passing through... (Des Moines, Davenport, Iowa City: living, restaurant, shop)

[jeffandjess]

we will be passing through on our way from Michigan to Wyoming for vacation. i am pretty sure we will be on I-80. We need some places right off the highway that are neat for a family with a 5 year old girl and 2 year old boy. Places to stop and eat, check out, explore, etc.

Thanks in advance
Jess,
Jeff, Lorelei, and Maddox

[Luke9686]

It's not right off I-80, but is off I-235 which is easy to get to from 80, the Anderson Erickson cows. It's a dairy company that has two huge cows out front. Kind of tacky, but the kids will like it. If you google "Anderson Erickson cows" it will come up.

[El Rhino]

Hmmm... There's world's largest truck stop somewhere in the vicinity of Iowa City. If you're not opposed to taking a little detour there's Pella, a quint Dutch-themed town as well as the John Wayne museum in Winterset (his birthplace) and the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn.

Iowa City is pretty cool. I guess the Quad Cities has some stuff that would be interesting for the kids, Des Moines as well.


Edit: "Lorelei" is one of my favorite Pogues songs, definitely a good name and interesting story behind it.

[CleJ]

I'd say, use Google Earth with the Panoramio layer switched on and scroll along your route!

[mrs_moby73]

I haven't been there yet, but you might want to check out the Living Hostory Farms in Urbandale (just west of Des Moines). Living History Farms; More Than You Remember! It's located just off of I-80--you can see the sign from the highway. I have heard great things about the place. You can find reviews for it online if you'd like to hear from someone who has been there. If you stay the night in DM, I would suggest the Hampton Inn at I-80 and Jordan Creek Parkway. We stayed there for several nights and were pleased with the accomodations. They have an indoor pool for the kids to run off some energy and they also do a complimentary, hot breakfast in the morning.

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

There's world's largest truck stop somewhere in the vicinity of Iowa City.

The Iowa 80 truck stop. But it's actually in the vicinity of Davenport, not Iowa City. It's just near a town called Walcott.

I've been there a few times and it's pretty neat actually. Wikipedia says it receives 5,000 visitors daily. Iowa 80 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[hdinia]

A really good place to eat in Des Moines is the Machine Shed. It's just off of I-80 on Hickman Road. Food is served "family style" with cole slaw, cottage cheese and depending on what you order the vegetable as well. You get more than enough really good food for the money! The wait staff all wear bib overalls! There is also a gift shop inside. There is also a pig statue out front that you can sit on!

[iowegian]

Originally Posted by hdinia

A really good place to eat in Des Moines is the Machine Shed. It's just off of I-80 on Hickman Road. Food is served "family style" with cole slaw, cottage cheese and depending on what you order the vegetable as well. You get more than enough really good food for the money! The wait staff all wear bib overalls! There is also a gift shop inside. There is also a pig statue out front that you can sit on!

There is also a Machine Shed in Davenport, I think it's the Northwest Blvd. exit.

If you stop to eat in Iowa City, I recommend the Hamburg Inn No. 2. (recently voted one of the 59 best breakfasts in the US! ) It's probably Iowa City's most iconic restaurant. It's an old diner which is famous for holding political rallies (it has autographs from former Presidents and numerous other politicians and celebrities all over the walls) and it just has really good food.

As far as family-friendly attractions go, I second Living History Farms in Des Moines. I don't know if your two-year-old will appreciate it but it is probably one of the better things for children to do in this state. I'm having a hard time thinking of other things that younger children would like.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by hdinia

A really good place to eat in Des Moines is the Machine Shed. It's just off of I-80 on Hickman Road. Food is served "family style" with cole slaw, cottage cheese and depending on what you order the vegetable as well. You get more than enough really good food for the money! The wait staff all wear bib overalls! There is also a gift shop inside. There is also a pig statue out front that you can sit on!

Machine Shed, backed hard. The only problem with this place and a road trip is I would not want to eat here and then expect to stay awake for very long. The portions are unbelievable. Restraint be damned, you will overeat.

Edit: When they bring out the bread, they usually have this pumpkin bread that comes with it. Nothing short of amazing.

[jeffandjess]

Thanks everyone!!! we are so excited for our trip, I just hope the kids don't stage a revolt LOL

My family was originally from Iowa (like 1940 and earlier) and I would like to find my great grandparents head stones to get rubbings for my kidlets scrapbooks.