Things to Do in Waukee

While touring the country in an RV, Chris and Jamie Rademacher hatched the idea to open a campground. Despite being newcomers to the business, they're off to a pretty good start—their Des Moines West KOA was recently awarded a 2011 KOA President's Award for exceptional quality and guest service. Set on rolling farmland 1.5 miles north of I-80 exit 106, the well-groomed grounds are convenient to the interstate but secluded enough to ensure peace and quiet. RV sites include full hookup and pull-through capability, and cabins allow families and groups to smooth out their experience of "roughing it" with amenities such as porch swings, working kitchens, and a staff of liveried deer to hold open their doors. During daytime hours, guests can tap into WiFi networks, cast a line into the nearby stocked fishing pond, or take a dip in the heated pool, open Memorial Day–Labor Day.

At Glazed Expressions, a large stock of pristine white pottery pieces awaits a painter's touch. Owner Laura Riegel and her knowledgeable team of artists encourage creativity during studio sessions, when visitors spend time designing and painting their own works of decorative art. Staff members offer advice on the best techniques for stenciling and daubing pieces such as vases, picture frames, and animal figurines. Alternatively, fused-glass projects meld shards into kaleidoscopic pendants or stained-glass windshield replacements. A BYOB policy enhances a festive atmosphere within the studio, where playful splashes of paint adorn the walls and the furniture is bright and colorful.

Like many other horseback-riding facilities, Louw Stables’ 50 acres of rolling hills, dotted with trees and lined by picket fences, paint a picturesque backdrop for warm-weather riding lessons. But it’s the way owners Louis and Jennifer Louw have prepared for the winter months—when snow generally blankets these pastures—that sets their facility apart from the rest. To accommodate riding year-round, they built an expansive indoor arena that, along with a 30-stall stable, is heated so that lessons and trainings can go on through winter without interruption.

Jennifer draws upon 22 years of experience as she teaches children and adults the art of horsemanship along with equine care. Her eight trained lesson horses are all steady-tempered and work with novice riders and advanced equestrians alike. She also oversees an open barn each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, during which students can help with chores around the stable, including brushing horses and ironing their saddles.

Blank Park Zoo educates the public about the wonders of the wild by re-creating far-flung habitats and ecosystems that house more than 1,000 animals and 104 different species ranging from Siberian tigers to hissing cockroaches. Zookeepers lead special behind-the-scenes tours of the indoor rainforest or the African barn to establish deeper connections between people and animals without forcing them to read each other's dream journals. Both of these exhibits include hands-on feedings that allow humans to go face-to-face or nose-to-beak with hungry giraffes and parakeets. Recent new arrivals welcome curious kids to commiserate with the growing pains and early bedtimes of young wallabies, camels, and seal pups, setting a foundation for learning that may be continued in classes designed for those aged 6 months to 5 years.

In addition to raising awareness about the environment, Blank Park Zoo contributes to conservation efforts to preserve the future of native animals and their natural homes. The zoo participates in seven endangered-species breeding programs and donates a portion of admissions proceeds to several different wildlife initiatives.