What is Living History Farms?
Founded in 1970, we are a 500-acre, outdoor museum that recreates history and lifestyles in four time periods – the 1700 Ioway Indians, the 1850 pioneers, the townspeople of 1875 and 1900 farmers. Historical interpreters dressed in period clothing complete the daily routines of each time period – caring for animals, cooking, blacksmithing, gardening, and much more. The story of 20th century agriculture is explored through an exhibit of crops, displays and interactive activities.
Living History Farms is open Wednesday-Sunday through October 15th. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday noon to 5 pm. Please note, we will be closed Labor Day.
Is Living History Farms a good place to bring children?
Absolutely! Children love Living History Farms. They enjoy seeing the Indian lodge, animals at the farm sites, riding the tractor cart, walking the trails and seeing and touching history in all of our museum buildings. They enjoy helping our interpreters recreate the daily routines of the past.
What is the admission?
$11.50 for Adults (ages 13-59)
$10.50 for Senior Citizens (starting at age 60)
$7.00 for Children (ages 3-12)
Children aged 2 and younger are admitted at no charge
Living History Farms Members are admitted FREE
Memberships can be purchased at the Ticketing Booth when you arrive or ordered through the Administration Office during weekday business hours. Click here for more information.
What does my admission include?
One admission price includes all activities at Living History Farms. This includes the tractor cart rides from the east to the west sides of our property. Parking is always free.
What are your hours?
We are open Wednesday-Sunday until October 15, 9 am to 5 pm, Wednesday-Saturday and Noon to 5 pm on Sundays.
You should arrive by 3 pm in order to see the entire museum - the last tractor cart out to the west side farm sites leaves at 3 pm. The last person admitted is at 4 pm. All sites and grounds close at 5 pm.
Are there places to eat at the Farms?
We have vending machines and Rosie’s Café on site featuring sandwiches, individual pizzas, hot dogs, ice cream and candy. You are also welcome to bring your own picnic lunch and enjoy it in our shelter or on the lawn. You may also leave the museum for lunch and return to complete your visit.
Do you rent wheelchairs and children's wagons?
We have wheelchairs available for our guests’ use at no extra charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. Please reserve one the day before you plan to visit by calling the Administration Office at 515-278-5286.
Child-sized wagons can be rented for $4 per day, on a first-come, first served basis.
Are you wheelchair accessible?
We strongly recommend that anyone with any issues of accessibility have one or more adults to assist him or her. People with mobility limitations are welcome to:
- Take the “Town-Only Tour” (1875 Walnut Hill) In our 1875 town most sites are wheelchair accessible with boardwalks, ramps, wide doorways and low thresholds. Access to the first floor of the Flynn House is available through the east side kitchen door. There are photos available of the second floor.
- Due to rugged terrain on the west side of the Farms, you can take the open air ramped tractor carts to tour the 1700 Ioway Indian Farm and go back up the trail to the tractor cart and go to the 1900 Farm and Wallace Exhibit Center. The 1850 Pioneer Farm is not accessible due to the steep terrain.
- Tell the tractor cart driver you want the “Step-Saver” tour which takes you to the 1900 Farm and picks you up at the Wallace Exhibit Center.
What should I wear?
Dress comfortably for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Where do I start my tour?
Your journey begins at our ticket booth, which is located in our Visitor Center at 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, Iowa. We recommend if you are touring both the Farm sites and the Town sites, that you begin with the Farm sites. Board a tractor cart (included with admission price) which will take you on short 10-minute ride under the interstate, through a tunnel to the west side of our property. It will drop you off in a wooded area and you’ll walk the beautiful nature trail to the Farm sites. There are benches along the way to sit if you need to rest. When you are done touring the west side, the tractor cart will take you back to the 1875 town on the east side.
How long does it take to tour?
It’s really up to you – tours are self-guided and at your own pace. Some people stay an hour and some stay all day.
In Two Hours...
In two hours, you can tour the 1875 Town of Walnut Hill. Stroll down the boardwalk and visit over fourteen shops and homes reminiscent of 1870s Iowa. Visit the Tangen Home to see how a middle-class family would have worked and lived. Chat with our tradespeople at the Broom Shop, Blacksmith, Millinery, Print Shop, and Cabinet Maker. Shop for historic types of candy at the General Store and visit the Flynn Home and Barn. Relax in the shade at Rosie’s Cafe and enjoy ice cream from Picket Fence Creamery.
In Three or More Hours...
In three or more hours, you can tour our entire museum. Start with a tractor cart ride to the 1700 Ioway Farm and learn about Iowa’s earliest farmers. Stroll along the wooded pathways to the 1850 Pioneer Farm and tour the log house and barn. Continue traveling through time as you tour the 1900 Farm and discover the modernization of agriculture at the Wallace Exhibit Center. Take the tractor cart back to the 1875 Town of Walnut Hill for lunch at Rosie’s Café before touring the town at your own pace.
How often do the tractor carts run?
Our tractor carts run continuously throughout the day, picking up passengers approximately every 15 – 20 minutes at designated pickup points. The last tractor cart to the Farm sites leaves the Visitor Center at 3 pm.
Where are restrooms located?
Modern restrooms are available at the Visitor Center, behind Rosie’s Café, and the Wallace Exhibit Center. A portable toilet is available at the 1700 Farm tractor cart drop-off.
Are dogs welcome?
Service dogs are welcome in all sites. Dogs on standard (not retractable) leashes are also welcome, but must remain outside buildings and away from all livestock. Please clean up after your dog and bring your own pet waste bags.
Do you have a camping area?
No, but there is a KOA Campground Des Moines West in Adel, (515) 834-2729 and Timberline Campground is a Holiday Trav-l-Park located 10 minutes from LHF in Waukee, (515) 987-1714.
Do you have a hotel?
We do not own a hotel, but there are two beautiful hotels on the front of our property and the Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant. The Comfort Suites phone is 515-276-1126 and the Sleep Inn number is 515-270-2424. Both have indoor pools. They are all within walking distance of Living History Farms. For hotel/ticket packages, click here.
