Living History Farms
4.5(1.1K)google
3.8(16)yelp
HistoryLocal LifeInteractiveHands-OnFamilyEducational
Overview
Living History Farms is a 500-acre open-air museum located in Urbandale, Iowa, United States. The museum's mission is to educate and connect all peoples to the many stories of Midwestern rural heritage. As its name implies, the museum follows the methodology of living history in depicting the lives of people living on farms in the years of 1700, 1850, and 1900, engaging in various agricultural activities.
Practical Info
MonClosed
Tue9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
SunClosed
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeThe peak seasonal running season from May through October is optimal to explore this 500-acre living history museum. Entering at 9:00 AM sharp upon opening is highly recommended to budget 3 to 4 hours of trail walking; this early window lets you catch costumed historical interpreters performing vintage farming chores, blacksmithing, and heritage cooking before the midday heat sets in.
Getting ThereNestled in the western Des Moines suburb of Urbandale at 11121 Hickman Road. The driving route is incredibly straightforward: travel along the I-35/I-80 interstate loop, take Exit 125 for Hickman Rd/US-6, and head west for mere 500 meters to see the landmark wooden windmill on your left. The visitor center features a massive, complimentary open-air gravel and grass parking field.
Travel Tips
- This open-air 500-acre historic agricultural tract uses raw dirt trails between pioneer hubs; missing shade trees or awnings necessitates deploying high-SPF block and packing individual thermal flasks.
- The site operates on a rigid seasonal blueprint, closing its gates entirely from November through April due to brutal sub-zero freezing hazards; avoid executing driving trajectories out of season.
- Active, unshielded 19th-century forge fires run continuously inside the Blacksmith shop; preventing severe burn vectors requires keeping children within tight arm's reach past the threshold.
Reviews
Positive
- An incredible outdoor interactive history museum! It authentically recreates Iowa farm life across three eras; the historical depth matches the hype.
- Costumed interpreters, blacksmiths, and indigenous guides are incredibly friendly; their live crafting demonstrations are highly educational.
- The dirt paths are well-cleared, with clean restrooms located at each historic site. Admission is fair and general parking is completely free.
- Far from city noise, walking through open wheat fields and woodland trails offers genuine rustic peace; a great place for kids.
Heads up
- This is a purely outdoor long-distance walking site requiring 2–3 miles of trekking, with almost no modern paved accessible paths.
- The mid-summer sun bakes the unshaded open space, and due to livestock animals, flies and mosquitoes are rampant and annoying.
- During consecutive rainy days, the ground gets incredibly muddy and sticky, ruining shoes and forcing lower trails to close.
- The internal tractor-shuttle runs on limited schedules and seating; seniors and kids often face long waits on busy weekends.