Hungry for Adventurez

I love supporting local small businesses as much as possible, but sometimes during a trip, your wallet just needs a break. This is doubly true if you have a whole family to entertain! Here are 10 free activities you can do in the Des Moines metro area, sorted by type.  If you want more information on free or low-budget activities in Iowa, check out my article about Waterloo-Cedar Falls and Dubuque .  Free Markets in Des Moines Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market The Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market is truly a gem! Experience city blocks of food and art vendors, live music, and good old Saturday morning fun! The best part, is you don't have to buy anything to enjoy the vibes.  Learn more here .  Live Music and Farmers Market in Valley Junction Not in town on a Saturday? No problem! The Neighborhood of Valley Junction, west of downtown Des Moines, has a bustling Thursday market on summer evenings, featuring a rotating selection of live music of all genres.  ...

  A few weeks ago I went campaigning at Elk Rock State Park in central Iowa. This beautiful park is located on Red Rock Lake near Pella and Knoxville, Iowa. Let's break down what camping here is like, and who would have the most fun camping here.  What are the campsites like at Elk Rock State Park? How do I get a campsite?  These campsites are very different depending on what loop you pick! All campsites have a firepit and picnic table. There are electric and non-electric sites. If your site does not come with water, each loop also has a drinking water pump. We took a spot in the furthest loop into the campground (non-electric), which happened to have a lake view, but was further away from the bathrooms. There is also an equestrian section, where riders can camp with their horses. Our camping area didn't have a lot of tree cover, so I could see it getting quite hot during late summer. We found the campground to be very peaceful and quiet. That being said, our loop w...

  I just came back from my second annual trip to see the tulips in Pella, Iowa. If you have never been to this adorable Dutch inspired city, it is definitely worth the road trip; here’s why! Why Should I Visit Pella For Tulip Time?  Pella is a unique community that was founded by a group of Dutch immigrants in the mid 1800s. The city of Pella has retained so much of that authentic Dutch culture and “flavor”. In fact, I would say it's about as close as you can get to the feeling of being in Europe while still being in Iowa. From the dutch themed shops, to local heritage groups, to the dutch inspired architecture, it’s everywhere! Pella also carries on the Dutch tradition of Tulip Time, a springtime festival marked by hundreds and hundreds of colorful tulips!  Tulip Time in Pella is a really great weekend trip because it offers something for everyone. It can be as active or relaxed as you want the trip to be. Furthermore, It really is one of the most unique and quintessent...

  Waterloo is my current home-base, and it has far more to do that guests outside the state would assume. We have museums, outdoor recreation, and even an amusement park. Since I am a budget minded traveler, I thought I would make a list of some of my favorites. I will be keeping this list family friendly, but there is also a casino in Waterloo and many bars in the area, if that is your style.  Free or Pay-What-You-Like Farmers markets - Free to look, buy what you need Cedar Falls and Waterloo both have very enjoyable farmers markets with great seasonal selections. I most often go to the river expo location, known as the Waterloo Urban Farmers market , in downtown Waterloo. Historically this location has some great crepes, veggies, baked goods and honey. In Cedar Falls, the most popular locations are Overman park and College hill.  Hiking Hartman Nature Preserve - Free This park is great for adult hikers, and for families with kids! In addition to beautifully maintained ...

  I love whimsical places places that pretend to be somewhere else. It’s part of what got me into following the theme park industry as a hobby. Whether it is a festival celebrating a time and place that never technically existed, or cute little immigrant towns imitating the architecture of their homeland, I love a little whimsy! Here are some of my top picks for destinations you should consider if you live in the Midwest and are craving a little bit of extra whimsy in your life. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival    The most whimsical time to go: Any time its open! Minnesota loves big fairs and festivals. Minnesota is home to the most attended state fair, many impressive county fairs, but most importantly, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. It is one of the largest in the country, and well loved by locals and guests alike. It's a place I love visiting because it perfectly transports me to this semi historical, semi-fairy tail dimension. If that's not whimsical, I don't ...

  Photo from Lost Island's website The answer is - it depends! How often do you plan on going? How long can a fixed number of attractions keep you entertained? Do you also plan on going to the Lost Island Waterpark? Let's break down who should be using a day pass versus who would benefit from a season pass. This is the first year that season passes will be available, and a season pass might be worth serious consideration for some adventurers.   What does a Lost Island Themepark day pass cost? According to the Lost Island Theme Park's website , day passes will be $43.00 - $48.00 for the 2023 season. Exact prices will depend on the date you choose. Passes must be purchased for a specific day online, or day off at the front gate. Don’t forget that the Theme Park charges for parking, unlike the Waterpark.  How much does a Lost Island Themepark season pass cost?  Multiple season passes are available depending on what perks you want. The most basic pass costs $200 pl...

  I’m not going to lie, this year winter hit me like a truck. For the time being, I live in Iowa, which experiences all four seasons. I drive a Prius, which doesn’t handle snow well due to its size and front wheel drive. I’m not historically a winter sports enthusiast, and I don’t like being cold. I also work full time, which means that during November through January when days are shorter, I spend almost all of daylight hours working in an office. I chose all of those aspects of my life, because right now, there are a lot of benefits. However, this year I really learned that for my mental health, I need to make sure I get out and adventure during the winter the best I can. Here are 5 strategies I use to hold over my hunger for adventure during the cold, dark, winter.  1. Use lunch breaks wisely during the winter If the best sunshine and warmest hours happen while you are at work, take advantage of your lunch break to get some vitamin D. I like to eat my lunch while working, ...

I wouldn’t call myself a travel expert; I’m too young, and don’t have a lot of experience with long distance travel as an adult. That being said, I am pretty good at getting a good time out of almost no money. I get my cheap thrills as a weekend warrior, getting all my cabin fever out with short trips while still saving the same amount of money and PTO for the occasional big trip. Here are my biggest tips for getting more adventure without increasing your travel budget.  Travel Regionally Travel doesn’t have to mean coast to coast flights. In fact it doesn’t have to include flights at all! Take a look at areas that you can drive to in a few hours. Chances are, there is a city, national park, or state park you haven’t explored yet. Every time you get that wanderlust, look up activities in these new places. When I do this, I limit my transportation expenses to a tank of gas or two. With my Prius that’s just $30 per tank, the equivalent of two movie tickets and a snack at the theater....