zoo Brew Reveal Party ✓Conservation Speaker Series ✓Group Visits ✓Exhibitions ✓Member Events ✓Spring Break Schedule ✓Early Education ✓Gators On The Green ✓Safari Camps ✓Family Nature Club ✓Summer Camps ✓Educational Workshops ✓Animal Encounters

"Blank Park Zoo is a 49-acre zoological park that aims to promote love of nature through conservation, awareness, science, and recreation. The zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is the only accredited zoo in Iowa. Visitors will notice the Meredith Alpine Display at the Discovery Center's door, accessed from the zoo's central guest lobby. The Discovery Center Aquarium includes aquatic environments from all over the world. The Blank Park Zoo manages 49 acres of land, of which 22 acres have been developed into animal exhibits or facilities. Currently, the zoo has 104 different animal species and 1,484 animal specimens. The Discovery Center will amaze you with its mountainous and tropical habitats filled with exotic plants, birds, fish, and animals. Blank Park Zoo offers free admission for members.

2026 Highlights: Blank Park Zoo has a partnership with Kulture City to enhance their ability to accommodate and assist guests with sensory processing needs."

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License #056745

Price:

Online Tickets
Children (2 To 12 years): $15
Adults (13 To 64 Years): $20
Senior Citizens (65+ Years): $19
Membership Levels
Membership Levels $139.00
Family Or Grandparent Plus $169.00
Individual Plus $99.00

Discount:

50% Off Admission At Nearly 200 Other Zoos And Aquariums, Including: Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, Kansas City Zoo, Great Plains Zoo, And Niabi Zoo

10% Off At The WildThings Gift Shop (Some Exclusions Apply)

10% Off At Outback Steakhouse (Clive Location Only)

Contact:

(515) 285-4722 (515) 974-2506

Mon-Sun: 9am - 5pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden - Des Moines, IA Places To See - Destination Image
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11+ YEARS IN TBR
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GREATER DES MOINES BOTANICAL GARDEN

(4.9 Score)
909 Robert D. Ray Drive,
Des Moines, IA 50309 Directions

Since 1979

Specialty:

✓Horticultural Exhibits ✓North Gallery ✓Plants ✓Garden Shop and Photos ✓Group Visits ✓Families and Educational Programs ✓Student Programs ✓Adult Education ✓Calendar of Events ✓Conservatory and Indoor Gardens ✓Venue Rentals ✓Youth Programs ✓Plant Collections ✓Outdoor Gardens ✓Guided Tours ✓Membership ✓Seasonal Exhibitions

“Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a 14-acre botanical garden that aims to explore, explain, and celebrate the world of plants. The garden has stunning indoor and outdoor gardens, engaging programming, and unique special events that offer memorable experiences all year long in a consistently friendly climate. The garden provides an everlasting visitor experience through progressive architecture, creative programs, and diverse exhibits. In 2013, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden became a nonprofit and underwent extensive renovation and expansion. From their storied Bonsai collection to uncommon plant species (like Carrie the Corpse Flower) to seven acres of outdoor gardens, there’s something of interest for gardening enthusiasts and casual observers alike. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden offers free admission for children under age 3.”

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License EIN #42-0540765

Price:

DAILY ADMISSION:
Adults(13+): $14
Seniors (65+): $13
Active Or Retired Military Persons: $13
Children (2 To 12): $10

Discount:

10% Off For Active Or Retired Military On Any Membership Level Purchased Onsite View Coupon

Contact:

(515) 323-6290

Tue & Fri: 10am - 7:30pm
Wed & Thu: 10am - 5pm
Sat & Sun: 9am - 4pm
Mon: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

Science Center of Iowa - Des Moines, IA Places To See - Destination Image
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11+ YEARS IN TBR
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SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA

(4.9 Score)
401 West Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway,
Des Moines, IA 50309 Directions

Since 1970

Specialty:

✓Science Museum ✓Traveling Exhibitions ✓Imax ✓Permanent Exhibits ✓Youth Programs ✓Adult Programs ✓Family and All-ages Programs ✓Live Programs ✓School Field Trips ✓Group Visits ✓Membership

“Science Center of Iowa aims to engage and inspire a love of science on-site and across the state. The museum was originally called the Des Moines Center of Science and Industry. The museum was renamed the Science Center of Iowa in 1985. The Science Center of Iowa moved to its current location in 2005. Here, you can immerse yourself in the captivating world of science and ignite your imagination. The center features special-format theaters and unique programming that attract Iowans and distant visitors. The museum attracts more than 300,000 people annually through a statewide educational outreach program. SCI programming reaches every county in Iowa, encourages cultural understanding, and provides Iowans with unique experiences. Science Center of Iowa offers free admission for members. Free entry for children under 2.”

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License #56673

Price:

GENERAL ADMISSION:
Child (2 To 12): $15
Adults (13 To 64): $20
Senior (65+): $15

Discount:

10% Off at the A-ha! Store For Members

15% Off at the Restaurants For Members View Coupon

Contact:

(515) 274-6868

Tue-Sun: 9am - 4pm
Mon: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

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BLANK PARK ZOO REVIEWS

We got to do a tour of the cassowaries. It was amazing. They are amazing birds. We even got to feed them. The staff we were friendly and knowledgeable. After the tour, we walked around the rest of the zoo. I really like that it is a smaller zoo and doesn't take the entire day to go through it. Because it is smaller, you get a more personal experience like the tour of the cassowaries.

Great place to take the family or have a date day! Or even event! Enjoy some outside time and see some animals! It's a zoo! You can't go wrong! And it's well kept and fun Enjoy the zoo many times, and just know that there's always something else you missed or something that's new to enjoy.

We went for the first time on my kiddos field trip. Had an all around great time. Unfortunately some of the animal enclosures were closed due to maintenance and cleaning, and there were still plenty of other animals to see.

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GREATER DES MOINES BOTANICAL GARDEN REVIEWS

Went to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden for their final “Dome After Dark” of the season and it was amazing. The lighting and decor really highlighted the plants and made everything come alive with color. It was a bit more crowded than I anticipated with a ticketed event but we still had a such a good time. The gift shop was also very cute with different plant themed items for sale.

A fantastic experience well worth the price of admission. The gardens are maintained well and the staff was friendly and helpful. Excellent bonsai. At the time of our visit they were hosting an outdoor garden market with a variety of small vendors and garden enthusiasts. A highlight of our trip to Iowa.

This was the host site for a 2-day work shop I attended which was great for built-in breaks and breakout work sessions with other attendees. We were allowed to spread out and explore the gardens in our break time. This is one of the many gems to visit in downtown Des Moines.

SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA REVIEWS

If you haven't done the sensory hours at the science center, you are missing out. My daughters and myself are very sensitive to sound so once a month they offer a sensory friendly night. It literally felt like we had the place to ourselves. Of course we didn't but only 10 or so families were there tonight spread all out the science center. We always love the activity room on the second floor with the rockets and water table, and the little play room on the first floor off to the left. My girls are 4. They had a great lego display on the first floor off to the back left and the kids loved picking corn, apples and gathering chicken eggs in the play room.

We used SCI as a venue for a corporate end of year holiday party and it was a hit! Jasmine helped us complete our vision of the party exactly and was very communicative. We were able to use the Star Theater for a cocktail hour, have dinner in the hall, and let our guests explore the exhibits afterwards. For a group of civil engineers, this was a super fun venue for us! The bartenders were nice and much appreciated. Overall it was so fun, our guests couldn't stop talking about how great it was, and it was easy to schedule because of how helpful Jasmine was.

Most of the things here are for kids but my boyfriend and I still managed to spend 4 hours here wandering around the exhibits and going to the events like the snapping turtle feeding. I really liked the pterodactyl exhibit which is only a temporary exhibit.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

BLANK PARK ZOO Total Inspection Points: 120/120
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Real Discounts: 10
Social Media: 10
Video: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

GREATER DES MOINES BOTANICAL GARDEN Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Business Hours: 9
Contact Info: 9
Business Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Real Discounts: 10
Social Media: 10
Video: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA Total Inspection Points: 117/120
Business Images: 9
Contact Info: 9
Social Media: 9
Business Hours: 10
Complete Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Real Discounts: 10
Website Source: 10