3 DaysYoung Families6 Stops

Des Moines River Valley, Iowa

3-Day Itinerary for Young Families

“Riverbank Days: A Family Escape Through the Des Moines Valley”

Overview Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Tips Skip to day-by-day ↓

Here the river moves slow and wide beneath cottonwoods, and the valley unfolds in soft, kid-sized chapters—a conservatory thick with orchid-scented air, sandstone gorges just steep enough to feel like an adventure, and small-town cafés where the pancakes arrive fast and the servers don't mind sticky fingers. This is a trip built for little legs and long light, where naptime is sacred and nobody's rushing anywhere.

At a Glance

Climate & Weather

Summer days run warm and humid, 72–73°F with a real chance of afternoon thunderstorms rolling in fast—pack light layers, a rain shell, sun hats for the kids, and insect repellent for anything riverside or wooded.

Getting Around

A car is essential—the valley spreads across Boone County north of Des Moines, and clusters are 30–40 minutes apart by road; strollers work well within each cluster's paved paths.

Budget

Budget roughly $120–$160/day for a family of four, covering casual dining, garden admission, and small treats like ice cream or a snack stop.

Safety

Very low-risk for families; the main things to watch are ticks and poison ivy on wooded trails, slick sandstone at Ledges after rain, and rising creek water during storms—keep little ones close to trail center and off the gorge edges.

Connectivity

Cell service is reliable in Des Moines and Boone town centers but can thin out to one or two bars inside Ledges State Park's gorge—download offline maps before heading into the park.

Local Tips

Arrive at outdoor attractions by 8–9am in summer to beat both heat and crowds; plan indoor or shaded activities for the 2–3pm nap window; Iowans eat dinner early, so aim for a 5:30pm table to avoid the dinner rush.

Highlights

Twelve acres of humid, green conservatory air at the Des Moines Botanical Garden
Sandstone gorge walls rising 100 feet above Pea's Creek in Ledges State Park
Standing on the bridge where a 15-year-old girl became a legend in an 1881 storm
Stroller-friendly paths and flat riverside walkways all three days
Farm-to-table comfort food and ice cream stops built around nap schedules
Early-morning starts that dodge both the heat and the weekend crowds

Day-by-Day Plan

Arrival & gentle orientation

Day 1: Green Air and Riverbanks: Settling Into the Valley

A soft-landing day in downtown Des Moines with one easy garden stop and riverside wandering, under 1 mile of walking total.

Wear

Breathable cotton layers, sun hats, comfortable sandals or sneakers for both adults and kids, and a light rain jacket tucked in the stroller basket.

Budget

$90–$120 for the family, including garden admission and two casual meals

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Des Moines Botanical Garden · morning · 120 min · Downtown Des Moines & River Corridor

The conservatory hits you first with its wall of warm, wet air—thick with the smell of orchids and turned earth, condensation beading on glass overhead. Kids gravitate to the layered foliage and koi-still ponds, and the flat paths mean the stroller glides right through without a single bump. Arrive by 9am and you'll have the tropical dome nearly to yourselves before the weekend families roll in around 10:30.

Late morning light filters gold through the conservatory glass—best shots of the orchids come before 10am when the crowds are thin.

Fully wheelchair and stroller accessible with flat paths and frequent benches throughout.

5 min walk — A short stroll from the conservatory doors out to the riverside path, stroller wheels crunching on gravel.

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Des Moines Botanical Garden · midday · 30 min · Downtown Des Moines & River Corridor

Wind down the visit along the outdoor native plant borders, where the Des Moines River murmurs somewhere beyond the trees. It's a good low-key stretch for kids to burn a little energy before lunch and the drive back toward the hotel for nap time.

The native plant borders catch soft light in late morning, with the river as a quiet backdrop.

Flat gravel and paved paths throughout, benches every few hundred feet.

Breakfast

Railroad Bill's Dining Car $$

Breakfast · Near Des Moines Botanical Garden

Classic diner-style breakfast in a train-car setting that delights kids before a morning of garden wandering.

Lunch

Zombie Burger + Bird $$

Burger · Near Des Moines Botanical Garden

Quick-service burgers and fries with a playful vibe and easy kid-friendly options.

Optional detour: Reiman Gardens — Could replace the afternoon riverside wind-down after Des Moines Botanical Garden

A second, larger garden with woodland creek crossings and prairie color if the family has extra energy. Skip if: Two garden visits in one day risks overlap fatigue for young kids—better saved for a future trip or swapped in if Botanical Garden is closed.

If it rains: The Botanical Garden's conservatory is fully indoors and rain-proof—simply extend time there and skip the outdoor riverside portion.

The day starts easy, with the Botanical Garden's warm conservatory air wrapping around you like a greenhouse hug. Little ones wander wide-eyed past orchids and koi ponds while the flat paths mean zero stroller wrangling, and the crowds haven't arrived yet if you're through the doors by 9am.

After a relaxed riverside stretch and lunch, the pace intentionally drops—this is a settling-in day, not an ambitious one. Head back to the hotel for the 2–3pm nap window, letting the kids recharge from the morning's new sights and smells.

Keep dinner simple and early, Iowa-style—something familiar and quick before winding down. Tomorrow's the bigger adventure day in the valley, so tonight is about rest, not more sightseeing.

Nature immersion

Day 2: Into the Gorge: Sandstone Walls and Creek Song

A full but relaxed day exploring Ledges State Park's gentle trail sections, roughly 1.5 miles of walking with a midday rest built in.

Wear

Sturdy closed-toe shoes for uneven trail sections, insect repellent, sun hats, and a light rain layer given summer's afternoon storm chances.

Budget

$70–$100 for the family, including snacks and lunch

35 min drive — A quiet country drive north from Des Moines, cornfields giving way to wooded bluffs as you near Boone.

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Ledges State Park · morning · 120 min · Ledges Valley & Boone Area

The gorge arrives almost without warning—100-foot sandstone walls rising up cool and damp, with Pea's Creek echoing off the rock below. Kids will love the scale of it, the way the trail hugs the canyon floor and lets them spot concretions embedded in the cliff face. Arrive by 8:30am for cool morning air and a near-empty trail; by mid-morning on a summer weekend, the lower gorge fills with families and the parking lot tightens.

The gorge rim overlook is stunning at sunset, but for a family morning visit, the canyon floor trail backlit by soft early light is the better shot.

Trails are not stroller-friendly in the gorge itself—plan to carry younger children or use a hiking carrier; stick to the lower, flatter sections near the trailhead.

10 min walk — An easy walk back out along the same trail, retracing steps at a much slower, kid-led pace.

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

Ledges State Park · midday · 45 min · Ledges Valley & Boone Area

Ease out of the gorge toward a shaded picnic spot near the trailhead, letting kids splash their hands in the creek shallows if the water's calm. This is a good stretch to slow the pace deliberately before the drive back for lunch and nap time.

Midday sun filters through the oak canopy here—look for dappled light patterns on the creek surface.

The picnic area near the trailhead is flatter and more accessible than the gorge trail itself.

Lunch

South Union Bread Cafe $

Cafe/Bakery · Near Reiman Gardens, a reasonable stop en route back toward Boone/Des Moines

Casual bakery-café fare, easy for a post-hike lunch with simple sandwiches and pastries kids will actually eat.

Optional detour: Kate Shelley High Bridge Historical Site — After the Ledges State Park morning visit and before returning to the hotel for nap time

A quiet, flat, stroller-accessible historic site with a dramatic bridge view and a great story to tell kids about a brave 15-year-old. Skip if: If the morning at Ledges runs long or kids are tired, this can wait for Day 3's afternoon slot instead—skipping avoids overloading the nap window.

If it rains: If storms roll in, pivot to the Kate Shelley High Bridge Historical Site overlook in light rain (bring umbrellas), or wait it out and reschedule the gorge trail for late afternoon once storms clear—avoid the gorge entirely during heavy rain as water levels rise fast.

Morning belongs to the gorge—cool, damp air, towering sandstone, and the steady murmur of Pea's Creek below. Getting there early means the trail is quiet and the light is gentle, ideal for wide-eyed kids taking in a landscape scaled bigger than anything from home.

After a slow exit from the canyon and a relaxed lunch, the afternoon deliberately softens—head back toward the hotel for the 2–3pm nap window, letting the morning's outdoor stimulation settle before any further activity.

Keep the evening low-key with an early dinner and maybe a short walk near the hotel; the valley's rhythm rewards an early bedtime after a day full of fresh air and sandstone wonder.

History & farewell wander

Day 3: River Stories and Garden Goodbyes

A gentle final day mixing a flat historic riverside site with a return to garden calm, keeping walking under 1 mile.

Wear

Comfortable walking shoes, layers for shifting summer weather, and sun protection for open riverside stretches.

Budget

$80–$110 for the family, including lunch, snacks, and a treat stop

30 min drive — A scenic country drive back toward Boone, passing farmland waking up in the morning light.

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

Kate Shelley High Bridge Historical Site · morning · 45 min · Ledges Valley & Boone Area

The bridge stands quiet and weathered, steel creaking faintly in the breeze above the Des Moines River. It's an easy, flat visit—perfect for a family morning—and the story of 15-year-old Kate Shelley's stormy 1881 rescue mission gives kids something dramatic to imagine as they look out over the water. Arrive early and the overlook is peaceful, just birdsong and river sound.

The eastern overlook faces the river valley beautifully at sunrise, but any morning light works well for family photos with the bridge span behind you.

Fully flat and wheelchair/stroller accessible, though benches are sparse—bring a portable seat if you plan to linger.

40 min drive — A longer drive back south toward Des Moines—consider a snack break in the car since it edges past the 30-minute mark.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Reiman Gardens · midday · 90 min · Downtown Des Moines & River Corridor

A softer, sunnier garden to close the trip—dappled light through mature oaks, the earthy smell of mulch, and a woodland creek crossing that kids will want to cross back and forth a dozen times. It's a gentle, low-energy bookend to the valley's wilder middle day, with plenty of shaded benches for parents to rest while little ones explore.

The main perennial bed catches gorgeous light near midday in summer, especially with kids weaving through the pathways.

Fully flat, wheelchair and stroller accessible with frequent benches.

Lunch

Centro $$

Italian · Near Reiman Gardens

Relaxed Italian spot near Reiman Gardens with familiar pasta dishes that satisfy picky young eaters.

Dinner

Black Cat Ice Cream $

Ice Cream · Near Reiman Gardens

A sweet, easy send-off treat with outdoor seating where kids can wiggle after the car ride, before an early final dinner or as dessert.

Optional detour: 801 Chophouse — After Reiman Gardens as an alternative dinner option if flights or departure allow a later meal

A step-up dinner option for parents wanting one nicer meal before departure, with a relaxed enough atmosphere for families. Skip if: Skip if departure timing is tight or kids are worn out—the quick ice cream stop is the easier, lower-stress choice for a final evening.

If it rains: Reiman Gardens' covered pavilion near the visitor center offers shelter in light rain, and woodland trails stay mostly passable—for heavier storms, consider extending time at the Kate Shelley site's interpretive shelter or heading to indoor dining early.

The morning is quiet and reflective—standing on the old bridge with the river running steady below, telling kids the story of the storm and the brave girl who crossed it. It's a gentle, flat visit that eases everyone into the day without any strain.

The drive back toward Des Moines transitions the mood from history to horticulture, landing at Reiman Gardens for a soft, shaded wander among perennial beds and a woodland creek that kids won't want to leave. It's the valley's calmest goodbye.

Close the trip with something sweet and simple—ice cream with outdoor seating where the kids can move freely one last time—before the early Iowa-style dinner hour and the drive to wherever comes next.

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Good to Know

Restaurant details (hours, menus, availability) change frequently. Check current hours before visiting, especially in seasonal destinations.

Dietary compatibility tags are general guidance. If you have severe allergies, confirm directly with the restaurant.

Travel tips are general guidance, not professional safety advice. Check government advisories for latest information.

All prices are approximate and may vary seasonally.

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