20+ Things to See and Do in Urbandale, Iowa
Urbandale, Iowa is located to the West of Des Moines, Iowa, just south of Grimes, Iowa and only a hop, skip and jump from downtown Des Moines. Just like many other communities in the Des Moines metro, Urbandale is growing with new businesses and developments. There are many things to see, do, and experience in Urbandale. Plan your day trip to Urbandale, Iowa, and learn what makes Urbandale unique!
Here are the top things to see and do in Urbandale, Iowa.
Breakout Games
Address: 3763 86th St, Urbandale
Are you up to the challenge? Breakout Games is the perfect place for the entire family to work together and problem-solve! They offer various levels and themes of escape rooms and have been voted the #1 escape room in Des Moines.
Barrett Boesen Park
Address: 156th Street & Waterford Road, Urbandale
This Urbandale park is unique because it is a natural playscape. Barrett Boesen Natural Playscape for any child who loves to get dirty and make mud pies. There are fun water features, plenty of climbing options, and more. This is a great way for your kids to use their imaginations and play outdoors.
Friedrichs Coffee Roasters
Address: 4632 NW 86th Street, Urbandale
Friedrichs Coffee has a few locations across the Des Moines metro including its home base in Urbandale. They are a small batch of Artisan roasters that offer high-quality, small batches of coffee beans. Stop in to grab coffee beans, tea, a latte, and other fun items in the shop. Friedrichs is a comfy spot to meet a friend or sit to get some work done.
Get Air
Address: 3799 86th Street, Urbandale
Jump and get all the wiggles out at Get Air! This trampoline park is a great place to host a birthday party, meet some friends, get exercise, and more. They offer Toddler Time several times a week, special hours for jumpers with special needs, family day, and more. A fun place for the entire family!
Goldfish Swim School
Address: 3771 86th Street, Urbandale
Located next door to Get Air is Goldfish Swim School! They are known for offering swim lessons for children 4 months to 12 years, but they also offer various Family Swims to the public in their heated, indoor pool. They also offer special events throughout the year to non-members and are a great place to throw a party! You will love a warm, tropical feel even when it’s negative temperatures outside.
Homemakers Furniture
Address: 10215 Douglas Avenue, Urbandale
Urbandale is home to one of the largest furniture stores in the Des Moines area. Whether you are looking for a new bed, piece of furniture, artwork, decor or anything else home related to Homemakers is the place to visit. Sometimes it is fun to walk through and make your wish list! One of our favorite reasons to visit is the yummy cookies and Starbucks coffee they serve in their very own cafe. In addition to selling furniture and home goods, they also put on free, family-friendly events throughout the year such as Trick or Treat at Homemakers and Meet Santa.
Hotel Renovo
Address: 11167 Hickman Road, Urbandale
Hotel Renovo is one of our family’s favorite hotels to stay at for a staycation in the Des Moines area. We have even celebrated a birthday there! They offer one of the biggest indoor pools, are beautifully decorated, and are a great place to stay and place during the Winter months. They regularly offer special deals and events such as New Year’s Eve Pool Party for the whole family.
Living History Farms
Address: 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
Living History Farms is a must-visit when you come to the Des Moines area. This open-air museum offers programming and educational opportunities for visitors to learn about Iowa’s agricultural history. Our family loves to visit this interactive outdoor museum at least once a year and explore the 1850 Pioneer Farm. Walk through the old town and learn about blacksmiths or the old country store. Throughout the year they offer kids camps, special events, and more. It is a great educational experience while having tons of fun!
Machine Shed Restaurant
Address: 11151 Hickman Road, Urbandale
Located just outside of Living History Farms is Machine Shed Restaurant. Fill your bellies before or after a day of adventuring or visit just because. They are known for serving homestyle favorites with a farm-to-table feel. If you are craving comfort food, this is the place to go! As you wait to be seated make sure you walk through their fun gift shop.
Metro Ice Sports Facility
Address: 5100 NW 72nd Street, Urbandale
Looking to ice skate? Or learn how to ice skate? Metro Ice Sports Facility offers Learn to Skate from Iowa Figure Skating Academy. Not interested in lessons? Check out one of their many public skate times. Grab the family and enjoy some fun out on the ice. They also offer hockey, parties, and more.
Miracle on 86th Street
Address: 3600 86th Street, Urbandale
When the holiday season rolls around, make a trip to Miracle on 86th Street located in Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park. Walk through the light displays and take some fun photos in the sled or wooden train It is a great spot for fun holiday pictures with a beautiful backdrop of twinkling holiday lights.
National Night Out
Address: Urbandale Police Department parking lot; 3740 86th Street, Urbandale
Every year on the first Tuesday in August the nation celebrates National Night Out. The event is put on to build relationships between the community and police and educate the community. There are many events hosted throughout the Des Moines area, but one of our family’s favorites is the one hosted by the Urbandale Police Department. The entire family is free for families with fun things to see and do such as K-9 demonstrations, a petting zoo, UnityPoint Life Flight, a fire safety house, and more.
Northview All-Inclusive Park
Address: 4871 78th Street #1068, Urbandale
Grab your friends and family to play at one of Urbandale’s newest renovated parks, Northview Park. This all-inclusive park is full of fun! The playground offers a great time for children of all ages and abilities to play and offers a rubber and squishy surface. In addition, my children’s favorite feature is the zip line which brings lots of laughter and screams.
Once Upon A Child
Address: 10465 Hickman Road, Urbandale
This one is for all the parents out there! While our children are growing and growing it can be super expensive to buy a new wardrobe every season. Once Upon A Child buys and sells used items for children including clothes, shoes, toys, baby furniture, and more. We love to stop here each season to make a little extra cash and purchase clothes for our kids as they grow.
Painting with a Twist
Address: 3753 86th Street, Urbandale
Paint, sip wine, and have fun with friends! Painting with a Twist offers in-studio events, private parties, and even kid-friendly events for family fun. Whether you are a budding artist or have no painting knowledge, this is a fun experience for everyone. Take a look at all of their upcoming events.
Pump it Up
Address: 4069 121st Street, Urbandale
Welcome to bounce house heaven at Pump it Up! A great place to jump and play indoors. Schedule a birthday party or sign-up for one of their many open jumps throughout the week. They also offer Parents’ Night Out, Glow Open Jump, Glow Wars Jump, and more. One of the best things to do on a cold winter or hot muggy day in the Des Moines area.
Twisted Bean
Address: 4504 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale
We are big fans of coffee shops and another Urbandale favorite is Twisted Bean. Not only do they serve delicious coffee beverages, but they serve food as well such as acai bowls and their quiche is pretty tasty! Another great spot to meet friends, have a business meeting or get some work done.
Urbandale 4th of July Celebration
Address: Lions Park; 72nd Street & Aurora Avenue
Every summer Urbandale hosts an epic 4th of July celebration! Families flock from all over the Des Moines area to partake in this several-day festival that includes live music, carnival rides, food vendors with hot dogs and other carnival food, fireworks, a parade, an entertainment, and beverage garden, a car show, and so much more.
Urbandale Community Skating Rink
Address: 3600 86th Street, Urbandale
When the cold weather sets in central Iowa head to the Urbandale Community Skating Rink in partnership with Iowa Wild! This public skating rink is located next to the Urbandale Public Library and offers free admission. There is no staff on duty and no skate rental. Bring your skates and have some fun!
Urbandale Public Library
Address: 3520 86th Street, Urbandale
The Urbandale Public Library is home to hundreds of books, videos, toys, puzzles, games, and more to check out. In addition, they offer weekly story times, fun events and activities for families, book clubs, and more. They also offer a fun children’s area for kids to play and use their imaginations.
Walker Johnston Park
Address: 9000 Douglas Ave, Urbandale
Walker Johnston Park is a huge park located in the town that offers so many fun outdoor activities including playgrounds, a pond with fishing, a story walk during the warmer months, an enclosed shelter where many events and activities take place, a skate park, pickleball courts, a huge slide, baseball/softball diamond, and so much more. Pack a picnic and spend an afternoon wandering and exploring everything this city park has to offer.
Not far from Urbandale, Iowa
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden – The botanical gardens are not from Urbandale and is the perfect place to explore the outdoors indoors in Des Moines. Located right along the Des Moines River.
- Des Moines Art Center – The Des Moines Art Center offers free admission. Enjoy a self-guided tour looking at all the art.
- Science Center of Iowa – Enjoy interactive exhibits at the Science Center located in downtown Des Moines.
