Fall in Greater Des Moines

Find apple orchards, fall foliage along hundreds of miles of trails, pumpkin patches, and hayrides in Greater Des Moines! Spend a Saturday morning browsing the Downtown Farmers’ Market and the afternoon sipping a local fall-inspired beer before sampling seasonal dishes from top-notch chefs. Looking for the perfect pumpkin? Geisler Farms and Center Grove Orchard not only have stellar squash, but visitors can enjoy corn mazes, U-pick apples, and food vendors featuring the flavors of fall.

Experience the colors of fall at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden or walk the Iowa Arboretum. Billing itself as a “Library of Living Plants,” at the Iowa Arboretum you’ll stroll through hundreds of species of trees, shrubs and flowers in a tranquil, 40-acre scenic fall setting. Ride through the fall foliage on the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad’s Pumpkin Express train, where you’ll take a 90-minute trip through beautiful forests and across the 156′ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, followed by a leisurely stroll through the railroad museum.

Other fall, fun options across Greater Des Moines include the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and Jester Park. Be sure visit the new Jester Park Nature Center featuring interactive woodland, wetland and prairie exhibits, habitat wall, naturalist nook and more.

Festival seekers have no shortage of options with events including Oktoberfest, the World Food and Music Festival, Night Eyes, Iowa Latino Heritage Festival and more. Whether you are looking for apple pie, pumpkin beer, or an orchard adventure, there’s no shortage of fall things to do in Des Moines!

INSIDERS GUIDE

Hear from locals about where to eat, drink, and spend your time while visiting Greater Des Moines. Catch an insider look at events, suggested itineraries, places to shop, and a few of the many delicious restaurants. These are just a few of our recommendations! Check out an entire list of blogs here.