Skip to Content

25 Best and Fun Things To Do In Urbandale, Iowa


TouristWire Editors

There are numerous incentives to make a trip to this delightful city located in the center of the Des Moines metro region.

First, there are tons of things to keep you occupied here, whether it’s shopping at one of the many local boutiques or taking a stroll through one of the city’s parks, there’s something for everyone!

There are also plenty of places to eat in Urbandale. From casual burger joints and family-friendly pizza parlors to upscale restaurants and worldly fusion spots, there’s something to satisfy even the most discerning of palates.

In addition, visitors will enjoy its small-town charm along with access to nearby attractions such as the Clive Aquatic Center and Living History Farms.

And, if you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of outdoor activities in the area to keep you busy, including biking along the Clive Greenbelt Trail and boating at Saylorville Lake.

If this sounds like the kind of place you’d like to spend your next break, keep reading for a comprehensive list of everything else Urbandale has to offer

The 25 Most Popular Things To Do In Urbandale, Iowa

25. Rio Valley Park

4.0 ★★★★☆ (3 reviews)

Af1qipnnxx7f3peeyxi6zzw0ltxsd5ff7fapwghnp81u=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Jason Richards, Google Maps

Location: Clive IA

24. Paragon Prairie Tower

4.6 ★★★★★ (13 reviews)

Af1qipots50bp0cvt13uceh3rrpftnbgk7nxmgjpr0pz=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: M Wolfe, Google Maps

Location: Paragon Prairie Tower 12150 Meredith Dr Urbandale IA

Web Address:   https://dsmpublicartfoundation.org/public-artwork/paragon-prairie/

23. Linnan Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (17 reviews)

Af1qippuia7k94l7gaxn3j1ahdjjev0syrthfvwe3ttg=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Trevor, Google Maps

Location: 8500 Alice Ave Clive IA

Web Address:   https://cityofclive.com/parkandrecreation/parks/linnan_park.php

22. Jeff Harm Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (38 reviews)

Af1qipod72hskxmc2jsp-wpsgu4c5fzt97uvcgno9h55=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Jason Brand, Google Maps

Location: Urbandale IA

Tel:  515 278 3963

Web Address:   https://urbandale.org/facilities/facility/details/jeff-harm-park-20

21. Cottonwood Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ (55 reviews)

Af1qipoavvwa-dnqwihd84hjxhawmphpmjticifztkyu=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: P W, Google Maps

Location: 7400 NW 37th Street Ankeny IA

Tel:  515 276 4656

Web Address:   http://recreation.gov/camping/cottonwood-recreation-area/r/campgroundDetails.do

20. Waukee Triumph Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (55 reviews)

Af1qipot s7pgifxrdjjfurai8mycszapnhbt2fugfg=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Iowa Kid Adventures, Google Maps

Location: 700 Douglas Pkwy Waukee IA

Tel:  515 978 0007

Web Address:   http://waukeetriumphpark.com/

19. Walnut Ridge Recreation Area

4.8 ★★★★★ (57 reviews)

Af1qipnpjwbyiftag2mfhy9ngvtiguenvg1lnznpc-xw=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: chuck barnes, Google Maps

Location: Johnston IA

Tel:  877 444 6777

Web Address:   https://recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234696

18. Country Club Glen Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (65 reviews)

Location: 16335 Sheridan Ave Clive IA

Web Address:   https://cityofclive.com/parkandrecreation/parks/country_club_glen_park.php

17. Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park and Garden

4.6 ★★★★★ (67 reviews)

Af1qipmnkpqicb1mgmoelvwgr6oeb1ld8ss3bvch 8zk=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park and Garden, Google Maps

Location: 3600 86th Street Urbandale IA

Tel:  515 278 3963

Web Address:   https://urbandale.org/186/Charles-Gabus-Memorial-Tree-Park-Garden

16. Sycamore Trails

4.8 ★★★★★ (73 reviews)

Location: 4640 NW 66th Ave Johnston IA

Tel:  515 323 5300

15. Walnut Creek Regional Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (75 reviews)

Af1qipo5h 9r0b9jnque2tscdbmq9zb7bda3sfxgg-e=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Iowa Kid Adventures, Google Maps

Location: and 50322 153rd Street & Horton Ave Urbandale IA

Tel:  515 278 3963

Web Address:   http://urbandale.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Walut-Creek-Regional-Park-45

14. Wildwood Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (87 reviews)

Af1qipnhfs09oodoeias4p w 65px7xfs8a8skda78ed=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Jason Brand, Google Maps

Location: 15166 Wildwood Dr Clive IA

Tel:  515 223 6220

Web Address:   https://cityofclive.com/parkandrecreation/project_detail_T50_R44.php

13. Northview Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (94 reviews)

Location: 4871 78th Street #1068 Urbandale IA

Tel:  515 278 3963

Web Address:   http://urbandale.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Northview-Park-32

12. Lakeview Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (129 reviews)

Af1qippadkk-g2syeylgbygcdiybcnr0-katuv90-egg=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Iowa Reviewers, Google Maps

Location: 4212 Park Hill Cir Urbandale IA

Tel:  515 278 3963

Web Address:   http://urbandale.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Lakeview-Park-21

11. Terra Lake

4.6 ★★★★★ (259 reviews)

Af1qipomhv4 tc fbgvmxyximmd6ebvzatpruqvpqqhj=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Gail Erickson, Google Maps

Location: 6300 Pioneer Pkwy Johnston IA

Tel:  515 727 8091

Web Address:   http://cityofjohnston.com/

10. Des Moines Buccaneers

4.6 ★★★★★ (314 reviews)

Af1qipooopkal0e6uyl wju jcjmawufk21lmbwoewcr=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Eric Clouse, Google Maps

Location: 7201 Hickman Road Urbandale IA

Tel:  515 278 2827

Web Address:   http://bucshockey.com/

9. Lions Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (331 reviews)

Location: Prairie Ave Urbandale IA

Tel:  515 278 3963

Web Address:   http://urbandale.org/

8. Colby Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (338 reviews)

Location: 6900 School Street Windsor Heights IA

Tel:  855 637 9442

Web Address:   https://windsorheights.org/350/Parks-Rentals

Our Top picks

7. Clive Greenbelt Trail

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

Af1qiponhqaxibgrntvkyzr5pmhezo8nx8fvdp7xvo13=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: thorin richardson, Google Maps

6. Terra Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (148 reviews)

Af1qipoxs3pjiasx2nfpphrsoow3i8jsfqxibdzl3kyn=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: A C, Google Maps

Location: 6400 Pioneer Pkwy Johnston IA

Tel:  515 727 8091

Web Address:   http://cityofjohnston.com/

5. Margo Frankel Woods State Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (157 reviews)

Af1qipm7m3bryswkyuqg1bhobkizhw3sglvoqbtghvwu=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Darrin Ochsner, Google Maps

Location: Des Moines IA

4. Saylorville Lake

4.7 ★★★★★ (305 reviews)

3. Clive Aquatic Center

4.4 ★★★★☆ (323 reviews)

Af1qipo9c6wyyqbbm8czsczxxo67-nafjq5unok9bjcf=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: David Thorpe, Google Maps

Location: 1801 NW 114th Street Clive IA

Tel:  515 440 0599

Web Address:   https://cityofclive.com/parkandrecreation/aquatic_center/index.php

2. Walker Johnston Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (512 reviews)

49437122367 7680ecfb8a h

Credit: Jordan Cook, License, Flickr

Location: 9000 Douglas Ave Urbandale IA

Tel:  515 278 3963

Web Address:   http://urbandale.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Walker-Johnston-Park-39

1. Living History Farms

4.6 ★★★★★ (845 reviews)

800px-living history farms 69

Credit: Dennis Bratland, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 11121 Hickman Road Urbandale IA

Tel:  515 278 5286

Web Address:   https://lhf.org/

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Urbandale, Iowa! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

Join the TouristWire community

At TouristWire, our team works tirelessly to bring you the most comprehensive itineraries and reviews to help you plan your next trip. Don’t miss out, join our mailing list and our reviews delivered directly to your mailbox!

.