Crow’s Nest’s proximity to Des Moines makes it the perfect place to stay if you’re wanting to enjoy the city’s many activities and attractions. Browse through a list of popular points of interest in the Des Moines area, or stay at the campground and enjoy one of our family-friendly events!
Please see the events the area has to offer when planning your stay.
Area Event CalendarAdventureland is an amusement park accompanied by Adventure Bay Waterpark located in Altoona, Iowa and is home to over 100 rides including roller coasters, water slides, and children’s rides. Visitors can also enjoy magic shows, live music, and food vendors throughout the park during their open months. Learn more about Adventureland and purchase tickets by visiting their website!
The Blank Park Zoo is a 49-acre accredited zoological park just outside of Des Moines with the goal of inspiring an appreciation of the natural world. Visitors can experience an array of plant and animal species from all over the world while learning more about wildlife and conservation. Find out more about the Blank Park Zoo, including visitor information, at their website.
The Madison County Covered Bridge Festival takes place over the second weekend of October each year in Winterset, Iowa. This long-standing tradition has been occurring for over 50 years, and celebrates the history and heritage of Madison county with covered bridge tours, food vendors, live music, wine tasting, and more.
Located on the Eastern banks of the Des Moines River, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Center is a botanical garden with over 1,200 different plant species. Walk through the indoor and outdoor gardens to see unique flora from all over the world. Visit their website for hours, admission, and more info.
The Des Moines Civic Center is a performing arts venue located in downtown Des Moines. Used for concerts, Broadway shows, and other performance events, the Civic Center offers a wide variety of shows for all interests. View the Des Moines Performing Arts website to learn more about upcoming events at the Civic Center.
Attend the American Summer Opera Festival from May to July each year at the Des Moines Metro Opera in Indianola, Iowa. It is one of the state’s largest performing arts organizations with over 100 performances in the metro area. Visit their website for more information.
Attend the American Summer Opera Festival from May to July each year at the Des Moines Metro Opera in Indianola, Iowa. It is one of the state’s largest performing arts organizations with over 100 performances in the metro area. Visit their website for more information.
Visit our state’s capitol building to learn more about Iowa’s history and legislature in Iowa. You can also schedule a free tour of the building during the building’s open hours by calling 515-281-5591, or explore the panoramic views of downtown Des Moines from the West Capitol Terrace. Learn more here.
The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair takes place each August at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Throughout the fair, visitors can enjoy grandstand entertainment, amusement park thrills, livestock shows, and food on a stick. Plus, the Iowa State Fairgrounds hosts a variety of other events throughout the year . Learn more at their website.
Attend the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals held at the Knoxville Raceway each August. This four-day sprint car event is considered the most prestigious race of the year in sprint car racing, with a $1 million purse and an annual attendance of approximately 25 thousand fans.
Enjoy beaches, hiking trails, fishing, boating, and more at Lake Ahquabi in Warren county, Iowa. This 115-acre lake is a great place to enjoy a variety of water activities, and the surrounding 770-acre state park boasts multiple outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the year. Learn more about Ahquabi State park by visiting the Iowa DNR website.
Prairie Meadows is a nonprofit casino and racetrack with live and simulcast horse racing, sports wagering, musical acts, and full service dining. Enjoy your favorite table games, slots, and more inside the 85,000 square foot casino, or watch live horse racing on Prairie Meadows’ one-mile racetrack. Learn more at Prairie Meadows’ website.
The Science Center of Iowa features hands-on science exhibits, special-format theaters, and educational learning opportunities for all ages. Visit their permanent exhibits or check their website for temporary exhibits and upcoming events.
Summerset Winery is a family-owned and operated winery and wedding/events venue in Indianola, Iowa that produces award-winning Iowa wine from locally grown grapes. Visit their tasting room to try delicious wines and tour the grounds, or attend one of their many events throughout the year. Visit their website for hours, booking, and events information.
The Warren County Fair has been taking place each summer in Indianola for the past 150 years. Enjoy food, music, carnival rides, livestock shows, and more at this family-friendly event. Visit the official Warren County Fair website to view the schedule of events and learn more.
Catch sporting events, concerts, and more at this state of the art events center in downtown Des Moines. Local professional sports teams such as the Iowa Wild, Iowa Wolves, and the Iowa Barnstormers use this facility as their home arena. Visit their website for more information about upcoming events and to purchase tickets.