Few sports complexes in the country can compete with Raccoon River Park. Being Des Moines, Iowa’s premier facility, Raccoon River Park has so much to offer.
Whenever your team isn’t competing, they can take a dip in Blue Heron Lake and have fun on the 500-foot swimming beach. In terms of fields, Raccoon River Park features a multi-field soccer complex and five softball fields. Four picnic shelters are available and can provide your team with much needed shelter from the sun and rain. There is also a playground, walking trail, and ice rink on the premises.
Raccoon River Park will surely impress you with its one-of-a-kind amenities, but the reason your team will love this trip so much is because of all of the thrilling attractions and popular restaurants in Des Moines.
Things to Do
Principal Park
It’s not always warm and sunny in Des Moines. It is during the spring and summer though, and what occurs during the spring and summer? Baseball season is underway.
Des Moines may not have a major league team, but their minor league club can provide you with an entertaining night out that’s full of camaraderie. The Iowa Cubs play their home games at Principal Park and are a Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Tickets for the Cubs’ games are fairly cheap and if you happen to be bringing 25 or more people to the game, everyone will receive discounts on admission.
Principal Park has many fun, silly activities that happen in between innings and on certain nights, they even have fireworks after the game. Treat yourself to some classic baseball food and get ready for nine awesome innings of Iowa Cubs baseball. 1 Line Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
Science Center of Iowa
This next attraction has a lot to offer and it’s best to visit it when you have a lot of time available. The Science Center of Iowa consists of two floors of scientific, interactive exhibits that will shock and amaze the whole team. The facility is divided into multiple galleries, all of which you should see.
Eureka! Lab houses some really cool gadgets that you won’t be able to stop experimenting with. Experience the power of the air cannons, mess around with the sparkly shimmer wall, or feel the heat from the giant hair dryer.
Learn the fun way in the John Deere Adventure Theater. Led by Science Center staff, there are a host of live science shows on a variety of topics. Get thrills from the chills of dry ice and liquid nitrogen. Encounter the center’s reptile and amphibians residents or find out how chemistry can be fun. Every show lasts about 20 minutes.
Some other must-see exhibits are the Star Theater planetarium, Blank IMAX Dome Theater which sports a six-story domed screen, and When Things Get Moving where you can launch rockets, construct dominoes courses, and more. 401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50309
Blank Park Zoo
Dubbed “Iowa’s wildest adventure,” and located not far from Raccoon River Park, Blank Park Zoo is motivated to educating guests on its wonderful animals and works to spread the message of conservation to every visitor. Spot some big cats like African lions and Amur tigers. Gaze at the long necks of giraffes and watch black rhinos lumbering around.
Don’t forget to stop by and see playful penguins and sea lions. These are just a couple of the many animals you will encounter at Blank Park Zoo. Your team can also take part in a discussion on conservation. The zoo brings in guest speakers to talk about the future of wildlife and how people are fighting to preserve habitats all around the world. Animal feedings are another exciting activity you can do while you’re there. Blank Park Zoo offers group discounts for any parties of 15 or more. 7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
The Fleur Cinema & Café
What The Fleur Cinema & Café lacks in movie selection, it makes up for with the delicious homemade baked goods. The cinema still has a decent selection of movies for your viewing pleasure. There are always at least two blockbuster hits playing along with some lesser known films. Throughout the year, The Fleur brings back beloved classic movies of the past that everyone should see.
There’s no better way to enhance your movie experience than by digging into one of The Fleur’s tasty treats. Gourmet popcorn, cake, cheesecake, dessert bars, and muffins are all on the menu. They also provide soda and candy to complete the authentic movie outing if you want to keep things traditional.
Kids 12 and under get in for cheaper ticket prices. The Fleur runs matinee prices until 6 p.m. on weekdays and until 4 p.m. on weekends. 4545 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
Wells Fargo History Museum
You know of the bank Wells Fargo, but do you know about the company’s history and their influence on the western frontier? After you stop by the Wells Fargo History Museum, you will be well-educated in the bank’s past; the bank’s logo, the stagecoach, will make a lot more sense after you go to the museum too. The focal piece of the museum is the authentic 19th century stage coach that is kept in meticulously good condition.
Many valuable precious minerals and gold are displayed in parts of the museum as well. These shiny and colorful spectacles are a delight to look at. Along with these minerals, you’ll find antique firearms and a functional telegraph. The museum has even constructed a replica mine shaft for you to check out.
This niche museum will offer an extensive look into one of the major bank company’s past. By the time you leave, you will have a wealth of knowledge to use to impress your friends and family. 666 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Escape Chambers
You won’t find many escape rooms with a variety of choices like the one at Escape Chambers. Head on over once you finish up at Raccoon River Park. There are 15 different rooms for you to try!
Some rooms have you figuring out how to escape a terrifying situation, like being trapped in a cellar, fighting to thwart a dark wizard, or searching for your friends who seemed to have disappeared from thin air. Other rooms have you solving a lot of puzzles, attempting to get your money back after you were scammed while gambling, or trying to find a beloved composer’s final work.
Escape Chambers has enough rooms that your team won’t have to wait to take a turn and because of the diversity of situations; everyone can find one to get excited about. 338 SW 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
To find hotel rooms closest to where your team is playing in Des Moines or any city, visit https://www.hotels4teams.com/. Hotels4Teams – The Best Hotels at the Best Prices, Closest to the Action!
Places to Eat
Cooper’s on 5th
There aren’t many restaurants that cook up a better lunch or dinner than Cooper’s on 5th.
If you aren’t too hungry or want to eat on the healthier side, Cooper’s has some really good salad options. Their sandwiches and hamburgers are very filling. The Meatloaf Meltdown sandwich is a favorite.
Some of the most-ordered entrees are the pork short ribs, Gouda mac and cheese, and the rib eye steak. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with bread pudding or chocolate fudge cake. 227 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Taco Hangover
There’s no such thing as getting tired of tacos. Even if you didn’t realize you were in the mood for one, once someone suggests it, it jumps to the top of the list of what you want to eat. If you find yourself with a taco craving while at the Raccoon River Park, Taco Hangover can help satisfy that hankering.
For an appetizer, the taco fries and pork wings are great options to kick things off. All of this restaurant’s tacos are priced at five dollars or less. Taco Hangover serves burritos, sandwiches, and burgers as well. 265 50th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Gilroy’s
Open for breakfast through dinner, Gilroy’s is a popular spot for locals and tourists. Early morning dishes include biscuits and gravy, breakfast pastries, pancakes, and some cold, refreshing smoothies. Frequently ordered lunch and dinner items to consider ordering are the chicken nachos, shrimp tacos, sandwiches, and pizzas. 1238 8th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Lemon Grass
For some delicious Chinese and Thai food, there’s nowhere better than Lemon Grass. Classic dishes like dumplings, noodles, and fried rice are on the menu. A solid selection of curry and stir fry can also be found at Lemon Grass. Regardless of your taste in Asian cuisine, Lemon Grass will deliver and then some. 1221 8th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
You can count on a few things from your trip. Raccoon River Park will provide your team with all of the amenities you’ll need for the tournament to run smoothly. Looking bigger picture, Des Moines has the frills and thrills you could ask for and will keep everyone well fed.