Blank Park Zoo is Iowa's only accredited zoo and sits on 49 acres on the south side of Des Moines. It is small enough to cover in two hours but well organised: African veldt, Asian Trail, an Australia walkabout, and a children's farm-style petting area. Recent additions include a sea lion show pool and a giraffe-feeding deck that consistently draws the longest queue.
The zoo punches above its weight for breeding programs — particularly black rhinos and snow leopards — and the keeper talks throughout the day are genuinely worthwhile. Closed in winter (mid-November to early April). Allow extra time on summer evenings during Zoo Brew nights, when the grounds turn into a beer festival with the animals as the backdrop.