Des Moines sits in the middle of the state and gives easy reach to half of Iowa within an hour or two. The covered bridges of Madison County (40 minutes southwest) are the best-known move; Ames and Iowa State University make a college-town counterpart 30 minutes north; Iowa City and the university there are two hours east; and the Loess Hills on the western edge of the state make a three-hour run if you want big landscape.
Destinations
Day Trips from Des Moines
01
Madison County & Winterset
Iowa county and Winterset base known for covered bridges scattered through rolling farmland south of Des Moines.
02
Ames
Ames is a central Iowa university town, home to Iowa State University and a walkable downtown.
03
Iowa City
Iowa college town anchored by the Writers’ Workshop, independent bookshops, and a UNESCO literary identity.
04
Adel
Raccoon River county seat near Des Moines, anchored by a courthouse square and sweet corn festival