Just east of Des Moines, Altoona is Iowa’s off-beat entertainment destination—with shopping, dining & more! Altoona is home to an amusement park, a movie theater, Outlets of Des Moines, recreation facilities, golf courses, an aquatic center, athletic complexes, charming restaurants and breweries, a casino & racetrack, and access to central Iowa's tremendous bike trails. Altoona has a suburban feel, which can be nice for families looking for more space than larger densely packed cities for the money and a good area to raise children.

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Check out two of the biggest destinations in Altoona, Adventureland Park and Prairie Meadows Casino and Racetrack & Hotel. With over 100 rides, shows and attractions, visitors of all ages can't get enough of this amusement park. And on hot summer days, Adventureland Bay is the place to be. Cool off at the wave pool, lazy river, or one of the five tube-slides. For a more relaxing pool day, rent a cabana and sit back with a refreshing drink from the Adventureland Bay bar.  Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel- Prairie Meadows is the premier destination for gaming and entertainment in the Midwest. With more than 85,000 square feet of casino action, we have every game you'll want to play this side of Vegas. Whether you enjoy the latest slot machine or your favorite table games, Prairie Meadows has everything you need to get your game on. Win place or show,there's nothing like the heart-pounding thrill of live racing on our one-mile racetrack. Join us for live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing June - October. It's pure excitement start to finish. Casino action, live horse racing, a variety of dining options and great entertainment are waiting for you at Prairie Meadows.