University Museum is one of five major natural history museums in Iowa and is part of the University of Northern Iowa. It offers a wide selection of exhibits, special events and youth programming focused on nature and culture and is free and open to the public.
Experience Iowa's agricultural history at this 500-acre site in Urbandale that offers interactive exhibits and full-scale replicas of homes and communities. Staff in period dress discuss their tasks with visitors.
Parking and public transportation to Living History Farms
Access the site from Interstate Highway 80/35, taking the Hickman Road exit and traveling east. Free parking is available on the grounds. No local transit routes stop by Living History Farms on a regular basis.
Best times to go to Living History Farms
Several seasonal activities highlight the location's yearly calendar, from holiday special events to weekends focused on harvest time, an old-fashioned Fourth of July, and more. Historic baseball games are often played during the warmer months. Check the schedule for other activities including pioneer weddings, farm-themed story times and day camps for the kids.
Admission to Living History Farms
The complex is open daily May through August. It is open Wednesday through Sunday the rest of the year. Expect to pay a little more than $10 for teens and adults, with children's prices just under $10. Discounts are available for seniors, AAA members and military personnel. Become a member and receive free admission. Groups tours are available with reservations.
Must see/do at Living History Farms
See how the Ioway Indians made pottery and tanned deer hides. The 1850s pioneer home and the 1900s farm show the evolution of farming practices over the decades. The late-1800s town of Walnut Hill features shops with craftsmen at work, a bank, newspaper office and more. Visitors are allowed to bring their own food and drink into the complex; refreshments are also available at two locations on the grounds.
Other places to visit near Living History Farms
Learn about Iowa's role in the Underground Railroad at the Jordan House in nearby West Des Moines. Go downtown to discover even more about Iowa's past at the State Capitol and Iowa State Historical Museum.
Insider tip for visitors to Living History Farms
While the pace slows from late fall into early spring, foodies may take advantage of special dinners hosted during those months. The multi-course meals feature authentic recipes and table settings at a Victorian mansion and a 1900s farmhouse.
Author's bio: Melanie Lageschulte is a freelance writer and editor. She is an Iowa native and has lived in Des Moines for 15 years.
