Adventureland was first opened in 1974. It has been an iconic spot for both kids, and adults for years. As an Iowan, I have gone to this spot at least once every year. It was a popular spot for my grandparents to take me as a kid.

Many people In Iowa have great stories about Adventureland.

More About The History

While construction of Adventureland Park began in 1973 on a site formerly occupied by a small airport in Des Moines. The first full season began in 1975. A quick history of the land is as follows,

Active in the 1920s until a larger municipal airport was built in 1933 at a different location. The area was later used for farming until Adventureland’s construction broke ground. Its grand opening was scheduled for July 1974, but the park suffered light damage from a tornado, delaying the opening until late August.

My personal favorite, the Tornado was added in 1978. It was a  wooden roller coaster named after the tornado that delayed the park’s grand opening. It is still up today. Over the years many more popular rides have been taken down, and others have been added. On December 21st, 2021,adventureland-altoona-iowa-what-we-know/8994978002/”it was announced that Palace Entertainment would be acquiring Adventureland.

Adventureland Photos

One of the park’s biggest and most popular rides was The Dragon. It was replaced by the “Dragon Slayer” on May 29, 2021.

Another ride replaced by a coster was the log ride. It was replaced by the roller coaster called “The Monster.”

And who could forget the photos it took while you were going down?

The Circus is still going on, but these photos are of the one that was formally located by the Outlaw before moving closer to the center of the