can anyone tell me about Altoona Iowa or Adventureland park??

**nodmicks** · 06-02-2010, 05:04 PM

Dh and I are looking into a weekend away while our kids are gone later this summer. Dh was looking at places not to far away or to expensive. Does anyone have any info on these places or any great ideas for what is in the area???

**McD** · 06-02-2010, 05:32 PM

I can i can i can! I drive by this all the time! Wooohoo!!!

But i am heading home--let me get back to you!

**nodmicks** · 06-02-2010, 05:58 PM

Great!! I can't wait

**imagine** · 06-02-2010, 06:20 PM

The Mc Donald's near the park is neat.

It has a play space and a piano that plays (player piano) and fish tanks to look at.

**Molemommy** · 06-02-2010, 07:32 PM

where is your location?

**McD** · 06-02-2010, 09:34 PM

Okay, I seriously live 20 minutes away from Adventureland and my in-laws are like 5 minutes away. My parents always took us there growing up too--I grew up four hours away in Illinois, so it was always a fun time away.

If you are needing/wanting to stay near the park, the Adventureland Inn is fairly nice and has a pretty cool indoor pool. Here is a link Adventureland Resort (Des Moines, IA) : Home There is also a Motel 6, but it's right off the interstate and there's gonna be noise and lots of lights. Lots of big rigs too. About a block or so away (straight shot down the road), there is a Settle Inn. Settle Inn * Settle Inn & Suites * Settle Inn Hotel * Settle Inn Theme Rooms * Settle Inn Resort They have a complimentary breakfast--a make your own hot waffle bar. If kids are with you, they apparently stay free. They offer government discounts, as well as senior discounts, if any of those apply.

Adventureland itself is pretty fun. They have quite a variety of rides--water rides, roller coasters, Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, etc. Included in the price of your ticket is admission to the attached water park--Kokomo Kove. Adventureland Amusement Park (Des Moines, IA) : Home I'm not sure if they still do, but they used to offer discounted tickets at various places here in the metro--including our park and rec department. If you'd like I can check and see if that is still available and we can work out an arrangement to where I get you hooked up with discounted tickets.

There are several close eateries--your typical chains: McD's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, a KFC/Taco Bell combo, a Subway. Down the road (straight shot) is the Big Steer.
The Big Steer Restaurant and Lounge - Des Moines Metro - Altoona, IA 50009 | Metromix Des Moines There is a huge cow in front. No joke. They have GREAT food.

There are quite a few things to do, especially if you don't mind an extra 10-15 minutes in the car. First on that list would be---VISITING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean honestly, that would be the whole highlight of your trip.

If you are into antiques, right up the interstate is the Brass Armadillo. It's an antique mall the size of a regular Wal-Mart or Target. They give you a map when you walk in. The aisles are named after streets. If you are into motorcycles, there is a huge Harley Shop that looks like a big barn pretty close to the 'dillo.

In Altoona, very close to Adventureland, there is a new Bass Pro Shop. It's huge, very fun, and has a restaraunt and bowling alley in it. There is also Prairie Meadows--it's a casino. It has racetracks, concerts, etc. Be warned though, casinos are exempt from the smoking ban in Iowa.

In downtown Des Moines, which is a very quick drive, there is a plethora of things to do. Places to eat, bars/clubs if that is your thing, cultural activities. Here is a great site for downtown. Downtown Des Moines There's an art center, a sculpture park, a science center, botanical center, etc. etc. If you like baseball, the I-Cubs play here as well. The Official Site of Minor League Baseball | Iowa Cubs Homepage

Off the top of my head, that's what I can come up with. Depending on when you come up, you might want to reserve hotels, etc. already. Things get really crazy around state fair time.

**nodmicks** · 06-03-2010, 07:59 AM

Thanks Imagine!

MoleMommy I am in WI so like 5 hrs away.

MrsMcD you are a wealth of info!!!!! LOL We used to have a big steer 30 miles away (long gone now) with the huge cow! Kids loved it!

I would love to meet a villager! I've never had the opportunity

I that thought of Chicago because it is about the same distance but Dh is adamant he doesn't want to go back there. We are not sure yet when the kids are flying out as my sibling is still bargain ticket hunting and doing his schedule so he is not overseas. I can't wait until I have a date! I'm afraid it may end up a few days notice before they go.

Thank you so much for all the links! I'll read through them when I get done working today. It sounds like there is lots of neat stuff! Discount tickets would be great if we head down there and they are available. I should see if AAA does any also.

I checked in to WI Dells. We had such a blast in OCT there with family on both sides and it ended up very inexpensive. Holy yipes are the summer prices high!

Thanks again so much for all the info! If we end up going I'm sure I'll question you to bits before hand. Thanks again!

**LadybugMom** · 06-29-2010, 05:20 PM

Also worth looking into is Living History Farms. It is on the opposite side of Des Moines so 30 minutes away. I absolutely love this place. You are taking a step back in time. It is a living full scale museum with people dressed to the time period. It is 5 minutes from our house so we stop there whenever we want to get away from suburban life for a few hours.

Madison County bridges are close by and the town of Winterset has a nice park with a hedge maze. The movie was filmed in Madison County.

In early August, we have the hot air balloon festival in the Indianola area (south of Des Moines). Also, the Iowa State Fair... "our state fair is the best state fair" or however the song goes.

**Jeanna** · 06-29-2010, 11:56 PM

I am heading for Des Moines in about 3 weeks. Of course I have been there many times in my life since my mother is from there. However I haven't been there in about the last 10 years or so. I think my sister is taking the kids (teenagers) to adventure land while we are there. I really can't do the walking anymore or ride many of the rides because of my fibro. I do hope to hit some antique shops while I am there. Oh and the family reunion. With over 100 first cousins it can be real interesting. Especially since we are getting older and now some of the kids have kids of their own. I like Des Moines but I am always ready to come back to the mountains after about a week.