Overview
Ankeny is a suburb of Des Moines in Central Iowa.
6 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ankeny
Ankeny Community Theater
The ACT is a nonprofit, locally operated, volunteer organization that puts on various events throughout the year.
Celebration in Brass
Competition of drum and bugle corps from across the nation (the corps are part of the Summer Music Games sponsored by Drum Corps International (DCI)).
Mid-Iowa Band Championship
One of the most prestigious events of its kind. Has grown to include over 30 bands from as many as seven states. Each year, an audience of 5000-7000 people have been thrilled to see many of the Midwest's finest school ba…
Briarwood Golf Course
18-hole, par 72 golf course measuring over 7,000 yards with bent-grass fairways and true-rolling greens. They have a beautiful clubhouse and lovely patio that are both great spots for hanging out after the round. Golf Di…
Otter Creek Golf Course
18-hole, par 71 golf course measuring over 6,450 yards with Blue grass fairways and a slope rating of 115. Opened in 1981 it was designed by Donald Ripple & Paul Miller.
Ankeny Golf & Country Club
Private 9-hole course. There is a 10 acre pond on the 9th hole. The clubhouse overlooks the pond with an excellent view of the finishing green.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DSM Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines — 14 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FOD Fort Dodge Regional Airport, Fort Dodge — 65 mi away. Directions
Ankeny is 13 mi (21 km) north of downtown Des Moines. Take I-35 and until exit 90 or 92.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ankeny Community Theater, Mid-Iowa Band Championship
- Afternoon Otter Creek Golf Course
Day 2
- Morning Celebration in Brass, Briarwood Golf Course
- Afternoon Ankeny Golf & Country Club
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
About 13 miles (20 km) north of Des Moines, Ankeny was once dependent on agriculture but now is a bedroom community for Des Moines.
Get in
By car
Ankeny is 13 mi (21 km) north of downtown Des Moines. Take I-35 and until exit 90 or 92.
By plane
Go Ankeny Regional Airport
Get around
- Ankeny has a commuter bus service with two park-and-ride locations that connect to the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority.
Do
Do Celebration in Brass
Competition of drum and bugle corps from across the nation (the corps are part of the Summer Music Games sponsored by Drum Corps International (DCI)).
Do Mid-Iowa Band Championship
One of the most prestigious events of its kind. Has grown to include over 30 bands from as many as seven states. Each year, an audience of 5000-7000 people have been thrilled to see many of the Midwest's finest school bands.
Golf
Do Briarwood Golf Course
18-hole, par 72 golf course measuring over 7,000 yards with bent-grass fairways and true-rolling greens. They have a beautiful clubhouse and lovely patio that are both great spots for hanging out after the round. Golf Digest gives Briarwood a prestigious 4-star rating.
Buy
Shop Santa's North Pole Village
A craft sale event held every year on the 1st Saturday of November in the Ankeny High School, Parkview Elementary, and Northview Middle School. This is a big attraction with scores of vendors from all over the region.
Go next
Des Moines is 5-15 minutes away.
Nearby
Des Moines
City / town · 131 listings · 9 mi away
West Des Moines
City / town · 7 listings · 12 mi away
Carlisle
City / town · 5 listings · 17 mi away
Ames
City / town · 26 listings · 21 mi away
Boone
City / town · 4 listings · 27 mi away
Newton
City / town · 13 listings · 29 mi away
Winterset
City / town · 1 listings · 34 mi away
Marshalltown
City / town · 3 listings · 42 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.