Road trip from Des Moines to Peoria
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Outdoor Activities
Museums
Sights & Landmarks
Nightlife
Nature & Parks
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Spas & Wellness
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All Category
Outdoor Activities
Museums
Sights & Landmarks
Nightlife
Nature & Parks
Shopping
Spas & Wellness
Concerts & Shows
Fun & Games
Food & Drink
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ITINERARY
4h 50m262 miles27 stops
1
The Lift
2
4th Street
3
World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
The Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates - home of The World Food Prize - is a public museum, educational facility and a place of inspiration for all. This magnificently restored Beaux Arts space celebrates the spirit of giving, emphasizing the importance of global food security.
4
Brenton Skating Plaza
5
Capitol Building
6
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Open to visitors since September 2009, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 of the world's most celebrated artists. The 4.4 Acre park, located within a major crossroads of the urban grid, creates a pedestrian friendly entranceway to downtown Des Moines. This accessible setting, coupled with the skilled landscape design and caliber of the art, makes it unlike any other sculpture park in the United States. The Pappajohns' contribution of 28 works for the park is the most significant donation of artwork ever made to the Des Moines Art Center.
7
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.
8
Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
9
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.
10
Dragon's Lair Family Adventure Center
Immerse yourself in your favorite video game for real. Play classic games like capture the flag, defuse the bomb and VIP. To name a few of our ever growing selection of games. Test out our realistic weapons and wireless sensors. They will put you in the middle of the action. Come and experience the Lair.
11
German American Heritage Center
12
Freight House Farmers Market
13
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.
14
Endless Brews
We are a bottle shop & craft beer bar with 20 taps and over 300 select bottles and cans for carry-out.
15
Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archive
16
River Music Experience
17
Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra
18
Chocolate Manor
19
the Shopps at Grand Prairie
20
Nelson Chiropractic
21
Pettengill Morron House Museum
22
Forest Park Nature Center
A Peoria Park District facility, Forest Park serves as the doorway to more than 500 acres designated as part of the Illinois State Nature Preserve. The center provides visitors with more than seven miles of trails that lead through dense forest, along trickling stream beds, and over dramatic hillsides. The A-frame trail head features a small natural history museum, nature store, and a room dedicated to bird-watching. Trails and museum are free and open to the public. NO PETS ALLOWED!
23
Club Diesel
24
Caterpillar Visitors Center
The Caterpillar Visitors Center is a fascinating look at the company, the iron and the people making sustainable progress possible around the world. From the humble beginnings of the first tractor to the company's present-day leadership in building infrastructure and powering the planet — it's all right here on Peoria's beautiful riverfront. We invite you to experience Caterpillar like never before and plan your visit today.
25
Luthy Botanical Garden
Surround yourself with spectacular displays of spring blooming bulbs or the blazing color of autumn, the Garden offers a tranquil setting to enjoy the beauty of each passing season. Established in 1951, Luthy Botanical Garden encompasses five acres and offers over a dozen theme gardens, a Conservatory, a garden gift shop educational programming, numerous events, a rotating sculpture exhibit and magnificent floral displays.
26
Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum
The Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum provides children with the tools and inspiration they need to be explorers and creators of the world. We do this in part through understanding, supporting, and promoting play in the fullest sense of the word, one that includes imagination and creativity.
27
Peoria Zoo
The Peoria Zoo is home to over 100 species of animals from around the world. From giraffes and rhinoceros to spider monkeys and sea lions, the Zoo is the wildest family place in town. The Peoria Zoo is open year round. Our Education Department offers programs for ages 2 and up. These include Home School classes, Zoo Tots, Jungle Jamboree, summer Zoo Camp and Zoo Teens volunteer program. During summer months we offer Giraffe Feeding in Africa and Budgie Feeding in the Aussie Walk About. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, scheduled Keeper Chats take place every day. Our two biggest events are the Easter Egg Hunt and Howl-Zoo-Ween. We offer a variety of birthday parties and Zoo Snoozes. Our Zambezi River Lodge is available for corporate events, wedding receptions, and special celebrations.
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
1
Start:The Lift
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
222 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2206
2
Start:4th Street
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
4th Street, Des Moines, IA
3
Start:World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(81) review
The Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates - home of The World Food Prize - is a public museum, educational facility and a place of inspiration for all. This magnificently restored Beaux Arts space celebrates the spirit of giving, emphasizing the importance of global food security.
4
Start:Brenton Skating Plaza
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
520 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-1824
5
Start:Capitol Building
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(890) review
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319-1001
6
Start:Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(739) review
Open to visitors since September 2009, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 of the world's most celebrated artists. The 4.4 Acre park, located within a major crossroads of the urban grid, creates a pedestrian friendly entranceway to downtown Des Moines. This accessible setting, coupled with the skilled landscape design and caliber of the art, makes it unlike any other sculpture park in the United States. The Pappajohns' contribution of 28 works for the park is the most significant donation of artwork ever made to the Des Moines Art Center.
7
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.
8
Start:Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.0
(8) review
75 E Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315-5866
9
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.
10
Start:Dragon's Lair Family Adventure Center
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
Immerse yourself in your favorite video game for real. Play classic games like capture the flag, defuse the bomb and VIP. To name a few of our ever growing selection of games. Test out our realistic weapons and wireless sensors. They will put you in the middle of the action. Come and experience the Lair.
11
Start:German American Heritage Center
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(84) review
712 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802-1410
12
Start:Freight House Farmers Market
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(75) review
421 W River Dr, Davenport, IA 52801-1136
13
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.
14
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.
15
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
16
Start:River Music Experience
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(7) review
129 N Main St, Davenport, IA 52801-1808
17
Start:Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
327 Brady St, Davenport, IA 52801-1508
18
Start:Chocolate Manor
Davenport, Iowa·
5.0
(71) review
110 E 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801-1502
19
Start:the Shopps at Grand Prairie
Peoria, Illinois·
4.0
(6) review
5201 W War Memorial Dr Suite # 322, Peoria, IL 61615-9222
20
Start:Nelson Chiropractic
Peoria, Illinois·
5.0
(7) review
7800 N Sommer St 203, Peoria, IL 61615-1934
21
Start:Pettengill Morron House Museum
Peoria, Illinois·
4.5
(7) review
1212 W Moss Ave, Peoria, IL 61606-1736
22
Start:Forest Park Nature Center
Peoria, Illinois·
4.5
(79) review
A Peoria Park District facility, Forest Park serves as the doorway to more than 500 acres designated as part of the Illinois State Nature Preserve. The center provides visitors with more than seven miles of trails that lead through dense forest, along trickling stream beds, and over dramatic hillsides. The A-frame trail head features a small natural history museum, nature store, and a room dedicated to bird-watching. Trails and museum are free and open to the public. NO PETS ALLOWED!
23
Start:Club Diesel
Peoria, Illinois·
3.5
(4) review
629 Main St, Peoria, IL 61602-1015
24
Start:Caterpillar Visitors Center
Peoria, Illinois·
4.5
(456) review
The Caterpillar Visitors Center is a fascinating look at the company, the iron and the people making sustainable progress possible around the world. From the humble beginnings of the first tractor to the company's present-day leadership in building infrastructure and powering the planet — it's all right here on Peoria's beautiful riverfront. We invite you to experience Caterpillar like never before and plan your visit today.
25
Start:Luthy Botanical Garden
Peoria, Illinois·
4.0
(73) review
Surround yourself with spectacular displays of spring blooming bulbs or the blazing color of autumn, the Garden offers a tranquil setting to enjoy the beauty of each passing season. Established in 1951, Luthy Botanical Garden encompasses five acres and offers over a dozen theme gardens, a Conservatory, a garden gift shop educational programming, numerous events, a rotating sculpture exhibit and magnificent floral displays.
26
Start:Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum
Peoria, Illinois·
4.5
(84) review
The Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum provides children with the tools and inspiration they need to be explorers and creators of the world. We do this in part through understanding, supporting, and promoting play in the fullest sense of the word, one that includes imagination and creativity.
27
Start:Peoria Zoo
Peoria, Illinois·
4.0
(399) review
The Peoria Zoo is home to over 100 species of animals from around the world. From giraffes and rhinoceros to spider monkeys and sea lions, the Zoo is the wildest family place in town. The Peoria Zoo is open year round. Our Education Department offers programs for ages 2 and up. These include Home School classes, Zoo Tots, Jungle Jamboree, summer Zoo Camp and Zoo Teens volunteer program. During summer months we offer Giraffe Feeding in Africa and Budgie Feeding in the Aussie Walk About. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, scheduled Keeper Chats take place every day. Our two biggest events are the Easter Egg Hunt and Howl-Zoo-Ween. We offer a variety of birthday parties and Zoo Snoozes. Our Zambezi River Lodge is available for corporate events, wedding receptions, and special celebrations.
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
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
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Des Moines and Peoria?
The distance is 262 miles
What's the travel time between Des Moines and Peoria?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 4h 50m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Des Moines and Peoria?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Peoria?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Peoria
What’s the weather like in Peoria?
The weather in Peoria is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Peoria in January
Weather in Peoria in February
Weather in Peoria in March
Weather in Peoria in April
Weather in Peoria in May
Weather in Peoria in June
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Weather in Peoria in August
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Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Peoria?
Plan your dream Peoria 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