20+ Things to See and Do in Grimes, Iowa

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20+ Things to See and Do in Grimes, Iowa

Grimes, Iowa is located northwest of the Des Moines area and is quickly growing with families and businesses. Some current big projects include the GrimesPlex, a new and larger library, a splash pad, and more. Grimes is a popular place for families to live to experience a small-town feel not far from the heart of Des Moines, Iowa.

Plan your day trip to Grimes, Iowa and explore all of the fun it has to offer! Here are over 20 things to see and do in Grimes, Iowa.

Al’s Dairy Freeze

Address: 1220 NE Station Crossing Dr., Grimes, IA 50111

Al’s Dairy Freeze offers soft-serve ice cream, malts, and shakes. They are most commonly known for their specialty Snowstorms. They are located near the new Heritage area which offers a greenspace with more additions to come. Ride your bike or take a walk. A fun place to grab a sweet treat in Grimes!

Canoyer Garden Center

Address: 3355 SE Gateway Dr., Grimes, IA 50111

Canoyer Garden Center is not your typical garden center. Canoyer offers hundreds of plants, fun gifts in their in-store shop Glasshouse Market, community events throughout the year, and more. This is a great place to bring the kids to pick out plants, walk around their large greenhouse for inspiration, or stop to purchase a holiday or birthday gift.

Climb Iowa

Address: 3605 Miehe Drive, Grimes, IA 50111

Challenge yourself! Climb Iowa offers 10,000 square feet of bouldering that reach up to 37.5 feet high. They are Iowa’s largest indoor climbing and training gym right here in Grimes. Whether you have a ton of experience or none at all, there is something for all ages and levels.

Grimes Community Complex

Address: 410 SE Main Street Grimes, IA 50111

The Grimes Community Complex has many offerings for the Grimes and surrounding communities including batting cages, a gym, a Kids Zone program for children 6 years or younger, and Open Gym times. This is a great place to play and burn off energy during the Winter months. They also offer many community rooms to be rented for meetings and/or events.

Grimes Fall Festival

Address: Located at the Grimes South Sports Complex

Every year the City of Grimes and Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa come together to put on the Grimes Fall Festival at the beginning of October. The festival includes plenty of candy, food trucks, a kid zone, demonstrations, great vendors, and activities for all ages. Bring the whole family and wear your costume. A fun way to celebrate the Fall season in Grimes, Iowa.

Grimes Governor’s Days

A community event everyone looks forward to each year! Grimes Governor’s Days is put on by the Grimes Chamber & Economic Development which brings together the businesses, organizations, and people of the Grimes community for an entire weekend of fun. The weekend includes live music, carnival rides, parades, a 5k run, vendors, a beer garden, food, and more.

Grimes Public Library

Address: 200 N. James St. Grimes, IA 50111

The Grimes Public Library is much more than a library but is a place to gather and get creative in the Grimes community. They offer special programming for all ages including adults from Early Out Adventures and LEGO club to Tail Waggin’ Readers and Coffee and Conversations. The Grimes Public Library welcomes people from all over the Des Moines area to come and experience their space. The new Grimes Library is officially open and offers many amazing new amenities including fun kids’ play space.

Grimes Sports Complex

Address: 750 S James Street, Grimes, IA 50111

The Grimes Sports Complex is a 45-acre complex located on the south side of Grimes. It offers a playground, skateboard park, walking trails, pickleball courts, baseball, and soccer fields, and so much more. This is a popular place where many Grimes events are held and you will find many families playing and enjoying the outdoors.

Home Base Iowa Fireworks Show

Address: Located at the Grimes South Sport Complex

Every year in partnership with the City of Grimes, a Home Base Iowa Community, looks forward to celebrating our nation’s Independence Day on the evening of July 4th at the Grimes South Sports Complex. If you are looking for a way to celebrate the Fourth of July, head to Grimes for this fun annual event for the entire family.

Hy-Vee

Address: 351 NE Gateway Dr, Grimes, IA 50111

One of the biggest and most unique Hy-Vee stores is located in Grimes, Iowa. This Hy-Vee store is much more than grocery shopping. They also offer a food hall, Starbucks, pharmacy, shoe and clothing store, and much more. You can spend an entire morning wandering the store taking in the unique architecture and technology this Hy-Vee store has to offer. Make sure you grab lunch too!

Heavenly Delights

Address: 105 E 1st Street, Grimes, Iowa

Heavenly Delights is located on the main road of Grimes and has seasonal hours. They offer 40 flavors of hard-pack ice cream and 19 flavors of soft serve. This is a fun stop after a day at the Grimes South Sports Complex or storytime at the Grimes Public Library.

Kennybrook South Park

Address: 750 SW Brookside Dr, Grimes, IA 50111

Grimes offers many parks and playgrounds to play at, but our family’s favorite is Kennybrook South Park. There are a ton of slides, climbing options, swings, a walking path, and more. It is a unique playground that offers different playground equipment to play on compared to other central Iowa parks.

Lightbrite Coffee Roasters

Address: 1895 SE Grimes Blvd Suite 104, Grimes, IA 50111

I love my coffee and whenever I visit a new town I am always looking for the local coffee shop. Lighrbrite Coffee is known for its specialty coffee and small-batch roastery. They take pride in their producers, roasters, and customers. A beautiful place to sit and chat with a friend or get some work done.

Mid Iowa Gymnastics

Address: 1500 SE 19th St Suite 380, Grimes, IA 50111

If you have a child who loves gymnastics or wants to give it a try Mid Iowa Gymnastics is the place! They welcome members and non-members to come to experience their 22,000-square-foot gym which offers state-of-the-art equipment and a preschool area. Sign up for one of their Open Gyms or book a birthday party!

Glenstone MultiGolf Park

Address: At the intersection of Southeast 37th and 100th streets in Grimes. 

The Glenstone MultiGolf Park is the first in the Des Moines metro and the first 18-hole multi-golf course in the nation. Not sure what MultiGolf is? Here is a great video to learn before you go.

Natavi Swim School

Address: 275 SW Brookside Dr, Grimes, IA 50111

Natavi Swim School offers swim lessons and programs for all ages and abilities. They offer yoga, water pilates, and family open swimming. Take a look at their schedule and plan your visit to Natavi.

Old School Pinball & Arcade

Address: 209 SE Main St, Grimes, IA 50111

This a fun spot for all ages in Grimes! The Old School Pinball & Arcade offers old-school pinball, arcade games, and ice cream. You do not pay by the game. It is a one-time price for the day for unlimited play. A great place to hang out on a cold winter day or a super hot summer day!

Pole Position Raceway

Address: 1350 SE Gateway Dr # 108, Grimes, IA 50111

Pole Position Raceway offers electric-powered go-karting for adults & children on an indoor track, plus a small arcade & gift shop all indoors! The whole family will enjoy hours of racing and fun.

Pure Sweat + Float Studio

Address: 1220 NE Station Crossing Dr. Suite 110, Grimes, IA 50111

If you are looking for a little self-care head to Pure Sweat + Float Studio in Grimes! Whether you are looking to unwind for health reasons or just disconnect from the busy world around us this is a great place. They offer Infrared Saunas and a float tank. It is a beautiful oasis in Grimes.

Rainbow of the Heartland

Address: 3300 SE Crossroads Dr, Grimes, IA 50111

Rainbow of the Heartland may sell fun playground equipment, but did you know you can host a birthday party or enjoy open play at this facility? Open Play is your child’s chance to experience and use all of the showroom playgrounds and equipment for a small fee. A fun indoor play place in the Des Moines area.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Address: 1300 SE Gateway Dr. Suite 103, Grimes, IA 50111

Bounce all those wiggles at Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Grimes! Jump in the foam zone, play ultimate dodgeball, or jump over obstacles in the parkour box. A fun way for the entire family to get some movement in.

Tour de Grimes

Address: Begins and ends at Waterworks Park in Grimes

This annual bike ride is a great way to take in Grimes, Iowa during the Summer. The event is a fundraising effort put on by the Rotary Club of West Polk County and is for the entire family to participate in!

Waterworks Park and Splash Pad

Address: 100 N James Street in Grimes

Waterworks Park and Splash Pad is officially open to the public. This area is full of climbing fun, slides, green space to play, a large art sculpture, and more. It is located near the old Grimes Library, North of Highway 44.

Grimes, Iowa, Waterworks Park, splash pad, Grimes parks

Coming Soon to Grimes, Iowa

  • GrimesPlex – The GrimesPlex will be a 40-acre outdoor sports complex that is currently being built. The area will be home to many soccer fields, softball and baseball fields, restaurants, entertainment, and more.

Not far from Grimes, Iowa

If you are traveling through Grimes make sure you make a stop at these fun places too!

  • Jester Park – Jester Park is located in Granger, Iowa just a bit north of Grimes on Highway 141. They have a fun nature center, mini gold, hiking trail, bison, elk, and so much more.
  • Brenton Arboretum – Head through Grimes into Dallas Center to The Brenton Arboretum. A fun place to take in beautiful nature, hiking trails, and programming.
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Erin Huiatt

Erin is a reliable resource and stepping stone for women and families to find support and make connections within our community. She wants families to feel confident to reach out and ask for help and advice to get pointed in the right direction. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her two children in tow!

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