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    Blank Park Zoo

    4.0 (87 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Blank Park Zoo Photos

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    Warren M.

    A very nice zoo. It is small but has a good variety of animals. There are no elephants or gorillas, but there are lions and tigers and rings. There is an aussie area with wallabies and others. Seriously, if you're in the area, it is a great quiet and relaxing attraction.

    Michelle L.

    Amazing!! Staff were super friendly and informative. Animas would be happy to see the staff.

    Kaai L.

    We didn't really see many animals because we actually came to the zoo to see their lights exhibit they had while we were at a swim clinic in Des Moines! When we arrived there, the zoo was lit up with all kinds of light sculptures and things! It was so beautiful! There were some animals still awake at 7:30pm too so we did see some of them! This light exhibit was much more than I expected! It was amazing! The kids LOVED it and had so much fun! The layout of the zoo is perfect. Not too big, not too small and it's pretty easy to navigate through! I would highly recommend coming to see Blank Park Zoo's Wild Lights Festival when it's available. I will have to come during the day to see all the animals they offer.

    Darrin B.

    My GF daughter is a zoo keeper in Naples, so when ever we get a chance to visit a zoo we go. First the staff in the front area was not friendly or helpful. We had an online coupon for a few dollars off but had difficulty getting it to load. When we told the girls up front, they just looked at us with a blank "what do you want me to do" expression. Maybe it was just a bad day but it seemed to be that way all across the zoo when we observed staff huddled together talking and avoiding the people visiting. The grounds were nice and clean and we liked the enclosures and exhibits, but we felt like the visitors were a nuisance to the staff. Lets just hope it was a bad day.

    Sammijo H.

    This small zoo is a wonderful place to enjoy the day! They have a great atmosphere, the staff are excellent and every restroom is very clean. They have a petting zoo for the kids and a small play area. They also have face painting available.

    Michael H.

    It's a smaller zoo, but very well kept, and fun for a family outing. The animal enclosures looked clean and well manicured, the animals looked healthy, and the park grounds are very colorful and clean. There's a petting zoo area where you can get food to feed the animals. Plenty of spots for resting along the way, and places for food and snacks. There's also a carousel you can ride, and a nice gift shop as well. We'd definitely go back!

    Giraffe
    Ade B.

    This zoo is small compared to the more well known zoos. But the small size means you can get more up close and personal with some of the animals. I'm a big fan of the big cats and I was lucky enough to get there when some of them were actually awake. There are lions and tigers and I took plenty of pictures. The zoo was not crowded so getting the pictures I wanted was not a problem. Seeing the Rhinos and giraffes up close were highlights as well. The red pandas were adorable. And the bald Eagles seemed to be staring me down. Maybe it was because I was wearing an Eagles hat. If you are in Des Moines do yourself a favor and visit the Blank Park Zoo.

    Entrance
    Marisa B.

    For a smaller scale zoo they have a a lot of things for kids and families to do. The exhibits are in good proximity to each other so you don't have to walk far to see anything. Our kids loves the play area and the rainforest.

    Get up close to the fish!
    Andrea T.

    When the weather is nice or warm for the current season, the Blank Park Zoo is the first place I think of taking my kids. It's a great place to be outside, learn about animals and nature, and we all get some exercise! The Blank Park Zoo isn't the biggest zoo but it's perfect for a couple of hours with the kids and easy to have friends come along. Don't let the size fool you they have lots of new animals. I'm amazed every year at how many babies are born. Babies like rhinos, giraffes, and lions! So exciting! Add in a carousel, train rides, face painting, giraffe feeding, camel rides, etc and there's lots to keep the kids interested. Really excited to see how the zoo continues to change and grow!

    Entrance
    Tara R.

    Was travelling to Des Moines for the first time. Decided to check out Blank Park Zoo on the way downtown. Glad I did. The zoo was beautiful and had a variety of animals from different regions of the world. It was organized well and the staff was extremely friendly. It was convenient how they require ticket purchase online and upon arrival you simply scan your ticket upon entry. I paid 2 dollars to feed the parakeets which was nice. I also paid a dollar to get a small cup of food to feed the goats. There were a ton or children there with families and with groups. I recomend a visit to this zoo if in the area.

    starfish and sea life
    Rob P.

    We've always loved the Blank Park Zoo. It's been one of our year-round go-to places. Recently they've been able to share some exciting new babies in the zoo including a rhino and giraffe. In the warm months they have great areas open with animals from around the world. The zoo keeper shows and interactive exhibits are always a big hit. Of course most kids want to do the things like riding the train and carousel, feeding the birds and giraffes...all of which is not included in your entry fee or membership, so plan accordingly, especially if you have a larger group. During the cold months, many outside exhibits are closed. The indoor area is really nice and a good way to feel like you're warm outside though it's cold. Though it's much less busy with people during this time, it's worth a visit. Walking around outside reveals some of the heartier animals that have year-round homes. But if you have a pass this is a great time to visit, get in a good walk, and spend a little more time with the animals you'd just pass by on a warmer day. Throughout the year this zoo also has a lot of special events, classes, summer camp activities, volunteer opportunities and even seasonal favorites like when the Easter Bunny is here. I personally do not like their version of trick or treat. It's dark, the exhibits are mostly closed, the line is crazy long and the kids wind up with "maybe" five tiny pieces of candy. Unless your kid just needs a long, structured walk around in their Halloween costume and you'd like to pay for that walk, maybe reconsider. All in all this is a great place to spend the day, especially with younger kids. If you have an annual pass, time to kill, or just don't like crowds of people, consider a winter visit. You may be pleasantly surprised.

    Feeding farm animals.
    Dmitriy N.

    Went here with family and loved it. Great price and plenty to see. The animals actually looked happy and well taken care of in larger than usual enclosures. Train ride was nice. Farm area for kids was great as they get to feed the animals and there is a playground. It's the perfect size and great for kids. I will be back again so my little one can have appreciation for animals and have a fun time.

    Giraffe !
    Jeffrey L.

    Beautiful, well maintained zoo. The animals looked happy and well cared for. I loved that they let me bring my service dog, and appreciated that they have a trainer come along with you to ensure that the dog is a real service dog and will be okay around animals. For people with real service animals, fake service dogs are extremely dangerous so I always appreciate a thorough approach.

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    This place has everything you want and more there's camps, trains, school nights, and more I love this place

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Blank Park Zoo

    Review Highlights - Blank Park Zoo

    Located in the southern part of Des Moines, it's a bit of a drive from a lot of places, but overall not terrible.

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    Science Center of Iowa - November 2025

    Science Center of Iowa

    3.8(69 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    Nice, family friendly museum located in downtown Des Moines, but there are way too many screaming…read morekids running around. Why do people bring children under 8 to these types of places? It's not like they will even know or comprehend any of these things, much less be able to sit still during demonstrations or when viewing exhibits. It was nice to see that all science demonstrations and shows in the planetarium are included in your ticket price. If you check out a few of those, then it is well worth the admission even as an adult!

    A Full-Circle Journey at the Science Center of Iowa!…read more I used to bring my kids here when they were little, and now I've returned with one of them and her babies. What a wonderful, full-circle experience! The Science Center of Iowa does a fantastic job creating a fun and exciting environment for kids of all ages and "adult children" alike. Your senses come alive as you explore the many awesome, interactive exhibits across both levels, indoors and out. There's so much to see and do. You can navigate through tunnels made of packing tape, gaze at Cinderella's castle built entirely of LEGOs in the Brick by Brick exhibit, or launch homemade rockets and send smoke signals in the When Things Get Moving exhibit. We also watched a snake shed its skin in What on Earth, used hand tools in the Maker's Studio, and saw constellations fly through the sky in Why the Sky. They do a great job of keeping the exhibits fresh and updated, which keeps them appealing to every generation. If you haven't been to the Science Center, with or without kids, I highly recommend spending a few hours here. The building is cool to see from the outside, but the real magic happens once you enter and head inside. While they have a fantastic gift shop, a note of sadness: The Blank IMAX Dome Theater, once a prominent feature, was permanently closed following severe flood damage in 2018. This place is very socially oriented, offering live educational shows on a schedule throughout the day, as well as special events like adult-themed evenings with a mixology lab. They also partner with schools for field trips and so much more. It's a true hub for discovery and community.

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    Science Center of Iowa - Broken

    Broken

    Science Center of Iowa - November 2025

    November 2025

    Science Center of Iowa - Chemistry Clues demonstration

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    Chemistry Clues demonstration

    Des Moines City of - New one going up

    Des Moines City of

    4.7(3 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Surprisingly great Warmer than the Twin Cities…read moreA bit, anyways For the first 40 and some years of my life, I had only driven through Des Moines and never spent anytime there. Well, guess what? I spent a night there a couple months ago and liked it so much that I went back a month later and spent two nights! The brewery and beer bar scene is amazing. Wrote a five star review of Madhouse, but Confluence, Court Avenue, Twisted Vine, etc etc were also all great. Then you put the cherry on top. Two great beer bars. El Bait Shop - two hundred plus beers on tap. Five star review at some point in the future. Then you have got the Iowa Tap Room. Boatload of taps from breweries all over Iowa. The Lyft/Uber drivers were the friendliest that I have met anywhere. Why not five stars? At under a million metro population, you would probably end up going to the same places all the time. Secondly, it is still the Midwest and still cold. However, it was fourteen degrees warmer in Des Moines than the Twin Cities on my last trip between departure and arrival. Given that I grew up a state north, I would consider living there especially since the cost of living is so low. If I had grown up south of the Mason Dixon Line, I would probably not be quite as fond.

    I always imagine this place was named after a 5 year old. Specifically, what a 5 year old says when…read moreyou try and take his toys away... or his cookies. "Noooooo! Des Moines!" Des Moines is a lovely City. It's a city that really hasn't been spoiled by Urban growth to the degree that many cities have now. You can still drive around the city and feel like there is some peace and quiet and some space, and living room (oh that sounds so early-20th-century German of me, not cool), but I'm sure people here do have living rooms in their houses, so it's sort of accurate. Even in the very heart of it, DSM as they call it, is not too bustling. Ever. The humble but impressive downtown mini-skyline sticks up from the center of the city so from miles around you can see it poking its head through the tree line. Or field line or flat burb line as the case may be. There are some nice parks and some nice restaurants and some nice people as well. I think nice is the operative word for Des Moines. I haven't had any spectacular concerts here but a couple of them have been pretty good, and I appreciated them. I highly recommend you try the Hiland Bakery, with it's yum goodies. And Classic Custard too, for, well, Classic Custard. And the Bubble Tea at Bubbly Tea House is authentic, which is shocking for this state. Think about it. There are some good food options here as well as some bland but original and unusual local specialty foods. Such as the tenderloin, best served at B & B. So, DSM is an Uncharted and unfashionable and unheralded and underrated place. People here can be friendly. Some more than others. Iowa has a reputation for being very friendly but despite what I said earlier, gradually, DSM is morphing into more of a big city. It still has a very relaxed feel though. There are lots of poor areas and there is some tension I noticed between the wealthy Suburban types and the poor communities including some ethnic communities. There is a surprising number of Mexicans and other black people here which provides a Great Southern & South of the Border flavor to some of the food. Anyway Iowa lot of money so I need to go get a job ttyl.

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    Des Moines City of
    Des Moines City of
    Des Moines City of

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    Reiman Gardens - The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing is home to 800 butterflies.

    Reiman Gardens

    4.7(58 reviews)
    33.8 mi

    Has it really been 16 years since I last visited Reiman Gardens and wrote a Yelp review about it?…read more Maybe, and it seems that the facility has significantly expanded since then. Gayle and I stopped by today to wander and enjoy. It's still a little confusing to get here as it seems that you're entering the Jack Trice Stadium complex instead of the Reiman Gardens parking lot. But once we were parked, it was an easy walk into the main building to pay our admission and start our journey. Reiman Gardens is a year-round facility that is owned by Iowa State and no doubt also hosts various University events and weddings. The Butterfly wing is still there, plus some sort of goth theme in another greenhouse. Also inside is a cute little gift shop and lots of office and meeting space. The outside is expansive, with lots of nicely landscaped grounds and plenty of shade in various areas. Gayle and I especially enjoyed the large Gnome, the Sycamore Falls complex, the various hordes of pollinators on some flowers, and just wandering around the various curved paths. Some parts are a little close to a busy road, but we chose to concentrate on the Gardens present. Maybe it was also the soothing sound of water in various places. We spent at least a couple hours here and allowed ourselves to be immersed in the various shades of solitude within a campus that seemed so far away. Gardens staff were friendly, helpful, and excited about being there. Hopefully, I won't wait so many years before coming back.

    Our family visited on a Friday morning. We spent most of our time in the butterfly wing. There were…read morenearly 1000 butterflies fluttering about and our girls had the most wonderful time observing. Afterwards, we walked around the gardens and had some interesting finds, such as the Up house replica and world's largest concrete gnome.

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    Reiman Gardens - The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing: An enchanting attraction for all ages!

    The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing: An enchanting attraction for all ages!

    Reiman Gardens
    Reiman Gardens

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    Blank Park Zoo - zoos - Updated May 2026

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