day trip
A Des Moines Family Day: Hands-On Science, Local Lunch, and a Garden Under Glass
A rainy forecast need not cancel a family day out. This Des Moines Saturday combines Science Center experiments, a local lunch, and tropical plants at the Botanical Garden. Allow six to seven hours for school-age kids and curious teens, with one short drive between venues.
A rainy forecast need not cancel a family day out. This Des Moines Saturday combines Science Center experiments, a local lunch, and tropical plants at the Botanical Garden. Allow six to seven hours for school-age kids and curious teens, with one short drive between venues.
At a glance
- Trip type: Day trip; One Great Day.
- Best for: Families with school-age children and teens.
- Area: Downtown Des Moines and the Botanical Garden campus.
- Time needed: 6–7 hours, excluding your drive into the city.
- Season: Year-round; especially useful on rainy or chilly Saturdays.
- Budget: Two paid attractions, lunch, and parking. At checked general rates, two adults ages 13–64 and two children ages 2–12 pay $118 total for both attractions before food and parking. Memberships and assistance programs may change that total.
- Driving: One main transfer; allow 20–30 minutes for driving, parking, and entry. This is a planning allowance, not a live navigation estimate.
- Access: SCI offers wheelchair access and sensory resources. Ask the Botanical Garden about your particular needs and current construction routing.
- Booking: Reserve SCI tickets ahead. Check both venues' calendars and Flora's current menu.
- Important date: SCI lists October 16–17, 2026 as closed. Choose another Saturday for this full itinerary.
- Last verified: October 2, 2026.
The Saturday itinerary
| Time | Stop | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m.–noon | Science Center of Iowa | Explore exhibits and choose any available programs; leave time for bathrooms before departure. |
| Noon–12:30 p.m. | Transfer | Drive to the Botanical Garden, park, and find Flora. |
| 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Flora Café | Have a seated lunch before its 2 p.m. closing. |
| 1:30–3 p.m. | Botanical Garden | Explore the conservatory and indoor displays; add outdoor gardens if weather suits. |
| 3–3:30 p.m. | Optional riverfront garden | Take a short daylight walk at the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden, or stay indoors instead. |
Start with questions you can test
Science Center of Iowa, at 401 West Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, gives this day its active beginning. Let each person choose an area to explore.
When Things Get Moving introduces physical science through hands-on experiences. Makers Studio offers experimenting and building, while Brick by Brick connects LEGO structures with engineering challenges. For teens, trying a design again after it fails can be more interesting than simply looking at a finished model. Ask: what would you change on the second attempt?
Check the day's program guide for demonstrations or planetarium opportunities; no particular show time is promised here. Three hours leaves room to investigate before lunch.
SCI's visitor information describes wheelchairs available for use and sensory backpacks at the box office, including noise-reducing headphones and fidget materials. Ask about them when you arrive if they would help your group.
Give lunch its own place in the day
Drive to 909 Robert D. Ray Drive for Flora Café, inside the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Its owners, Chef Suman and Dr. Cynthia Hoque, are also behind HoQ in the East Village. That local connection makes this a distinctive meal stop, while the shared location keeps the afternoon simple.
Flora lists Saturday lunch hours of 11 a.m.–2 p.m. A 12:30 arrival leaves a useful buffer. Browse the current menu before traveling, especially for selective eaters or dietary needs; do not assume a separate children's menu. During regular hours, you do not need garden admission if you remain only in the café and its patio. You will need attraction admission for the garden visit afterward.
Move from inventions to living things
After lunch, enter the Botanical Garden's conservatory and indoor gardens. A morning of testing ideas becomes an afternoon of noticing details.
Compare tropical leaves with cacti and succulents in the desert planting area. Challenge everyone to find a surprising leaf shape and explain their choice. Look rather than touch. Explore indoors in poor weather; outdoor areas are a bonus when conditions allow.
The garden's published Saturday hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Finish the paid visit before closing, then consider the nearby Robert D. Ray Asian Garden, listed as free daily from 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Skip that outdoor finish in heavy rain, ice, or strong wind.
Route, tickets, and a backup plan
Open the two-venue driving route. SCI has a paid ramp across from its entrance; follow posted registration instructions. Check the garden's construction updates for current entry guidance.
SCI admission is $20 for ages 13–64 and $15 for ages 2–12 or 65-plus; children under two are free. Children 12 and under must stay with someone aged 16 or older. Garden admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors 65-plus, and $10 for ages 2–12; children up to age one are free.
If SCI is closed or tickets unavailable, choose another day for the full science outing. You can still make a shorter garden-and-lunch visit. If Flora is unavailable, Exile Brewing Company at 1514 Walnut Street lists Saturday opening at 10 a.m.; check its current food menu and reserve if needed. That substitution adds driving and means adjusting the afternoon timing.
For another outing that fits your family's time and interests, browse our reader guides.
Directory details for this trip
Find location and visitor details for these stops. Check official sources for current hours, tickets and closures.
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