5 days in Des Moines & Nebraska Itinerary

Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. Kick off your visit on the 17th (Fri): take a stroll around Des Moines Civic Center, then learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Blank Park Zoo, and then wander the streets of East Village. Keep things going the next day: take in nature's colorful creations at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, then get a sense of history and politics at Capitol Building, and then deepen your understanding at Iowa State University.

To find more things to do, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Des Moines road trip planner.

Philadelphia to Des Moines is an approximately 5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Philadelphia to Des Moines, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In February, Des Moines is little chillier than Philadelphia - with highs of 36°F and lows of 18°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Omaha.

A major transportation hub, Omaha was once considered little more than a stopping point on a pioneer's journey west.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Sun): explore the world behind art at Joslyn Art Museum, get engrossed in the history at The Durham Museum, then shop like a local with Old Market, and finally look for gifts at Old Market Candy Shop. On the 20th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, try your luck at Horseshoe Council Bluffs, and then snap pictures at Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Omaha trip itinerary planning site.

Traveling by car from Des Moines to Omaha takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In February, plan for daily highs up to 38°F, and evening lows to 18°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) to allow time to fly back home.