Day 5: Thursday, July 27 Des Moines to Tama-Toledo
- Theme Day: Military Appreciation Day
- Mileage: 82 Miles
- Elevation: 3,652ft
Pass Thru Towns
- Altoona
- Mitchellville
- Newton – Meeting Town
- Colfax
- Kellogg
- Grinnell
Things to know about each city/town
- Des Moines – Des Moines is the capital city of Iowa. The gold-domed Iowa State Capitol building is among the 19th- and early-20th-century landmarks of the East Village area. The Des Moines Art Center is noted for its contemporary collections and Pappa John Sculpture Park. Local produce and live music are draws at the Downtown Farmers’ Market. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden has outdoor plant displays and a geodesic dome. ― Google
- Altoona – Altoona is home of the Adventureland amusement park and Prairie Meadows horse racing track and casino.
- Mitchellville – Mitchellville was founded by Thomas Mitchell (1816-1894) in 1856 and it incorporated as a city on September 30, 1875. Mitchell’s farm was later purchased by Polk County, becoming Thomas Mitchell Park. Mitchell was the first white settler in Polk County, Iowa.
- Newton – Newton became known as Washing Machine Capital of the World and was home to a Fortune “500” Company – the Maytag Corporation. The community’s most distinctive landmark, the Jasper County Courthouse, was built in 1911.
- Colfax – Once a turn-of-the-century mineral water health resort destination which catered to visitors seeking health cures, Colfax is now a quaint residential community with a historic downtown business district. Just 25 minutes east of Des Moines on I-80, Colfax offers small-town traditions such as the Jasper County Fair, Mineral Springs Days, Demolition Derby, Colfax Country Christmas, and other great small town events. In the vibrant downtown district, taste award-winning pizza, shop at one of the great antique and boutique stores, or visit an old-fashioned ice cream fountain!
- Kellogg – The terminus of the railroad remained in Kellogg for some time, fueling the early growth of the town. Today, one of Kellogg’s most notable features is the five-building Kellogg Museum complex. Its main building is the former Simpson Hotel, constructed in 1909.
- Grinnell – Grinnell Games is a weekend family sports festival. Community-organized events include Imagine Grinnell’s Half Marathon and 5K Run, the Twilight Bike Criterium, The Amazing Chase, Twilight Trail Run, and the Warrior Run. Grinnell Games draws visitors from across the state with its family-friendly activities, sidewalk sales, live music, and a beer garden on Saturday night.
- Tama-Toledo – Tama is located a few miles from the Meskwaki Settlement, Iowa’s only significant Native American community. Tama was located on the historic Lincoln Highway and is home to an original Lincoln Highway bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tama is named for Taimah, the 19th century Meskwaki leader.