Road trip from Des Moines to Waco
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Concerts & Shows
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Nature & Parks
Fun & Games
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Water & Amusement Parks
Museums
Outdoor Activities
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ITINERARY
14h 39m828 miles19 stops
1
Brenton Skating Plaza
2
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.
3
Line Creek Trail
4
Howl at the Moon Kansas City
Howl at the Moon Kansas City is the hottest spot in the Power and Light District! Our high-energy dueling pianos and amazing events make us the coolest spot for Kansas City nightlife! From company functions to happy hour with friends to bachelorette parties in Kansas City, the party is always at Howl at the Moon come and see us.
5
Game Show Battle Rooms
You're IN the Game Show! Game Show Battle Rooms is one of the nation's only immersive game show experiences for everyone to enjoy. Face-off against your friends, family, or coworkers in our custom arenas playing classic game shows! All hosted by our entertaining and engaging hosts. Perfect for your next birthday party, friend or family outing, or your next corporate team-building event!
6
Kaw River Rustics
7
Blaisdell Family Aquatic Center
8
Entrap Games
Entrap Games is a new kind of entertainment game for adults that have become wildly popular across the United States. You and your teammates have 60 minutes to work together to solve your way through a series of puzzling steps, which yield a key or code necessary in escaping the room. It’s a fully immersive, exhilarating experience.
9
Nifty Nut House
10
Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center
Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center is a full service performing arts and convention center, providing citizens and visitors with a diverse selection of entertainment and meeting opportunities. The ensuing mission of Century II is to provide an economic benefit to Wichita through its use as a performing arts and convention center. The facility is owned and managed by the City of Wichita and is unique among other municipal facilities. This uniqueness is due to its dramatic architectural style, the nature of the business, the vast number of services provided, the diversity of clients, its importance to the downtown area, and the economic impact it has on the community. Century II strives to provide the highest quality of customer service that includes a clean and safe venue for private and public gatherings, encompassing the performing arts, conventions, trade shows, banquets, meetings, public exhibits, religious programs and special events.
11
Topgolf Oklahoma City
Topgolf is the emerging global leader in golf entertainment. Players hit golf balls containing computer microchips that track each shot’s accuracy and distance while also awarding points for hitting targets on the outfield. Topgolf offers an upscale, laid-back experience that features climate-controlled hitting bays and an impressive food and beverage menu crafted by our executive chef.
12
Brickopolis
13
Myriad Botanical Gardens
Myriad Botanical Gardens is one of Oklahoma City’s most beloved public spaces, offering its visitors a 15 acre natural escape in the heart of downtown. A half-acre children’s garden, an off-leash dog park, splash fountains, and paths for walking and jogging provide guests young and old with a place to seek solitude with nature, or seek community and the company of others. The Gardens offers a variety of horticultural education programs for adults and children. The centerpiece attraction of the Gardens is the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory. Its unique design has earned attention and praise in the architectural community. It is 224 feet long, 70 feet in diameter, and is covered by 3,028 sections of translucent, double-layered acrylic panels. After an 18-month, $11 million renovation, it reopened to the public on November 18, 2022.
14
PanIQ Room Dallas
15
Central Market
16
Casa Manana Theater
The historic Casa Manana Theatre is the largest Broadway and Children's Theatre in Fort Worth. Casa Manana also offers premiere theatre training in musical theatre, dance and voice.
17
Waco Hippodrome Theatre
The Historic Waco Hippodrome Theatre is back! Come enjoy delicious food and refreshing drinks as you sit back, relax, and watch your favorite films, live music, and performing arts. First opening on February 7, 1914, The Waco Hippodrome Theatre is a landmark in entertainment for the Waco community. After some tender-loving renovations, the Waco Hippodrome Theatre is open and busier than ever! Our dining room and bar/lounge area are open Mon-Fri for lunch and dinner, and we open at 10:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays to serve the best brunch in Downtown Waco.
18
The Texas Collection
Established in 1923, The Texas Collection is a special library, archival research center, and the University Archive that collects, preserves, and provides access to materials documenting the history, heritage and culture of Texas for the Baylor community and the public.
19
Little Shop on Bosque
The Little Shop on Bosque is the original home of Magnolia Market and offers last chance and slightly damaged items at a discount. The shop is stocked with everything from florals to vases, apparel to gifts, and so much more. *Please note that all sales at our Little Shop on Bosque are final. You cannot receive a replacement or refund on any sales.
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
1
Start:Brenton Skating Plaza
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
520 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-1824
2
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.
3
Start:Line Creek Trail
Kansas City, Missouri·
5.0
(9) review
2699 NW 60th St, Kansas City, MO 64151
4
Start:Howl at the Moon Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri·
4.5
(96) review
Howl at the Moon Kansas City is the hottest spot in the Power and Light District! Our high-energy dueling pianos and amazing events make us the coolest spot for Kansas City nightlife! From company functions to happy hour with friends to bachelorette parties in Kansas City, the party is always at Howl at the Moon come and see us.
5
Start:Game Show Battle Rooms
Overland Park, Kansas·
4.5
(9) review
You're IN the Game Show! Game Show Battle Rooms is one of the nation's only immersive game show experiences for everyone to enjoy. Face-off against your friends, family, or coworkers in our custom arenas playing classic game shows! All hosted by our entertaining and engaging hosts. Perfect for your next birthday party, friend or family outing, or your next corporate team-building event!
6
Start:Kaw River Rustics
Topeka, Kansas·
4.5
(9) review
901 N Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608-1212
7
Start:Blaisdell Family Aquatic Center
Topeka, Kansas·
4.5
(8) review
SW Westlake Ct., Topeka, KS 66606
8
Start:Entrap Games
Wichita, Kansas·
4.5
(93) review
Entrap Games is a new kind of entertainment game for adults that have become wildly popular across the United States. You and your teammates have 60 minutes to work together to solve your way through a series of puzzling steps, which yield a key or code necessary in escaping the room. It’s a fully immersive, exhilarating experience.
9
Start:Nifty Nut House
Wichita, Kansas·
5.0
(911) review
537 N Saint Francis St, Wichita, KS 67214-3898
10
Start:Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center
Wichita, Kansas·
4.0
(93) review
Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center is a full service performing arts and convention center, providing citizens and visitors with a diverse selection of entertainment and meeting opportunities. The ensuing mission of Century II is to provide an economic benefit to Wichita through its use as a performing arts and convention center. The facility is owned and managed by the City of Wichita and is unique among other municipal facilities. This uniqueness is due to its dramatic architectural style, the nature of the business, the vast number of services provided, the diversity of clients, its importance to the downtown area, and the economic impact it has on the community. Century II strives to provide the highest quality of customer service that includes a clean and safe venue for private and public gatherings, encompassing the performing arts, conventions, trade shows, banquets, meetings, public exhibits, religious programs and special events.
11
Start:Topgolf Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma·
4.5
(92) review
Topgolf is the emerging global leader in golf entertainment. Players hit golf balls containing computer microchips that track each shot’s accuracy and distance while also awarding points for hitting targets on the outfield. Topgolf offers an upscale, laid-back experience that features climate-controlled hitting bays and an impressive food and beverage menu crafted by our executive chef.
12
Start:Brickopolis
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma·
4.0
(96) review
101 S Mickey Mantle Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73104-2480
13
Start:Myriad Botanical Gardens
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma·
4.5
(979) review
Myriad Botanical Gardens is one of Oklahoma City’s most beloved public spaces, offering its visitors a 15 acre natural escape in the heart of downtown. A half-acre children’s garden, an off-leash dog park, splash fountains, and paths for walking and jogging provide guests young and old with a place to seek solitude with nature, or seek community and the company of others. The Gardens offers a variety of horticultural education programs for adults and children. The centerpiece attraction of the Gardens is the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory. Its unique design has earned attention and praise in the architectural community. It is 224 feet long, 70 feet in diameter, and is covered by 3,028 sections of translucent, double-layered acrylic panels. After an 18-month, $11 million renovation, it reopened to the public on November 18, 2022.
14
Start:PanIQ Room Dallas
Dallas, Texas·
4.5
(99) review
5302 Belt Line Rd, Dallas, TX 75254-7606
15
Start:Central Market
Dallas, Texas·
4.5
(99) review
5750 E Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75206-2921
16
Start:Casa Manana Theater
Fort Worth, Texas·
4.5
(96) review
The historic Casa Manana Theatre is the largest Broadway and Children's Theatre in Fort Worth. Casa Manana also offers premiere theatre training in musical theatre, dance and voice.
17
Start:Waco Hippodrome Theatre
Waco, Texas·
4.0
(92) review
The Historic Waco Hippodrome Theatre is back! Come enjoy delicious food and refreshing drinks as you sit back, relax, and watch your favorite films, live music, and performing arts. First opening on February 7, 1914, The Waco Hippodrome Theatre is a landmark in entertainment for the Waco community. After some tender-loving renovations, the Waco Hippodrome Theatre is open and busier than ever! Our dining room and bar/lounge area are open Mon-Fri for lunch and dinner, and we open at 10:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays to serve the best brunch in Downtown Waco.
18
Start:The Texas Collection
Waco, Texas·
5.0
(9) review
Established in 1923, The Texas Collection is a special library, archival research center, and the University Archive that collects, preserves, and provides access to materials documenting the history, heritage and culture of Texas for the Baylor community and the public.
19
Start:Little Shop on Bosque
Waco, Texas·
3.5
(93) review
The Little Shop on Bosque is the original home of Magnolia Market and offers last chance and slightly damaged items at a discount. The shop is stocked with everything from florals to vases, apparel to gifts, and so much more. *Please note that all sales at our Little Shop on Bosque are final. You cannot receive a replacement or refund on any sales.
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 Waco?
The distance is 828 miles
What's the travel time between Des Moines and Waco?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 14h 39m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Des Moines and Waco?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Waco?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Waco
What’s the weather like in Waco?
The weather in Waco is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Waco in January
Weather in Waco in February
Weather in Waco in March
Weather in Waco in April
Weather in Waco in May
Weather in Waco in June
Weather in Waco in July
Weather in Waco in August
Weather in Waco in September
Weather in Waco in October
Weather in Waco in November
Weather in Waco in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Waco?
Plan your dream Waco trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Waco
A 2-day itinerary in Waco
A 3-day itinerary in Waco
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A 5-day itinerary in Waco
A 6-day itinerary in Waco
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