This Chichaqua Wildlife Viewing Area is a part of the Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, but it’s a bit of a drive from the main parking. There is a separate parking lot off the highway that leads to the cool viewing deck with binoculars. The gravel trail then turns into a grass trail, looping much further past.
The Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden is tucked away in a little subdivision with a mature fruit orchard, native grasses, demonstration gardens along with herb, vegetable, and rose gardens. You can’t pick anything, but it is fun to explore as an adult or with kids! There are picnic tables, making it a great spot to pack a a lunch as well.
Brenton Arboretum is a true gem, acres of rolling hills and prairie, with a unique natural playscape that kids love to play on. They have a shelter with a “green roof” that is growing prairie on top as well, perfect for picnics.
Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden is where the Meredith Corporation experiments and photographs for its magazine. It’s only open to the public a small window each day, throughout the year, but is the perfect spot to explore downtown.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to experience nature indoors (and outdoors), with a variety of plants and gardens in their dome-shaped building. There are gardens outside as well, with short dirt paths to explore. Each time we have visited there has been at least one display with hands on materials for kids, and they love looking at the koi fish and all the different plants! It is a great place to play “I Spy” as well.
