It’s a Trip. Make It an Adventure.
Some trips are all about choices. High-speed roller coasters or lazy rivers. Funnel cake or frozen cocktails. Thrill rides or wave pools. At Adventureland, you don’t have to pick just one.
With one ticket, you get access to both Adventureland Theme Park and Adventure Bay Water Park, meaning your perfect summer day can look however you want it to. Spend the morning riding Iowa’s most iconic coasters, cool off with waterslides in the afternoon, then end the night with games, food, and core summer memories. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline, family fun, or poolside relaxation, Adventureland makes it easy to make the trip yours.
For Thrill Seekers: Adventureland Theme Park
To get the most value out of your ticket, arrive when the park opens at 10 a.m. and head straight for the biggest attractions first. From there, we recommend getting to the most popular rides first like 4-D spin coaster, The Dragon Slayer, Draken Falls, Flying Viking, Monster, and Phoenix. These fan favorites tend to build longer wait times later in the day, so riding early is the move.
From there, you’ll find more than 45 rides and attractions designed for every age and comfort level, from kid-friendly classics to full-on scream machines. And if you’re feeling lucky, test your skills at the classic carnival games scattered throughout the park.
And this summer, the thrills extend beyond the rides. From June 1-16, the new “Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show” brings high-energy competitions, axe throwing, log rolling, and larger-than-life lumberjack antics to the park. Then from June 17-30, the “Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show" takes over with incredible rescue dogs performing jaw-dropping tricks and stunts alongside their trainers. Both shows take place daily at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m., making them the perfect midday break between rides.
When hunger hits, Adventureland delivers all the favorites with many food stands around the park. Grab a funnel cake, kettle corn, handcrafted lemonade, or ice cream for a quick snack, or sit down with burgers, BBQ, pizza, or chicken tenders before heading towards your next adventure.
For Cooling Off: Adventure Bay Water Park
When the afternoon heat rolls in, Adventure Bay Water Park is the place to be. Located within the Adventureland grounds, Adventure Bay gives guests access to massive waterslides, splash zones, pools, and relaxing attractions all included with admission. Change into your swimsuit and dive into attractions like Kokomo Kove, Hyperlight, Bermuda Quadrangle, and Reef Racer’s six-lane competitive slide.
Families can spend hours exploring the massive play structures, while thrill seekers can race down slides or brave Iowa’s largest wave pool holding more than 500,000 gallons of water.
Looking for a slower pace? Grab a tube and float the lazy river or relax poolside with a drink from the swim-up bar while the kids tackle the slides.
New this summer, Neon Nights transforms Adventure Bay into an after-dark waterpark party every Friday and Saturday from July 10-August 15. Starting at 7 p.m., this ticketed event starts after the water park closes to the public. Expect glowing LED lights, music, extended water park hours, and a completely different vibe once the sun goes down.
Insider Tip: Adventure Bay typically closes earlier than the theme park, around 6 or 7 p.m. depending on the month, while Adventureland Theme Park stays open as late as 8-10 p.m. during peak summer dates. Spend the hottest part of the day at the water park, then dry off and head back for evening rides and games.
Make It a Full Getaway
When evening rolls around, the choice is yours. Dry off and head back into Adventureland Theme Park for another round of rides and games or commemorate your trip with an Adventureland souvenir offered at shops all around the park. If you’re having so much fun that you don’t want to leave, don’t worry, you don’t have to! Stay nearby and turn your visit into a full weekend getaway. Adventureland Campground offers RV and tent camping just steps away from the park, making it easy to maximize your time without ever leaving the area. Beyond the park, Adventureland is proud to partner with 49 hotels across the Greater Des Moines metro area in a hotel and ticket package, so you can book both in one easy place.
Insider Tip: Want to level up your day at Adventure Bay? Reserve a cabana for a shaded home base between slides, wave pool breaks, and lazy river laps. And if you’re staying overnight at the campground, bundled packages with four Adventureland tickets can save families more than 40% compared to purchasing tickets separately.
For more information, check out Adventureland's website here.
Address: Adventureland, 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona, Iowa 50009
Admission: Single day tickets starting at $42.99, $69.99 any day tickets, and more group tickets/passes available.*
Parking: On-site parking available for $21 for a single day and $26 for preferred parking (must purchase in advance).
*Check the website for special offers!
