After several months of businesses being closed and families staying home, many businesses in Des Moines are now open. While summer activities still look different due to COVID-19, there are still plenty of fun things for your family to do in Des Moines this summer.
If you are ready to venture out with your family be sure to check with each business or location for revised hours and requirements. We have checked that these details are accurate at the time of posting, but we still recommend that you check with any business before planning a visit.
What’s Open in Des Moines
Adventureland Resort
The park is open at 50 percent capacity. Adventure Bay Water Park remains closed. Find more information here.
Blank Park Zoo
Open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., daily. Advanced timed-tickets or reservations are required for all guests.
Members are free, but must reserve a timed-ticket in advance. Not all experiences are open. All guests age two and older are encouraged to wear a mask. All Zoo staff will be required to wear masks. Find out more here.
Living History Farms
Open June 1 Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Not open on Sundays this season. Admission is limited to 70 visitors per hour. All visitors, including members, must reserve a timed ticket. Visitors will be assigned a touring route to ensure one-way traffic flow and limit the number of visitors to each site at one time. Staff members and volunteers will be wearing masks. Masks are encouraged for all visitors and will be available for purchase. More information can be found here.
Reiman Gardens
Reopening June 8 to the general public. Check the website for updated hours and details.
Science Center of Iowa
Members are invited to a members-only preview weekend on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28. This preview will introduce a modified SCI experience designed to limit crowds and reduce the spread of germs. Current members will receive expiration date extensions.
Beginning July 4, SCI will be open on Saturdays and Sundays for attendance by members and the general public. All visitors must reserve ticket times in advance, including members. They are limiting access to some of the most high-touch experiences. Not all exhibits will be available. On June 29, SCI will begin opening for school and group visits during the week.
SCI Summer Camps will operate virtually for the first two weeks (June 8-12 and June 15-19). The plan is to move to onsite operations starting June 22. To limit camp sizes, capacities have been reduced and remaining spaces are limited.
Pump It Up
Open June 1. Schedule jump times online.
Urban Air
Open June 27.
Des Moines Public Library
Curbside pickup is available at all locations. Reserve items online then pick up at the designated location.
West Des Moines Public Library
Curbside pick up is available.
Ankeny Library
Curbside pick up is available.
Clive Public Library
Curbside pick up is available.
Grimes Public Library
Curbside pick up is available. Summer Reading program is June 1 through July 31.
Johnston Library
Curbside pick up is available.
Urbandale Public Library
Closed to the public until at least June 15th. Curbside pick up is available.
Waukee Public Library
Curbside pick up is available.
Des Moines Parks and Rec
Des Moines parks and trails are open. Playgrounds are scheduled to open June 15. Bathrooms may not be open.
Spraygrounds, wading pools, aquatic centers, and drinking fountains remain closed.
West Des Moines Parks and Rec
Playgrounds are now open as well as picnic shelters, restrooms, and tennis courts. Raccoon River Beach is open for swimming.
