Take a Day Trip to Ankeny, Iowa in DSM USA This Summer

When you live in Greater Des Moines (DSM), you’ll never need to look far for things to do and places to stay. In this new “DSM Day Trip” series, we’re highlighting different cities and counties around the region so you can see just what each of these different locations has to offer. In our first post, check out Ankeny, Iowa. From must-attend events to shopping, dining and hotels, Ankeny is the perfect place to spend a day.

Summer Things to Do in Ankeny, Iowa

Must-Attend Ankeny Events

Summer Kids Series at B&B Theatres Ankeny 12 & B-Roll Bowling

Grab a $3 (Backstage Pass member) or $5 (nonmember) ticket for one of the Summer Kids Series showtimes below:

• Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: July 2 – 4
• Trolls Band Together: July 9 – 11
• Peter Rabbit 2: July 16 – 18
• Kung Fu Panda: July 23 – 25
• Angry Birds 2: July 30 – Aug. 1

Learn more about the Summer Kids Series and other B&B Theatres events, including Sensory-Friendly showtimes at bbtheatres.com (Select Ankeny 12 w/ B-Roll Bowling as your location).

Summer Concert Series in Uptown and The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny

This summer, you have options for live music series on various nights thanks to Beats & Eats, Nash Nights and Sips & Songs concerts. A few upcoming events include:

• Friday, July 5: Standing Hampton & Corbett Reeves (Sips & Songs)
• Thursday, July 11: Dustin West Band (Beats & Eats)
• Thursday, July 18: Chayce Beckham (Nash Nights)
• Thursday, July 18: Jones & Owen (Beats & Eats)
• Friday, July 19: The Schmidt Brothers & Day’s Live Music (Sips & Songs)
• Thursday, July 25: Blacktop Rock Band (Beats & Eats)
• Friday, July 26: The Pork Tornadoes & Birdchild (Sips & Songs)
• Thursday, Aug. 29: Shane Profitt (Nash Nights)

See the full summer lineups at Beats & Eats in Uptown Ankeny, Nash Nights in The District and Sips & Songs in The District.

Ankeny Yoga in the Park

Saturday mornings at 8 a.m., roll out your yoga mat at Wagner Park for an hour of free yoga with certified instructors. You don’t have to be an expert, and all ages are welcome. In July, and August, instructors include Frankie Saitz (July 6, Aug. 10), Tanya Dideriksen (July 13, Aug. 3), Gary Howard (July 20), Ashley Kokemuller (July 27), Canada Myers-Snyder (Aug. 17 and 24), Zach Johnson (Aug. 31).

Learn more about Yoga in the Park.

Family Fun Night at Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center in Ankeny

Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center will hold two Family Fun Night events where up to four members can swim for just $10. Season passes are also accepted. Both Family Fun Night swimming events take place from 4 – 6 p.m. Sunday, July 7 and Sunday, July 21.

Ankeny Chamber SummerFest

The District at Prairie Trail now hosts Ankeny’s annual SummerFest event, featuring live music, a carnival, Grand Parade and Kiddie Parade, coloring contest, fireworks and other activities to keep you busy for the three-day event. This year’s theme, “Making a Splash,” celebrates the underwater adventures you can have as a kid. Attend SummerFest Thursday, July 11 from 4 – 9 p.m. (carnival only), Friday, July 12 from 4 – 11 p.m., Saturday, July 13 from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. (with the Grand Parade at 9 a.m.) and Sunday, July 14 from 1 – 10 p.m.

Parking is available in The District at Prairie Trail, but you can also find parking at DMACC Campus in Ankeny and take a shuttle to SummerFest. Shuttle times are Friday, July 12 from 3:30 p.m. – Midnight, Saturday, July 13 from 10:30 a.m. until Midnight and Sunday, July 14 from 12:30 – 11 p.m.

So who is performing at SummerFest this year? Thanks to local sponsors Greater Iowa Credit Union, Magee’s Irish Pub & Eatery and Heartland Roofing, Siding and Solar, live music acts in the Entertainment Garden will keep you singing and dancing along all weekend. Here’s the lineup:

• Friday: Jordan Beem, Tank Anthony and Big Time Grain
• Saturday: School of Rock Ankeny, DJ Big Lare, Brad and Kate, Exit 185, Birdchild and Not Quite Brothers
• Sunday: Ankeny Community Band, Royce Johns, June Bugs DSM, Emma Butterworth

All activities, entertainment times and more can be found at ankenysummerfest.com.

Movies Under the Stars in Ankeny

Catch the last three showings at dusk during this summer’s Movies Under the Stars series at the Bandshell at Wagner Park. Trolls Band Together (July 19), Dr. Seuss’ the Lorax (July 26) and TMNT Mutant Mayhem (Aug. 2) will end this fun, free annual event.

Movies Under the Stars info can be found at ankenyiowa.gov.

Ankeny All-City Play Day

Interested in participating in a bike rodeo with Ankeny Police? You can even get a free bike helmet while supplies last! What about taking part in a foam party, canoeing, face painting or hanging out with friends in the inflatables on-site? All-City Play Day at Ankeny’s Hawkeye and Wagner Parks is free and open to all ages. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Aug. 1 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Get the scoop on attending or volunteering ahead of the event at ankenyiowa.gov.

5K Beer Run at Firetrucker Brewery

Lace up your shoes and get ready to run, walk or jog at Firetrucker Brewery in Uptown Ankeny. The route is near the High Trestle Trail and begins and ends at the taproom on Saturday, Aug. 24 as part of the Iowa Brewery Running Series.

Did you know that the High Trestle Trail is one of the big reasons Ankeny was recently ranked 6th best medium size city in the country to ride a bike by People for Bikes? Check out the ranking here!

Learn more at firetrucker.com.

Shopping Districts and Restaurants in Ankeny

Along Delaware Avenue in Ankeny, you’ll find shops and retail spaces as well as restaurants to support locally. Brown Dog Bakery, Fiscus Diamond Jewelers, The Other Place, B-Bops and more are here, and on the north side of Delaware, there’s also nearby Costco Ankeny.

The Ankeny Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday through Sept. 21 at the Ankeny Market & Pavilion (AMP) in Uptown Ankeny from 8 a.m. until Noon. Vendors sell produce, baked goods, crafts and prepared food items that are ready to eat on-site. Learn about vendor products and more at uptownankeny.org.

It’s not just the Ankeny Farmers’ Market that’s in Uptown Ankeny. Every day, you’ll find shopping at Real Deals, and dining options like Leaning Tower of Pizza, Mullets, Porch Light Coffee House and Trailside Tap.

Finally, shop at Mainstream Boutique, Purple Poppy Boutique or Spavia in The District at Prairie Trail. You can fill up on good eats from restaurants like Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and Jethro’s BBQ n’ LakeHouse, too!

Check out our guide to shopping locally close to your trip in Ankeny by checking out our North and Central Greater Des Moines (DSM) Guide.

Hotels in Ankeny

Rest easy in Ankeny, Iowa by choosing to stay at one of the city’s hotels. Courtyard By Marriott Ankeny has an indoor pool and free Wi-Fi, while Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Conference Center has an on-site fitness center and heated indoor pool. Staybridge Suites Des Moines North – Ankeny is pet-friendly and offers a complimentary evening social on Monday through Wednesday. You can choose an option like Country Inn & Suites By Radisson for a location that’s waterside off I-35 or Homewood Suites by Hilton Ankeny for a suite that comes with a fully equipped kitchen.

For more information on places to stay and things to do in Ankeny, Iowa, visit ankeny.org.

Spending a day in Greater Des Moines (DSM) means you’ll have the chance to experience local outdoor recreation areas, shopping destinations and arts and cultural activities. It’s easy to support local businesses, have fun with the family, make friends and take in all that the region has to offer. Find events and things to do in DSM communities all year round at DSMpartnership.com.