Discover Urbandale through a range of interests: Living History Farms takes you through historical periods, while public art, trails and parks offer other highlights. For planning, this gives you a choice between a visit focused on history and options centered on sculptures or green spaces.
Culture Through History and Art
Living History Farms is an open-air museum in Urbandale, Iowa, covering 500 acres. Visitors move through historical periods spanning 300 years at their own pace. This makes it possible to plan a museum visit as either an expansive history experience or one tailored to personal interest in specific periods. On-site staff offer seasonal activities and demonstrations. If these offerings are a deciding factor for you, it’s worth checking which time of year is best for your visit.
You can reach Living History Farms via Interstate 35/80 at Exit 125 (Hickman); the museum is also served by DART Express Route 92. For travelers interested in culture, the Art Park Exhibition offers a different focus: it features sculptures by four artists selected each year. This gives you a choice between historical periods and a sculpture exhibition as distinct cultural highlights.
Trails, Parks and Gardens
Urbandale’s park system includes 1,000 acres of parkland, and its trail network covers more than 54 miles. If you’d rather plan around a single mapped route than the entire trail network, Walker Johnston Park has a 5-kilometer route. It starts at the Walker Johnston Park Shelter. The mapped distance and named starting point provide a specific reference for your plans.
The parks and gardens also have different features. Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park and Gardens includes a variety of trees, flowers and shrubs. Jackaline Baldwin Dunlap Park and Arboretum is an arboretum with trails. If you’re especially interested in plant variety during your visit, Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park and Gardens is a good option; for a combination of an arboretum and trails, consider Jackaline Baldwin Dunlap Park and Arboretum.
Playgrounds and Summer Activities
The All-Inclusive Playground at Northview Park is designed for children of all ages and abilities, including children with disabilities. It has a completely level surface designed to avoid barriers for wheelchair users and people with visual impairments. This identifies both the playground’s intended users and an important design feature.
The Miracle League of Urbandale is located at the Northview Park Little League Complex. The Mobile Recreation program brings free games, activities, crafts and sports equipment to various parks in the summer. If this seasonal offering is important to your plans, check the program dates and availability for your travel period.
Explore more destinations: Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Clive, Johnston, Grimes.
For the broader travel overview: Polk.
