Your Complete Guide to Ankeny, Iowa
Just north of Des Moines, Ankeny has transformed from a quiet bedroom community into one of Iowa's most dynamic suburbs. With its award-winning schools, thriving restaurant scene, and genuine small-town feel despite rapid growth, Ankeny offers the perfect blend of suburban convenience and community character. Whether you're exploring the trails at Prairie Ridge or grabbing dinner in Uptown, here's your insider guide.
Top Picks in Ankeny
High Life Lounge
This Uptown Ankeny institution serves elevated comfort food in a stylish-yet-approachable atmosphere. The menu ranges from creative burgers to steaks, with an impressive craft cocktail program. The patio is one of Ankeny's best spots for warm-weather dining.
It's the rare suburban restaurant that feels genuinely sophisticated without being pretentious.
Happy hour runs Monday through Friday with excellent drink specials and half-price appetizers.
Prairie Trail
This 3.4-mile paved trail connects Prairie Ridge Sports Complex to Ankeny's northern neighborhoods, offering scenic views of wetlands and prairie restoration areas. It's popular with runners, cyclists, and families year-round. The trail connects to the larger regional trail system.
It's beautifully maintained and offers genuine nature experiences despite being in a growing suburb.
Park at Prairie Ridge Sports Complex for easiest access and restroom facilities.
Firetrucker Brewery
Ankeny's hometown brewery occupies a converted fire station and serves creative craft beers alongside wood-fired pizzas. The atmosphere is family-friendly during the day and transitions to a lively hangout in the evenings. Outdoor seating available in season.
The beer quality rivals anything in downtown Des Moines, and the pizza is legitimately excellent.
Try the rotating sour beers if you're into that style—they're consistently well-executed.
Uptown Ankeny Shopping District
The heart of old Ankeny features locally-owned boutiques, restaurants, and services along SW 3rd Street. It's walkable, charming, and hosts regular community events including the popular farmers market. Spring brings outdoor dining and weekend foot traffic.
It maintains authentic small-town character while offering genuinely interesting shops and dining.
The Ankeny Market & Pavilion runs Saturday mornings May through October—arrive early for best selection.
Otter Creek Golf Course
This well-maintained public course offers 18 holes with rolling terrain and water features. It's accessible for average golfers while still providing challenges for better players. The clubhouse has a casual restaurant with surprisingly good food.
It's one of the best-value public courses in the Des Moines metro with excellent spring conditions.
Book tee times online early in the week for weekend play—it fills up fast in spring.
Ankeny Art Center
Located in a historic building in Uptown, this community art center offers rotating exhibitions, classes, and workshops for all ages. The gallery features work from local and regional artists. Spring brings outdoor sculpture installations.
It's a genuine cultural asset that punches above its weight for a suburb of Ankeny's size.
First Friday art walks feature artist receptions and often include live music and refreshments.
Mexican restaurants along Delaware Avenue
The stretch of Delaware Avenue near Ankeny's southeast side has become the go-to corridor for authentic Mexican cuisine. Multiple family-owned taquerias and restaurants serve everything from street tacos to regional specialties. Most are counter-service or casual dining.
You'll find some of the most authentic and affordable Mexican food in the entire Des Moines metro.
Don't skip the weekend specials—many places serve menudo, barbacoa, and other traditional dishes on Saturdays and Sundays.
Prairie Ridge Sports Complex
This massive facility includes baseball and softball diamonds, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, and a playground. It hosts youth tournaments spring through fall and is a hub for Ankeny's active families. The complex connects to the Prairie Trail system.
It's one of the best-equipped public sports facilities in central Iowa with excellent maintenance.
The playground area has shade structures and is less crowded on weekday mornings.
Insider Tips for Ankeny
Parking in Uptown Ankeny is free and plentiful—use the public lots behind the businesses on SW 3rd Street rather than circling for street parking.
Ankeny's restaurant scene gets surprisingly busy on weekends. Make reservations for popular spots like High Life Lounge, or plan to eat earlier (before 6pm) or later (after 8pm) to avoid waits.
The Ankeny Community School District calendar drives traffic patterns—expect heavier congestion on Delaware Avenue and Oralabor Road during school drop-off (7:30-8:15am) and pick-up (2:30-3:30pm) times.
Spring storms can be severe in Ankeny. Download a weather app with radar and know that the city has tornado sirens tested at 10am on the first Wednesday of each month from March through November.
The Casey's General Store on North Ankeny Boulevard (near I-35) is a convenient stop for gas and snacks, but the newer Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh on SE Delaware offers better food options if you're grabbing something quick.
Most Ankeny trails and parks are maintained by the city and are genuinely well-kept. The trail system connects to regional trails that can take you all the way to downtown Des Moines if you're ambitious.
Common Questions About Ankeny
About Ankeny
Ankeny has experienced explosive growth over the past two decades, transforming from a town of 27,000 in 2000 to over 70,000 today. Despite this rapid expansion, it has maintained a genuine sense of community, particularly in Uptown Ankeny where the historic downtown core preserves small-town character. The city is decidedly car-dependent—you'll need wheels to get around—but the extensive trail system offers excellent recreational opportunities. Parking is abundant and free throughout the city. What makes Ankeny unique is its balance: award-winning schools attract young families, while the growing restaurant and retail scene keeps residents from constantly driving to Des Moines. North Ankeny feels like typical suburban sprawl, but Uptown retains authentic charm with locally-owned businesses and community events. Spring brings the farmers market, outdoor dining, and active trails. It's not walkable like an urban neighborhood, but it's one of the most livable suburbs in the Des Moines metro.