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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Ankeny
One day is enough for Ankeny: see the theater, a golf course, and the downtown park, then return to Des Moines.
Ankeny is a small suburb of Des Moines, about 20 km north. Its attractions are clustered near downtown, so a half‑day to full‑day visit covers the main sights. Most travellers stay in Des Moines and use a car or commuter bus for the round‑trip.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- May–Oct (warm, low snow)
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (cold, snow)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $50–$80 excl. accommodation · Mid $80–$120 excl. accommodation · High $120+ excl. accommodation (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | $2–$4 |
| Fast‑food combo | $6–$9 |
| Round‑trip car rental | $45–$70 |
| DART commuter bus | $5 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DSM · Des Moines International Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Des Moines ↔ Ankeny (car)
- ≈ $45 for a compact rental, 20‑30 min drive (check)
- DART commuter bus
- $5 each way
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is fastest (I‑35 exit 90/92). A commuter bus links Ankeny to Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) park‑and‑ride stops.
See and do
Known for
- Ankeny Community Theater
- Briarwood Golf Course
- Mid‑Iowa Band Championship
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | Car via I‑35, about 20 km (12 mi), 20‑30 minCar via I‑35, about 12 mi (20 km), 20‑30 min | ≈30 min round‑trip |
Sleep
- Des Moines
- Closest city with hotels; 20 km (12 mi) south, 20‑30 min drive.Closest city with hotels; 12 mi (20 km) south, 20‑30 min drive.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Thank you | Thank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it? |
| Where is the restroom? | Where is the restroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Winter snow can delay road travel; check local forecasts.
- Limited dining options; plan meals in Des Moines if arriving late.
Ankeny is a low‑crime suburb; typical U.S. safety precautions apply.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ankeny yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Ankeny Community Theater
- Briarwood Golf Course
- Mid‑Iowa Band Championship
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Ankeny, revision 5204052 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5204052
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Ankeny
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
US citizens need no visa; see /united-states/visa-requirements for details.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/ankeny). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.