Overview
Cradled between the Des Moines and Iowa Rivers, Central Iowa is a region with surprising variation, culture, and opportunity oft overlooked by the outside world. The western and eastern edges of this region are defined by the Lœss Hills, which give way to the rolling hillsides and wine regions of Côtes du Des Moines and Côtes du Iowa. Between these great rivers are the gentle plains of the Skunk River valley, home to the research powerhouse of Ames. At the southern end of the region the pastoral landscape gives way to the sprawling metropolitan region of Des Moines.
2 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Central Iowa
Knoxville Raceway
Adventureland
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. (climate data from nearby Ankeny)
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 — 11 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FOD Fort Dodge Regional Airport, Fort Dodge — 69 mi away. Directions
Sample 3-day trip
- Day 1: Des Moines — Capitol Building, Salisbury House, Terrace Hill.
- Day 2: Grinnell — Grinnell College Museum of Art, Rock Creek State Park, The Grinnell Herald-Register.
- Day 3: Ames — Campanile, Farm House Museum, Reiman Gardens.
Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.
Places in Central Iowa
Des Moines
City / town · 131 listings
Grinnell
City / town · 32 listings
Ames
City / town · 26 listings
Newton
City / town · 13 listings
Ankeny
City / town · 8 listings
West Des Moines
City / town · 7 listings
Pella
City / town · 6 listings
Carlisle
City / town · 5 listings
Oskaloosa
City / town · 5 listings
Boone
City / town · 4 listings
Marshalltown
City / town · 3 listings
Winterset
City / town · 1 listings
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
This region includes the counties of Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Tama, Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Madison, Warren, and Marion.
Cities
- Ames - A prominent college town and research center, home to Iowa State University.
- Ankeny - A suburban community on the northern edge of the Des Moines metro region.
- Boone - Home of the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and the closest town to scenic Ledges State Park.
- Carlisle
- Des Moines - The state capital and Iowa's largest city.
- Grinnell - Home of esteemed liberal arts institution Grinnell College.
- Marshalltown
- Newton - Former headquarters of the Maytag Washing Machine Company.
- Pella - Home of Pella Windows, Vermeer Manufacturing, and the annual Pella Tulip Festival.
- West Des Moines
- Winterset
Get in
Do
- - located in Altoona
Drink
The Côtes du Des Moines area on the western edge of Central Iowa is well known for its wine growing. The bluffs of the Des Moines River provide good drainage and a unique microclimate that shields the Côtes du Des Moines from the worst cold and heat of Iowan seasons. Wines here will be somewhat unfamiliar to many travelers as they are made primarily with Vitis riparia grapes, also known as the Frost Grape. Developed by the University of Minnesota to withstand the local climate, popular varietals include Boule de Poils (similar to Sauvignon Blanc), Marechal Foch, and Frontenac.
Nearby
Osceola
City / town · 5 listings · 45 mi away
Albia
City / town · 5 listings · 60 mi away
Fort Dodge
City / town · 4 listings · 66 mi away
Audubon
City / town · 4 listings · 70 mi away
Centerville
City / town · 6 listings · 75 mi away
Ottumwa
City / town · 8 listings · 75 mi away
Atlantic
City / town · 6 listings · 77 mi away
My experience
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