Recommendations for Road Trip from Des Moines

[RLD4ISU]

Lots of good suggestions. Have fun trying to decide.

Omaha. Stay downtown. Take the kids to Henry Doorly Zoo. Some downtown hotels provide a free shuttle to the zoo and to shopping/restaurants within a couple of miles. Holiday Inn Omaha Downtown - Old Market has an indoor water park with a splash pad and they're one of the hotels that provides a shuttle. The Old Market area has quite a few nice restaurants. Upstream Brewing Company is very good.

Adding to some of the Iowa suggestions:

• Hardin County. Pine Lake State Park. Paved walking/biking trails from Eldora to Steamboat Rock. Swimming beach. Campground (though I believe they're closing it the end of July for renovations). Cabins. When the kids are older (or if you go without kids), check out Rock & Row Adventures and go tubing down the Iowa River. Tower Rock (south of Steamboat Rock) - trails, hiking and the county has two rental cabins.
  
  
• Lake Red Rock. Multiple campgrounds, rental cabins at Cordova Park cabins. Guessing there are other cabins or B&B nearby. Pella has a few hotels. Volksweg trail (paved trail, 12 miles and currently being expanded). Beach area at the lake. Pella and Knoxville are close by for food. Peace Tree Brewing in Knoxville is family friendly.
  
  
• Lake Rathbun area. Honey Creek Resort has an indoor waterpark. You can stay at the hotel or rent cabins (though I think they can be a little pricey). There are other areas to stay at around the lake that have cabin rentals. Centerville is close by, Take a drive to Davis County/Bloomfield area and check out the Amish and Mennonite stores. The Amish population there is slightly larger than Amana colonies, though not as well known.

When the kids area older, keep Hannibal, MO in mind. You could always watch Tom Sawyer before, then take the kids to the cave, town, etc. (About a 4 hour drive from Des Moines)

If you want a fun trip without kids, check out Hermann, MO for a weekend trip. Stay at one of the B&B's, get wristbands for the trolley and let it take you from winery to winery.

 

[twa5786]

Thanks for all the great recommendations, guys! We’ve been to NE IA, Dub/Galena, Door County, and Madison before, so as much as I appreciate the intel there, we’re going to pursue a few of the MN recs. I appreciate all the info!

 

[Isualum13]

My aunt and uncle own Birchwood Resort in Sauk Centre, MN.

Google maps says it's just under a 6 hour drive from Des Moines. Cabin 2 sleeps 4, and is 185 a night. If you stay for a week that drops to 135 a night. They have a playground on site and are near a bike trail and two golf courses. They have a restaurant on site as well that is open Thursday through Sunday.
Boats and pontoons available for rent.

http://birchwoodresortllc.com/

 

[moores2]

Bella Vista Arkansas. I have had relatives live there for a long time. Tons of airbnb opportunities that are on the lake. (Basically a retirement community sometimes those airbnbs include a boat). Tons of golf courses for pretty cheap rates. Really cool bike trails. We are planning a trip this summer to visit them to take advantage of these social distancing opportunities.

 

[spierceisu]

I can't speak to it as I have never been, but heard good things about Branson, MO. I thought I wouldn't be interested in it, but I talked to someone about it and they thought I would like it.