This guide covers the Best Things to do in West Des Moines during 2022.
The best things to do in West Des Moines, Iowa include Valley Junction, Smash Park, Jordan Creek Town Center, Racoon River Park, and several other options found in this list.
After researching the Best Free Things to do in Des Moines, we also wanted to explore one of its most popular suburbs.
West Des Moines, Iowa is a suburb of Des Moines with a population exceeding 65,000 residents.
Some other popular suburbs within the area include Clive, Urbandale, Waukee, Johnston, Norwalk, Windsor Heights, and more.
One of the best parts about the Des Moines metro, including West Des Moines, is its low cost of living (LCOL). In a previous article, we analyzed the differences in the cost of living between cities.
Iowa has become one of the Cheapest States to Live in during 2022, and the city of West Des Moines is a great place to live!
Whether you are new to the area, on a budget, or simply curious as to what West Des Moines and the surrounding Des Moines suburbs have to offer, there is something for everyone to do for fun in the area.
Although this is not an exhaustive list, these are places that are actively breaking the stereotype of Iowa being a ‘Flyover state.’
Below you will find a list of the 10 best things to do in West Des Moines, Iowa for 2022.
Best Things To Do in West Des Moines, Iowa
I recommend bookmarking this page to keep you updated on the best things to do in West Des Moines for 2022. This page is updated Monthly for your reference.
The following list was last updated on Sun, Feb, 26, 2023
This is similar to our list of the Best Pizza in Iowa!
This list of things to do in West Des Moines, Iowa is not ranked in any particular order.
1. Jordan Creek Town Center
When people in Iowa think of West Des Moines, the Jordan Creek Town Center is likely one of the top attractions that come to mind.
This shopping mall is the largest in the state of Iowa and currently holds over 150 stores. across various industries.
Their food court is also home to Chick-Fil-A, Zombie Burger, The Cheesecake Factory, Charleys, Starbucks, and more.
2. Smash Park
Smash Park is an impressive venue that has become one of the top attractions in West Des Moines since opening its doors in 2018.
This unique bar features games such as pickleball, shuffleboard, bags, foosball, connect four, arcade games, and more.
The company’s slogan is “find your happy place”, and at Smash Park you will be sure to have a great time with friends or family!
3. Valley Junction
The Historic Valley Junction makes our list of the best things to do in West Des Moines for several reasons.
Whether it’s the weekly farmer’s markets with live music, historic buildings, or unique small businesses, Valley Junction is a great spot to check out!
Some of the notable shops within the Valley Junction district include the Heart of Iowa Market Place, Hinge, Atomic Garage, Cindy’s Boutique, Wines of Iowa, and more.
4. Funny Bone Comedy Club
If you are a fan of stand-up comedy, you will want to give the Funny Bone Comedy Club a visit!
Some of their upcoming comedians on the 2021 schedule include Donnie Baker, Shuler King, Ali Siddiq, Gary Owen, Heather Land, William Lee Martin, and more.
5. Racoon River Park
Racoon River Park is an awesome city park, covering more than 630 acres of land, including a 3.2 mile trail around the lake.
If you enjoy biking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, or enjoying a picnic in the park, then Racoon River Park is worth visiting!
Refer to the link below for a complete map of the park.
6. West Glen Town Center
The West Glen Town Center is home to some of the most well-known restaurants, bars, and shopping areas in West Des Moines.
Notable businesses in the West Glen district include Wellman’s Pub, Tonic, BeerStyles, Shotgun Betty’s, The Operating Room, Hurts Donut, Smoothie King, and more.
7. Barn Town Brewing
Although they are technically in Waukee, we had to include Barn Town Brewing on our list of attractions. They are located right on the border of West Des Moines and Waukee.
This new brewery has an awesome menu full of delicious beer, appetizers, burgers, desserts, and much more.
Barn Town Brewing has also made our list of the best breweries Iowa has to offer!
8. Des Moines Menace Soccer
The Des Moines Menace is a semi-professional soccer team playing in the USL League Two organization. They were founded in 1994 and are owned by the Krause Group.
If you are a soccer fan check out one of their home games located in Valley Stadium off of Mills Civic Pkwy in West Des Moines.
9. Ironside Axe Club
Axe throwing is becoming a popular form of entertainment across the country. If you are interested in trying this activity, check out the Ironside Axe Club!
Ironside Axe Club is the first destination for competitive axe throwing in Central Iowa. In addition to West Des Moines, they have other locations in Oskaloosa, Pella, Rochester, and Eau Claire.
10. Brown’s Woods
Brown’s Woods is Iowa’s largest forest preserve, covering more than 480 acres of land, including four miles of trails.
This is another excellent hiking spot and is an attraction in the wintertime for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
View the link below for a complete map of the area.
More Options
Although these activities didn’t make our top ten list, some other fun things to do in West Des Moines include the following:
- The Hall DSM & Foundry
- Holiday Park
- Valley View Aquatic Center
- Global Brew Tap House (Waukee)
- Golf Courses (private & public)
- Fox Brewing
- Val Air Ballroom
- Jordan House
Overall, those are some of the best things to do in West Des Moines, Iowa! We plan on continuing to update this guide.
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Best Things to do in West Des Moines FAQ
What are the Best Things to do in West Des Moines?
The best things to do in West Des Moines include Valley Junction, Smash Park, Jordan Creek Town Center, Racoon River Park, and other activities found in this guide.
Is West Des Moines a Cheap City?
West Des Moines, Iowa is a cheap city when comparing the cost of living index to other cities across the United States.
What is the Population of West Des Moines?
The population of West Des Moines, Iowa exceeds 65,000 residents.
Is West Des Moines Worth Visiting?
If you are into parks, shopping, nightlife, or trails, then West Des Moines is definitely worth visiting!
