Get to Know: Ankeny
Ankeny is ready to impress with its access to area trails for walking, running and biking like the High Trestle, Gay Lea Wilson Trail and Neal Smith Trail (thanks in part to the Ankeny Pedestrian Bridge!). You’ll find flourishing community pride at the annual Ankeny Summerfest celebration and a full list of unique places to shop and eat: the largest Costco in the Midwest. Uptown Ankeny and The District at Prairie Trail are full of locally owned businesses, including delicious restaurants like Magee’s Irish Pub & Eatery and Trailside Tap, to support. Not one but two mecca water parks — Cascade Falls and Prairie Ridge — offer swim lessons, water slides and fun in the sun for the whole family throug-+hout the summer while the Ankeny Miracle Park is an all-inclusive destination with an accessible baseball field and a playground to encourage play between all children. Ankeny is also the headquarters of Casey’s General Stores, an Iowa employer that serves 2,900+ convenience stores across 19 states.
Ankeny at a Glance
- Population: 76,207 (2024, U.S. Census Bureau)
- Location within Greater Des Moines: North
- Distance from Des Moines: 13.6 miles
- Type of Community: Suburb
- School District: Ankeny Community School District
- County: Polk
Ankeny in one sentence: Ankeny is a growing community that’s become home to many, thanks to its desirable amenities, annual events, close proximity to Des Moines and first-rate development opportunities.
The top five best things about Ankeny: Access to trails has to top the list, but there is so much to love about this community to the north of Des Moines! Several incredible local breweries are ready to serve you, including Firetrucker, TrailSide Tap and Uptown Garage Brewing Co. right along the trailhead. Other highlights include Ankeny’s small businesses — just swing by Uptown and The District to get your fill of local shops and only-found-here restaurants. The sense of community is another key piece of what makes Ankeny the best, with strong public services, welcoming neighborhoods and gathering spaces like the Ankeny Public Library that bring residents together and create meaningful connections.
Hidden gems and unexpected finds in Ankeny: The inclusive Ankeny Miracle Park is the city’s largest playground and offers handicap-accessible features. You’ll know it by the large, eye-catching baseball topper! Speaking of playgrounds, Deer Creek Park on the eastern side of the city has a zipline that lends to hours of endless fun for kids of all ages.
Community traditions and annual events: Summerfest is Ankeny’s most well-known annual event, with live music, a parade and a fireworks display taking place each year in July. The Ankeny Art Center also hosts the annual Santa’s North Pole Village Craft Show, featuring more than 300 vendors and attracting thousands of shoppers each year. It’s one of the most popular craft shows in Iowa and a beloved Ankeny tradition spanning more than three decades. Movies Under the Stars is a big draw on Friday nights in June and July at Wagner Park, bringing the community together for family-friendly evenings outdoors.
Best ways to get connected: Join the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, attend events with other community members or volunteer for Summerfest. For music lovers, The District at Prairie Trail features live music every Thursday throughout the summer months.
Big things on the horizon for Ankeny: Ankeny continues to invest in its future and quality of life, building on the High Trestle Trail Experience Park, a growing destination that already features a unique glow trail and will continue to expand with new amenities, art and interactive features in the coming years.
If you’re coming to check out the community, be sure to spend your day ... visiting Prairie Trail businesses, including Tribute Eatery & Bar, Purple Poppy, Maria Vincent Boutique, Grimaldi's Pizza and, of course B&B Theatres Ankeny which includes a 12-screen movie theatre and bowling. In the Uptown neighborhood, stop by Leaning Tower of Pizza, Uptown Confections & Curiosities, West Forty Market or an old favorite of longtime Ankeny residents: The Yankee Clipper (Insider Tip: This is the place to be on Taco Tuesday!). During the summer, stop by the Ankeny Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings, also located in Uptown at the Ankeny Market & Pavilion.
Some of the ways Ankeny advances inclusive strategies: Ankeny hosts Pride events, family-friendly occasions featuring games, face painting, book giveaways, vendor booths and more. The Ankeny Community Network also hosts an annual Juneteenth celebration that brings the community together through live performances, local vendors, food trucks and cultural experiences. The Ankeny Community Network works to advance multiculturalism and diversity and establish a community network through relationship building, civic engagement, community leadership and education.
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