Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

About

A domed conservatory and twelve acres of outdoor gardens sit on the east bank of the Des Moines River at 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, a few blocks from downtown Des Moines and just off the East 6th Street exit from I-235. The Garden calls itself an ADA-compliant facility in its own FAQ, with wide paths and sidewalks, accessible doors, additional restrooms, a universal changing table, and an elevator up to the conservatory balcony.

Inside the dome, visitors move between themed plant rooms including the Juniper Room, the Agave Room, and the Botany Lab, plus the Evergreen Gallery, which rotates locally made art on a quarterly schedule. Outside, garden areas include the Wells Fargo Rose Garden, the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden, a Water Garden, a seasonal Bonsai Garden, and a Nature Play area for children.

Flora Café, the on-site restaurant, was open 11 am to 2 pm Tuesday through Saturday and 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday as of August 2026, with closures on Monday; the Garden Shop sells plants, books, and local handmade goods near the main entrance. The Garden does not publish general admission hours or ticket prices on its FAQ page, so check the Tickets & Admission page or call ahead before a visit.

The Garden sits across the river from the East Village shopping and dining district and close to downtown Des Moines, making it easy to pair with a stop at the Downtown Farmers' Market on a Saturday or an afternoon in East Village. Parking in the Garden's own lot is free but limited, with overflow parking along Robert D. Ray Drive during large events.

Accessibility

The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is wheelchair accessible. The Garden states in its own FAQ that it is an ADA-compliant facility, though it does not publish every detail a visitor with a disability might want, so some questions are best answered by calling ahead.

The Garden does not publish information about the number or location of accessible parking spaces. Parking itself is free but limited, with overflow parking along Robert D. Ray Drive during large events; if you need a spot close to the entrance, call the Garden at (515) 323-6290 before you go.

Once inside, the FAQ describes wide paths and sidewalks, accessible doors, and an elevator that carries guests up to the conservatory balcony. A wheelchair user who visited in 2025 described the outdoor pathways as carefully manicured and accessible, and pointed to a waterfall you can roll underneath as a highlight.

The Garden's FAQ lists accessible restrooms and a universal changing table.

The Garden keeps a limited number of non-motorized wheelchairs and strollers just inside the front entryway, free to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Free sensory backpacks, with items like noise-reducing earmuffs, a lap pad, and fidget tools, are available at the front desk any time the Garden is open; the Garden plans to begin offering private, guided Sensory Tours on November 1, 2026. Service animals that meet the ADA definition are welcome; pets and emotional support animals are not.

If you need a specific accommodation, ask at the front desk when you arrive, or call ahead so staff can have a wheelchair, stroller, or sensory backpack ready.

Checked by Accessible America, August 2026. Report a change

More accessible places in Iowa

• Science Center of Iowa (Des Moines)
• Des Moines Art Center (Des Moines)
• Iowa State Capitol (Des Moines)
• Merle Hay Mall (Des Moines)
• Blank Park Zoo (Des Moines)
• Figge Art Museum (Davenport)

Photo credits

• Domed conservatory and paved path at the entrance of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.: James Steakley, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
• A visitor sits on a bench facing a large living plant wall inside the conservatory.: James Steakley, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)