Windsor Heights IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Windsor Heights, Iowa.
1. Colby Park
HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
Colby Park is the heart of the Windsor Heights community, recently receiving a significant renovation. The park now features a new splash pad, an accessible playground, and a food area for families to enjoy. This iconic recreational space serves as a central gathering point for residents and visitors alike.
2. Law Museum Of Iowa
LEGAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Law Museum Of Iowa offers visitors a glimpse into the state's rich legal history and heritage. Exhibits showcase historical legal documents, artifacts, and information about Iowa's judicial system through the years. Visitors can learn about landmark cases and influential legal figures who shaped the state's laws.
3. Windsor Heights Lutheran Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
Windsor Heights Lutheran Church stands as one of the notable landmarks in the community. The church features distinctive architecture and serves as both a place of worship and community gathering. Visitors appreciate its historical significance to the Windsor Heights area.
4. Windsor Presbyterian Church
COMMUNITY FAITH CENTER
Windsor Presbyterian Church is recognized as a significant landmark in Windsor Heights. The church offers a welcoming environment for worship services and community events throughout the year. Its architecture and grounds contribute to the cultural landscape of the area.
5. Walnut Creek Church
MODERN WORSHIP SPACE
Walnut Creek Church provides a contemporary worship experience in Windsor Heights. The church offers various programs and services for community members of all ages. Its modern facilities serve as a gathering place for both religious services and community events.
6. Waveland Golf Course
HISTORIC MUNICIPAL COURSE
Waveland Golf Course, located just a mile outside Windsor Heights, is the oldest municipal golf course west of the Mississippi, built in 1901. The 18-hole course is built on wooded hillsides and features an incredible amount of slope that sets it apart from other courses. More than 40,000 rounds of golf are played annually at this popular course where players navigate challenging terrain amid beautiful surroundings.
7. Des Moines Art Center
FREE CONTEMPORARY MUSEUM
The Des Moines Art Center, just a short 3-mile drive from Windsor Heights, is considered one of the most underrated art museums in the country. This free museum showcases modern and contemporary art, including signature works from renowned artists like Georgia O'Keefe and Edward Hopper. Visitors can enjoy both the permanent collection and an impressive array of special exhibitions throughout the year.
8. Greenwood Park
URBAN NATURE RETREAT
Greenwood Park offers visitors a peaceful retreat within the Des Moines metropolitan area near Windsor Heights. The park features walking trails, natural areas, and the notable "Three Cairns" egg-shaped stone structure perfect for photos. Visitors can combine their park experience with a trip to the adjacent Rose Garden and Des Moines Art Center for a full day of outdoor and cultural activities.
9. Merle Hay Mall
SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION
Merle Hay Mall combines shopping, dining, and entertainment in one convenient location near Windsor Heights. With over 60 stores and restaurants, visitors can shop at popular retailers like Old Navy and Target or enjoy unique experiences such as SmashRoom Iowa and RockTop Boxing. The historic shopping center is undergoing redevelopment to include new attractions like CombatLive! Laser Tag and the Des Moines Buccaneers Arena.
10. Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
HISTORIC TRAIN ADVENTURES
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad offers scenic passenger excursions through Iowa's Des Moines River Valley on historic trains. Highlights include crossing a towering bridge over Bass Point Creek and themed rides like the Santa Express during holidays. Adjacent to the depot is the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, showcasing thousands of artifacts including dining car china and toy trains.
11. Iowa State Capitol
ARCHITECTURAL STATE LANDMARK
The Iowa State Capitol stands as an impressive architectural masterpiece with its distinctive golden dome visible from miles away. Visitors can tour the historic building to see the beautiful interior featuring marble staircases, elaborate woodwork, and impressive art collections. The Capitol grounds include monuments and memorials that add to the site's historical significance.
12. Iowa Events Center
PREMIER ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX
The Iowa Events Center serves as Des Moines' premier venue for concerts, sporting events, conventions, and other large gatherings. The complex includes Wells Fargo Arena, Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, and Hy-Vee Hall to accommodate a variety of event types and sizes. Visitors from Windsor Heights and surrounding areas enjoy easy access to nationally touring acts and major events throughout the year.
13. Robert D. Ray Asian Garden
TRANQUIL CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
The Robert D. Ray Asian Garden creates a peaceful oasis along the Des Moines River, honoring Iowa's humanitarian efforts and relationship with Asian nations. The garden features traditional Asian landscaping elements including a stone pagoda, bonsai-inspired plantings, and a serene reflecting pool. Visitors can enjoy the contemplative atmosphere while learning about cultural connections through interpretive displays.
14. Roseman Covered Bridge
HISTORIC WOODEN BRIDGE
Roseman Covered Bridge is a legendary historical structure featured in the novel and film "The Bridges of Madison County." Built in 1883, this 107-foot bridge spans the Middle River and represents one of the finest examples of covered bridge construction in the Midwest. Visitors can walk through the restored bridge and learn about its history and cultural significance through informational displays at the site.
15. Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge
PICTURESQUE HISTORICAL LANDMARK
The Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge stands as another remarkable covered bridge near the Windsor Heights area, now located in Winterset City Park. Originally built in 1870, the 79-foot span features a distinctive pitched roof and has been carefully preserved as part of Iowa's historical heritage. Visitors can appreciate the craftsmanship of this 19th-century structure while enjoying the surrounding park amenities.