Visitor FAQ

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

You may buy General Admission tickets online in advance or at the door. We recommend advance tickets for special events such as Family Halloween.

Is this a guided tour?

Guests visit on their own, at their own pace. While we do not have tour guides, you will meet historic interpreters at many of the sites you visit.

Where do we start?

You will begin at the Kemin Cultivation Center, where you decide whether to start by riding the tractor cart to our farm sites or by exploring the 1876 town of Walnut Hill. The farm sites are a one-way route beginning at the 1700 Ioway Farm, progressing through the 1850 Pioneer Farm, and ending at the 1900 Horse-Powered Farm, where you will catch the tractor cart back to the town. Last tractor cart leaves daily at 2:30.

Is the museum accessible?

Once you enter the museum grounds, all paths are boardwalk or dirt/gravel. None are paved.

To cut down on travel between farm sites, you can (a) request a Step Saver tour from your tractor driver, which eliminates the 3/10 mile woodland trail between the 1850 and 1900 farms, or (b) request to visit the 1900 farm only, which also eliminates the 1/10 mile dirt path hill between the 1700 and 1850 farms.

In town, visiting all the buildings involves a 3/4 mile loop of boardwalk and dirt/gravel path. All buildings have accessible entrances, although these are not always the front entrances. Please ask staff to point out the accessible entrance if needed. The one spot that is not accessible without climbing stairs is the second floor of the Flynn Mansion, which is on the National Historic Register and therefore does not meet ADA guidelines.

In addition to the modern restrooms indicated on our visitor guide map, there are modern restrooms at the 1900 Farm house and the Flynn Mansion. Please ask staff if you need access to these restrooms.

If you have questions about accessibility, feel free to email info@LHF.org or call 515-278-5286.

Download accessibility information

Can we bring our dog?

Living History Farms welcomes well-behaved dogs. They must remain on a standard length, non-retractable leash and must remain outside buildings and away from livestock.