Des Moines Photography Challenge – 26 Budget Friendly Fun in Des Moines, IA Locations from A to Z
Planning a trip to Des Moines, Iowa and looking for more things to do during your stay? I’ve got you covered! Des Moines, Iowa has so many things to do, from appreciating the architecture, the history and the views – you and your camera will have a very busy weekend. Here is a 26 location photography challenge that leads you all around Des Moines to gorgeous and free/affordable spaces for you to enjoy your stay. Make your trip to Des Moines super memorable by completing all 26 locations:
26 Photo Locations Near Des Moines, Iowa
A: Ashworth Park
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Ashworth Park; visiting Ashworth Park is free. You can plan your visit to Ashworth Park as well as get updates on any events happening nearby by checking out their website.
📍 4500 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
B: Blank Park Zoo
There is a cost to walk around and enjoy Blank Park Zoo; visiting Blank Park Zoo is ~$20.00 for 1 adult ticket, you should check out their website for any deals/updates. You can plan your visit to Blank Park Zoo by checking out their website.
📍 7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
C: Capitol Hill
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Capitol Hill; visiting Capitol Hill is free, but there are tours available. You can plan your visit to Capitol Hill by checking out their website.
📍 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319
D: Des Moines Art Center
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Des Moines Art Center; visiting Des Moines Art Center is free and their website states that admission is always free. You can plan your visit to Des Moines Art Center by checking out their website.
📍 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
E: East Village
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy East Village; visiting East Village is free. You can plan your visit to East Village by checking out their website.
📍 E 6th St & E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
F: Fleur Drive Sculpture Park
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Fleur Drive Sculpture Park; visiting Fleur Drive Sculpture Park is free it’s open to the public year round. You can plan your visit to Fleur Drive Sculpture Park by checking out their website.
📍 4700 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
G: Gray’s Lake Park
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Gray’s Lake Park; visiting Gray’s Lake Park is free.
You can plan your visit to Gray’s Lake Park by checking out their website.
📍 2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
H: Hoyt Sherman Place
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Hoyt Sherman Place; visiting Hoyt Sherman Place is free, though event tickets and tours may have a fee. You can plan your visit to Hoyt Sherman Place by checking out their website.
📍 1501 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
I: Iowa State Capitol
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Iowa State Capitol; visiting Iowa State Capitol is free. You can plan your visit to Iowa State Capitol by checking out their website.
📍 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319
J: John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Pappajohn Sculpture Park; visiting Pappajohn Sculpture Park is free and their website states that they are open year round. You can plan your visit to Pappajohn Sculpture Park by checking out their website.
📍 1330 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
K: Krumm Nature Preserve
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Krumm Nature Preserve; visiting Krumm Nature Preserve is free, but there are certain activities that have daily usage fees – I highly suggest checking out their website to see what applies. You can plan your visit to Krumm Nature Preserve by checking out their website.
📍 3201 SE 72nd St, Des Moines, IA 50327
L: Lauridsen Skatepark
There is no cost to walk around, skate and enjoy Lauridsen Skatepark; visiting Lauridsen Skatepark is free. You can plan your visit to Lauridsen Skatepark by checking out their website.
📍 901 2nd Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
M: Meredith Trail
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Meredith Trail; visiting Meredith Trail is free. You can plan your visit to Meredith Trail by checking out their website.
📍 500 SW 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
N: Neal Smith Trail
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Neal Smith Trail; visiting Neal Smith Trail is free. You can plan your visit to Neal Smith Trail by checking out their website.
📍 100 E 1st St, Des Moines, IA 50309
O: Olmsted Woods
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Olmsted Woods; visiting Olmsted Woods is free. You can plan your visit to Olmsted Woods by checking out their website.
📍 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
P: Pappajohn Higher Education Center
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Pappajohn Higher Education Center; visiting Pappajohn Higher Education Center is free. You can plan your visit to Pappajohn Higher Education Center by checking out their website.
📍 1200 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Q: Quarry Springs Park
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Quarry Springs Park; visiting Quarry Springs Park is free – there are some activities available that you may need a license/rental for so I highly suggest checking up their website to see what applies to you. You can plan your visit to Quarry Springs Park by checking out their website.
📍 200 N 55th St, Colfax, IA 50054
R: Raccoon River Park
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Raccoon River Park; visiting Raccoon River Park is free – there may be a price for certain activities like archery or historical tours. You can plan your visit to Raccoon River Park by checking out their website.
📍 2500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265
S: Salisbury House & Gardens
There is a cost to walk around and enjoy Salisbury House & Gardens; visiting Salisbury House & Gardens is ~$10.00 for 1 adult ticket doing self guided tours and ~$15 per person ticket for the guided tour, you should check out their website for any deals/updates. You can plan your visit to Salisbury House & Gardens by checking out their website.
📍 4025 Tonawanda Dr, Des Moines, IA 50312
T: Terrace Hill
There is a cost to walk around and enjoy Terrace Hill; visiting Terrace Hill is ~$5.00 for 1 adult ticket, you should check out their website for any deals/updates.
You can plan your visit to Terrace Hill by checking out their website.
📍 2300 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
U: Union Park
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Union Park; visiting Union Park is free. You can plan your visit to Union Park by checking out their website.
📍 725 Thompson Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
V: Valley Junction
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Valley Junction; visiting Valley Junction is free, but you may want to bring some cash so that you could participate in some of the events they host/buy food. You can plan your visit to Valley Junction by checking out their website.
📍 217 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
W: Water Works Park
There is no cost to walk around and enjoy Water Works Park; visiting Water Works Park is free. You can plan your visit to Water Works Park by checking out their website.
📍 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
X: Xavia at Exile Brewing Co.
There is a cost to walk around and enjoy Exile Brewing Co.; food and drinks are available for purchase. You can plan your visit to Exile Brewing Co. by checking out their website.
📍 1514 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Y: Yellow Banks Park
There is a cost to walk around and enjoy Yellow Banks Park; there are different pricing tiers depending on the activities you’re interested in trying. You can plan your visit to Yellow Banks Park by checking out their website.
📍 6801 SE 32nd Ave, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Z: Zoo Loop Trail
Where is a cost to visit Blank Part Zoo; the admission fee is about $20 for adults. You can plan your visit to Blank Park Zoo by checking out their website.
📍 7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315 (inside Blank Park Zoo)
Have you been to any of these locations in Des Moines?
Meshing the two things I love most, photography and travel can lead to very exciting itineraries. It’s even better that most of these locations are totally free to enjoy, but there are some paid options if you’re interested in adding any extra activities during your Iowa stay. I’d love to hear more about how are you completed the photography challenge and how your time in Des Moines was. I’d also like to know if there’s any other stops you’d recommend so that we can have the ultimate photography list in Des Moines Iowa.
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