Des Moines Travel Forum

Are there any long distance train services available in Des Moines? What is the best mode of travel to Chicago from Des Moines.

We will be in Des Moines for about 3 months, would anyone like to suggest some day trips options. We are nature lovers.

No trains from Chicago. There are numerous nature areas in Iowa. You might especially ike the Iowa River Greenbelt near Iowa Falls. E-mail if I can help. Mark

Unfortunately there is no train service anywhere near Des Moines. Airfare is very expensive from Chicago because there is very little competition. You could drive (about a 5 - 6 hour trip) or take a bus from Chicago.

Check out this site for a nature walk in Iowa - http://www.trailresources.com/trail-iowa-heart-of-iowa-nature-trail.html

First of all read Fat Girls of Des Moines by american writer, Bill Bryson.
i spent one summer at an indian settlement nearby and was free every weekend, used to drive around a fair bit, lots of places to go to and undiscovered places, quaint places. dont expect great food, but people are friendly. university towns like ames and iowa city were welcome as well. there is a amana christian colony worth visiting.

www.fws.gov/Midwest/nealsmith

Researchers are trying to uncover the "best practices" for returning former farmland to its original prairie environment. Nothing spectacular -- Iowa is flat and has almost no areas untramelled by agriculture -- but an interesting educational experience. You might just see the bison and elk that have been re-introduced as part of the process.