Each month, we highlight the most buzzworthy places and events in Greater Des Moines in a feature we call Des Buzz. It's your “in the know” list of places to go!
Iowa Wild
Your Iowa Wild are back on their home rink for their home opener on Saturday, October 12 to take on the Manitoba Moose. Celebrate the start of the season with magnet schedules for the first 1,500 fans and enjoy a pregame concert. They are home again on Sunday, October 13 with a post-game skate, as well as a shoe charm giveaway for kids 12 and under. These players will have you yelling gooooal!
Phantom Fall Fest
Adventureland Park is open after dark! Enjoy the return of Phantom Fall Fest, weekends through October 27. During the day, Adventureland will have family-friendly fun, festive food, and plenty of rides and rollercoasters to enjoy. Once the sun goes down, the scaring begins. With four haunted houses and four scare zones, you’re sure to scream. Plus, watch out for the creepy characters exploring the park alongside visitors. Purchase tickets online for as low as $35!
Haunted Scream Park
Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park is returning for 2024! One of the largest and most elaborate Halloween theme parks in Iowa, the park is sure to please. With 10+ different scare attractions, there’s something for everyone. Explore one of Sleepy Hollow’s most popular attractions, Freakshow, for a scare with clowns and creatures or take a walk through the Island of Dr. Demonik. Open weekends through October from 7 p.m. – Midnight. Tickets are $30 for those 12 and up, get them here.
IMT Des Moines Marathon
Run, Des Moines, run! The IMT Des Moines Marathon returns Sunday, October 20. Join in on the fun by running a full marathon, half marathon, or even a 5k. The course will take runners through the Sculpture Park, the iconic blue oval, Historic Valley Junction, downtown Des Moines, and so much more. If you don’t want to do the actual running, the event needs a ton of volunteers throughout the course. Hand out water, cheer the runners on, and more!
The Slaughterhouse
Spooky season isn’t complete without a walk (or run) through The Slaughterhouse Haunted House. The haunted house is based on the FDA shutting down a packing plant, but little did anyone know, a side operation was going on deep down. Who knows who or what will emerge as you walk through the Slaughterhouse. You can visit every weekend in October, including a few Thursdays. Get your tickets here.
NBA Preseason Game
The NBA is heading to Des Moines! On Friday, October 11, head to Wells Fargo Arena where the Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in an NBA Preseason game. Enjoy cheering on familiar players such as Luka Garza, Josh Minott, and more. Tickets start as low as $10, and you can get them here.
Wilson’s Orchard and Farm
Greater Des Moines is filled with pumpkin patches perfect for the season, and Wilson’s Orchard and Farm is the cool new kid on the block. Start out your day with a ride along to get a tour of their new farm and choose the best pumpkin from the patch. Then, finish your day finding your way through the three-acre corn maze (if you’re looking for a spookier experience, try out their Alien Invasion maze after dark). Explore their farm store full of apple cider donuts, prepared foods, and more seasonal items. They will also have seasonal events all month long, and always have their Ciderhouse Restaurant & Bar open, where the wood fired pizzas are the star.
Nightmare on Ingersoll
If seasonal pop-up bars are your jam, Nightmare on Ingersoll is going to be your new favorite spot. Returning from last year, The Station on Ingersoll will have a spooky setup throughout October. Enjoy seasonal drinks like Betelgeuse or Apple Cider Mimosas, as well as Mocktails like Casper’s Caramel Apple Soda. New this year, Nightmare on Ingersoll has double the scares, with their second location at Jordan Creek Mall. Both locations are open through November 2, make a reservation here.