Road trip from Des Moines to Fort Wayne
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Outdoor Activities
Museums
Nature & Parks
Food & Drink
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Fun & Games
Shopping
Nightlife
Concerts & Shows
Classes & Workshops
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ITINERARY
9h 25m478 miles24 stops
1
Brenton Skating Plaza
2
Capitol Building
3
Iowa State Fairgrounds
For 11 days in August, it’s a fairground, but for the other 354 days of the year, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is home to auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows and more. See what’s happening this month at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
4
Fitness Sports
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
5
German American Heritage Center
6
Freight House Farmers Market
7
1 Hundred West
1 Hundred West, in Davenport, IA, is the leading bar and grille serving Davenport and surrounding areas. We offer craft cocktails and a supper club inspired menu, along with drink specials, nightly features, wings, burgers, beer, family-style chicken fry, ribs, signature drinks, all you can eat fish fry and much more. For your next meal, visit 1 Hundred West in Davenport.
8
Endless Brews
We are a bottle shop & craft beer bar with 20 taps and over 300 select bottles and cans for carry-out.
9
Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archive
10
Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra
11
Wrigley Field
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs with Wrigley Field Tours. Built in 1914, this must-see Chicago attraction houses more than 100 years of history. New this year, fans can join us on a non-gameday Ivy Tour which includes the opportunity to take a photo in front of Wrigley Field’s historic ivy wall.
12
Boystown
Located in Chicago's North Side, this vibrant neighborhood is known for its exciting nightlife and for being one of the largest LGBTQIA+ communities in the city. It's the host of the annual Chicago Pride Parade, and a must-see in the area is the Legacy Walk on Halsted Street, where you can learn about the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community while admiring the colorful street art and rainbow crosswalks. Check out the unique shops and then grab a bite at one of the area's delicious Thai or Mexican restaurants. At night, visit one of the neighborhood's bars to enjoy a drag show, concert, and tasty cocktail. Consider taking a food or walking tour of Chicago that stops by Boystown. – Tripadvisor
13
The Chopping Block
The Chopping Block, Chicago's premiere recreational cooking school and gourmet retail store, offers demonstration and hands-on cooking classes, as well as wine classes, private cooking parties and corporate team building events. Classes at Lincoln Square cover subjects from cooking basics to intensive Boot Camps as well as seasonal, date nights, healthy and kids classes. We have a food-friendly wine selection so students can select beverages to pair with the menu of their class. Sorry, BYOB is not allowed.
14
Museum Of Illusions Chicago
15
Michigan Avenue Bridge
The view from the bridge is one of the best vistas the city has to offer.
16
The 900 Shops Mall
17
Grant Park
Dedicated in 1844, this park covers 319 acres along Lake Michigan and is home to the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum and the Art Institute.
18
Soldier Field
Venerable home field of the Chicago Bears football team.
19
Brookwood Golf Club
20
Combat Ops Entertainment
Combat Ops Entertainment is a 33,000+ square foot multi-attraction facility that is new, clean, modern and fun for the whole family! It offers over 10,000 square feet of mission-based laser tag arena, a 3500 square foot archery tag & NERF-style tag arena, 4 lanes of mini/duckpin bowling, 2 full-size axe throwing courts, a 3600 square foot arcade full of awesome prizes, an outdoor 9-hole mini golf course, a laser maze, and a Cafe that serves beer, pizza by the slice, burgers, chicken wings, and other favorite prepared snack foods. Our outdoor pavillion (1600 square feet) also features 4 outdoor axe throwing courts as well as other fun outdoor activities! We are an excellent venue for birthday parties, corporate groups & events, church groups, youth groups, team building, family outings, fundraisers, bachelor(ette) parties or any fun get together! Ready! Aim. Play!
21
Fort Wayne Museum of Art
At FWMoA, you will find exhibitions of American fine and decorative art ranging from the 19th century to contemporary art, including exhibitions exploring the cross-cultural connections between artwork and artists from diverse ethnic and national backgrounds. You also will find a lending library with over 8,000 art and culture volumes and periodicals for public use, a hands-on learning environment for young children, and a Print and Drawing Study Center available for first-hand study of our vast collection of works on paper. Additionally, the Paradigm Gallery gift shop features the art and fine craft of over 75 regional and national artists working in a variety of media.
22
Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
23
Lakeside Park & Rose Garden
24
Kekionga Cider Company
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
Des Moines to Fort Wayne
1
Start:Brenton Skating Plaza
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
520 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-1824
2
Start:Capitol Building
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(890) review
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319-1001
3
Start:Iowa State Fairgrounds
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(882) review
For 11 days in August, it’s a fairground, but for the other 354 days of the year, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is home to auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows and more. See what’s happening this month at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
4
Start:Fitness Sports
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(9) review
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
5
Start:German American Heritage Center
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(84) review
712 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802-1410
6
Start:Freight House Farmers Market
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(75) review
421 W River Dr, Davenport, IA 52801-1136
7
Start:1 Hundred West
Davenport, Iowa·
4.0
(8) review
1 Hundred West, in Davenport, IA, is the leading bar and grille serving Davenport and surrounding areas. We offer craft cocktails and a supper club inspired menu, along with drink specials, nightly features, wings, burgers, beer, family-style chicken fry, ribs, signature drinks, all you can eat fish fry and much more. For your next meal, visit 1 Hundred West in Davenport.
8
Start:Endless Brews
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
We are a bottle shop & craft beer bar with 20 taps and over 300 select bottles and cans for carry-out.
9
Start:Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archive
Davenport, Iowa·
5.0
(8) review
129 N Main St Red Stone Building, Corner of Main and Second Streets, Davenport, IA 52801
10
Start:Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
327 Brady St, Davenport, IA 52801-1508
11
Start:Wrigley Field
Chicago, Illinois·
4.5
(9953) review
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs with Wrigley Field Tours. Built in 1914, this must-see Chicago attraction houses more than 100 years of history. New this year, fans can join us on a non-gameday Ivy Tour which includes the opportunity to take a photo in front of Wrigley Field’s historic ivy wall.
12
Start:Boystown
Chicago, Illinois·
4.5
(98) review
Located in Chicago's North Side, this vibrant neighborhood is known for its exciting nightlife and for being one of the largest LGBTQIA+ communities in the city. It's the host of the annual Chicago Pride Parade, and a must-see in the area is the Legacy Walk on Halsted Street, where you can learn about the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community while admiring the colorful street art and rainbow crosswalks. Check out the unique shops and then grab a bite at one of the area's delicious Thai or Mexican restaurants. At night, visit one of the neighborhood's bars to enjoy a drag show, concert, and tasty cocktail. Consider taking a food or walking tour of Chicago that stops by Boystown. – Tripadvisor
13
Start:The Chopping Block
Chicago, Illinois·
4.5
(98) review
The Chopping Block, Chicago's premiere recreational cooking school and gourmet retail store, offers demonstration and hands-on cooking classes, as well as wine classes, private cooking parties and corporate team building events. Classes at Lincoln Square cover subjects from cooking basics to intensive Boot Camps as well as seasonal, date nights, healthy and kids classes. We have a food-friendly wine selection so students can select beverages to pair with the menu of their class. Sorry, BYOB is not allowed.
14
Start:Museum Of Illusions Chicago
Chicago, Illinois·
4.5
(97) review
25 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602-1708
15
Start:Michigan Avenue Bridge
Chicago, Illinois·
4.5
(985) review
The view from the bridge is one of the best vistas the city has to offer.
16
Start:The 900 Shops Mall
Chicago, Illinois·
4.0
(96) review
900 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-1542
17
Start:Grant Park
Chicago, Illinois·
4.5
(933) review
Dedicated in 1844, this park covers 319 acres along Lake Michigan and is home to the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum and the Art Institute.
18
Start:Soldier Field
Chicago, Illinois·
4.0
(935) review
Venerable home field of the Chicago Bears football team.
19
Start:Brookwood Golf Club
Fort Wayne, Indiana·
4.0
(8) review
10304 Bluffton Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46809-3027
20
Start:Combat Ops Entertainment
Fort Wayne, Indiana·
5.0
(8) review
Combat Ops Entertainment is a 33,000+ square foot multi-attraction facility that is new, clean, modern and fun for the whole family! It offers over 10,000 square feet of mission-based laser tag arena, a 3500 square foot archery tag & NERF-style tag arena, 4 lanes of mini/duckpin bowling, 2 full-size axe throwing courts, a 3600 square foot arcade full of awesome prizes, an outdoor 9-hole mini golf course, a laser maze, and a Cafe that serves beer, pizza by the slice, burgers, chicken wings, and other favorite prepared snack foods. Our outdoor pavillion (1600 square feet) also features 4 outdoor axe throwing courts as well as other fun outdoor activities! We are an excellent venue for birthday parties, corporate groups & events, church groups, youth groups, team building, family outings, fundraisers, bachelor(ette) parties or any fun get together! Ready! Aim. Play!
21
Start:Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Fort Wayne, Indiana·
4.0
(85) review
At FWMoA, you will find exhibitions of American fine and decorative art ranging from the 19th century to contemporary art, including exhibitions exploring the cross-cultural connections between artwork and artists from diverse ethnic and national backgrounds. You also will find a lending library with over 8,000 art and culture volumes and periodicals for public use, a hands-on learning environment for young children, and a Print and Drawing Study Center available for first-hand study of our vast collection of works on paper. Additionally, the Paradigm Gallery gift shop features the art and fine craft of over 75 regional and national artists working in a variety of media.
22
Start:Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Fort Wayne, Indiana·
4.0
(99) review
4000 Parnell Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1414
23
Start:Lakeside Park & Rose Garden
Fort Wayne, Indiana·
4.5
(96) review
1401 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46805
24
Start:Kekionga Cider Company
Fort Wayne, Indiana·
4.5
(9) review
7328 Maysville Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46815-8116
CHECKLIST
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Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Des Moines and Fort Wayne?
The distance is 478 miles
What's the travel time between Des Moines and Fort Wayne?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 9h 25m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Des Moines and Fort Wayne?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Fort Wayne?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Fort Wayne
What’s the weather like in Fort Wayne?
The weather in Fort Wayne is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Fort Wayne in January
Weather in Fort Wayne in February
Weather in Fort Wayne in March
Weather in Fort Wayne in April
Weather in Fort Wayne in May
Weather in Fort Wayne in June
Weather in Fort Wayne in July
Weather in Fort Wayne in August
Weather in Fort Wayne in September
Weather in Fort Wayne in October
Weather in Fort Wayne in November
Weather in Fort Wayne in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Fort Wayne?
Plan your dream Fort Wayne trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
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Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Des Moines?
We have a lot of great trip options for Des Moines! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you