Check Out These Must-See Festive Destinations in Iowa This Holiday Season

The holidays are here again in Iowa. As the pandemic begins to wind down, many traditional festive spots are now ready to open. There are destinations in this state you just cannot miss. These venues belong to the overall list of 150 festive destinations in the USA. It is time to gather the family and set a date to check out the following festive holiday places in Iowa.

Santa’s Valley Ride

Spending some time with Santa Claus on his holiday train is an adventure you will not forget. This is something you need to do with the family. You can get the Santa’s Scenic Valley Ride book by Misty McNally and follow it during your journey on board the Santa Express. Santa will be giving away sleigh bells to kids during the trip.

Arriving at the station 45 minutes to an hour before the set departure time will give you enough time to park, get tickets, and use the restroom before you board the Santa Express. There are gift shops at the depot you can visit while waiting to get on the train. Coats are important because this is a winter train ride. It is better to be early because the train always leaves on time.

Santa in DSM

Nothing beats seeing and interacting with Santa during the holidays in Greater Des Moines (DSM). At Santa in the Neighborhood, you can expect Santa to pay a personal visit outside your home. This will save you from long lines. The survey you will fill out before your visit will tell Santa Claus all about your kids’ Christmas wishes, making it all the more personal.

Santa's Bedtime Stories at Outlets of Des Moines will also be a holiday delight. Saint Nicholas will sit in his North Pole story chair and read holiday stories for the kids. Each story will last for five to 10 minutes.

The Center Grove Orchard will also be the setting for one of De Moines’ longstanding family traditions. Here, you get to have Brunch with Santa, another great way to make the holiday season memorable for your family.

Light Up Urbandale in Lions Park

Light Up Urbandale is a traditional kickstart to the holidays. It often starts early in December. Here, you can visit Santa Claus and his reindeer. You can also enjoy as much holiday entertainment, crafts and Christmas trees as you can. As you and your family enjoy the offerings, the festivities also raise awareness for the Holiday Helping Hands Programs for seniors, teens, families and kids in need. You can donate clothes, toys, blankets, food and money.

Iowa’s Traditional Holiday Venues Are a Few of Over 150 Festive Destinations in the USA

The mentioned places are just three of the over 150 festive destinations in the USA. You can go on a holiday journey with your family, starting early in December. This will be enough time to stay for at least a week in Iowa and enjoy these experiences. It will be an extraordinary way to celebrate the holidays, indeed.

Named the #1 Best Place to Live in the Midwest and #2 Safest Place to Live, Greater Des Moines (DSM) is a city where you can have it all. Learn more about what it’s like to live here.