Things To Do In Clive
Clive IA, located just five miles west of downtown Des Moines is a suburb city. It was founded in the late 19th century around a depot for the St. Louis – Des Moines Northern Railway.
This exact building dates back to 1882 and can be seen on the campus of Clive Historical Society. It also preserves a caboose and general store.
Clive’s unusually long footprint encompasses Walnut Creek’s banks, which flows west to east.
Clive homes for sale are exceptional and are surrounded by lots of greenery. Clive offers a variety of recreational opportunities and wildlife habitats.
The Clive Greenbelt Trail runs for approximately 11 miles around this watercourse, providing valuable resources that serve important attractions such as Living History and large retail corridors along 86th Street and University Avenue.
Here are the top 15 places to visit while in Clive, IA
1. Des Moines
Clive’s eastern section is as close to downtown Des Moines as it is to Clive’s western neighborhoods. There are many outstanding sights and attractions to keep in mind.
The Des Moines Art Center is a great choice, with a large collection of works by Grant Wood, Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Warhol. It is also responsible for the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Western Gateway Park.
The Wells Fargo Arena is located near the Des Moines River. It serves as both a venue and home court for the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League.
The Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market is a great place to shop for produce in a state known for its quality. You must also make time to see the iconic Capitol Building (1886), which is located on a hilltop. It’s hard to miss its golden dome.
2. Clive Aquatic Center
The Clive Aquatic Center, which was opened in close proximity to the public library building, is a small water park that draws families from all over the western Des Moines metropolitan area.
There are six lanes in the 25-meter pool, a lazy stream, a diving well, and basketball hoops. Three water slides and a separate toddler pool have fountains and zero-depth entry.
The spray deck is a hit with children, featuring water cannons as well as a tipping bucket. If you want to have some fun with your children, there are plenty of green spaces and shade throughout the park.
3. 515 Brewing
This popular craft brewery has been in business for over a decade. It is located right on the Clive Greenbelt Trail with an outdoor patio and bicycle racks.
The brewers can use more than 150 recipes and have a seven-barrel system. 515 Brewing is a great choice for beer lovers who are looking to experiment with new things as well as traditionalists.
There are 20 beers available in the taproom. You will be able to sample some of the favorites, including Greenbelt IPA and Mexican Spring (Wheat Beer), as well as Tannenbier and Lager. There are several taps that can be reserved for guest beers or hard ciders.
4. Country Club Glen
This neighborhood park, covering 15 acres, is located west of Clive. It has a trail that connects with the Raccoon River Valley Trail.
Country Club Glen is loved by families because of its fantastic playground with separate equipment for younger and older children.
You will also find a large expanse of greenery that is often used for soccer. There are also picnic tables, shelters with electric outlets and grills, as well as full basketball courts, and a water fountain. The water fountain has a component below that can be used by dogs.
5. Des Moines Buccaneers
Hockey fans can catch the Des Moines Buccaneers’ next generation in action, located in Urbandale.
The Buccaneers, a Tier I junior hockey team, compete in the United States Hockey League. They have produced more than ten NHL players in the past decade.
The team was founded in 1980 and has won four regular season titles (Anderson Cups), as well as four playoff titles, including the (Clark Cups). They have reached the semifinals of the conference as recently as 2019.
The Buccaneer Arena (1961) was the home ice at the time of writing. However, the team will move to Merle Hay Mall, a 3,500-seat arena that is state-of-the-art in the near future.
6. Board & Brush Creative Studio
A unique business is located along University Avenue. It offers a place where you can have fun, relax and most importantly be creative.
Board & Brush Creative Studio offers sign-making workshops for groups and can help you create your vintage-style sign.
You can also distress the wood and sand the boards and then assemble them with the assistance of an instructor or expert assistant.
7. Clive Greenbelt Trail
The center of Clive, on the banks of Walnut Creek’s banks, is bounded by a paved trail that runs more than 11 miles.
The Clive Greenbelt Trail, a treasured asset of the community, is closed to motor vehicles. It is safe and easy to get to some of the best attractions in the area by foot or on a bike.
You’ll soon forget you are in a city when you travel through the hardwood forest that runs along the riverside.
You can view the annual Art Along the Trail exhibition from May to October. There are also chances that you will see friendly goats grazing in the undergrowth.
8. Jordan Creek Town Center
Clive is just minutes away from the largest mall in Iowa and the Midwest.
The Jordan Creek Town Center, an upscale shopping center, opened its doors in 2004. It covers 200 acres of land.
It’s difficult to beat the Lake District as a dining destination in summer with its string of restaurants like P.F. Bravo, Joe’s Crab Shack and Chang’s are just a few of the many restaurants that can be found in the Lake District. Italian Kitchen with outdoor seating that overlooks a lake.
There are 130+ retailers in the mall, including Apple, Barnes & Noble, H&M, Old Navy, and Sephora as well. A 20-screen Cinemark multiplex is available if you’re looking to spend the day there.
9. Historic Valley Junction
You can visit the old heart of West Des Moines within ten minutes of Clive’s eastside.
Valley Junction was established in the late 19th century as a railroad settlement along the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad. It changed its name to West Des Moines, in 1938.
Today it’s a fashionable commercial district that is rich in history and lined with more than 150 locally owned beautiful brick buildings.
On Thursdays, there is a fantastic farmers’ market that is one of the best in the Metro area. In June, an art fair takes place on 5th Street.
The historic city hall and engine house at 137 5th Street were built in 1905. It is now home to the Historic Valley Junction Foundation.
10. Campbell Recreation Area
This park is located south of the Clive Greenbelt Trail and is the most active spot in the region.
The Campbell Recreation Area covers 34 acres. It underwent a major renovation ten years back. It has numerous facilities like three softball fields, three tennis courts, a basketball court, a modern playground, two sand volleyball courts, and an open soccer space for soccer.
This shelter is available for rent and can accommodate up to 50 people. It has two grills and electrical outlets.
11. Living History Farms
A 500-acre, captivating outdoor museum that celebrates Iowa’s agricultural heritage is located on the opposite side of U.S. Route 6 in Urbandale.
Living History Farms recreates farming communities from 1800 (Ioway), 1900, 1850, and 1900. It demonstrates the technology, skills, and customs of each period.
The experience is enhanced by costumed reenactors who demonstrate skills such as tanning, pottery, food preparation, spinning, plowing, sowing, and candle making.
Walnut Hill is a snapshot of a pioneer town in 19th-century America. It was frozen in time in 1875. The site features everyday necessities like a bank and general store, schoolhouse, and law office, as well as an elegant Victorian mansion.
12. Wildwood Park
This charming park is located in the quiet residential area of that network of parks along Clive Greenbelt Trail.
Wildwood Park is a great spot for summer outdoor recreation if it wasn’t for the trail.
You’ll find pickleball courts and a basketball court in a small area. There is also a large playfield and shaded shelter.
It is worth mentioning the playground, which has separate areas for older and younger children, as well as a large sandpit around the swing set.
13. Clive Historical Society
The adorable campus of the Clive Historical Society is located at the intersection of 86th Street and the Clive Greenbelt Tail.
This is a great place to stop and enjoy the free Wi-Fi and shade of an old walnut tree.
The society also preserves the Clive Depot. It dates back to 1882. This depot was once an important hub for freight, passengers, mail, cattle, and produce. A caboose is located close by, which serves as a reminder about Clive’s roots, and Swanson’s General Store, which was built in 1911.
These monuments are well worth visiting from the outside. However, you can contact the society to arrange a more detailed tour.
14. Greenbelt Goats
If you travel along the Greenbelt Trail during the warmer months, there’s a good chance that you will be joined by a group of goats.
In 2019 the goats were rehabilitated to help eliminate invasive species such as bush honeysuckle and garlic mustard along the Greenbelt Park’s trail system.
Although the goats are often found in deep undergrowth, they can sometimes be lured to cross the path with feed.
A map is also available from Parks and Rec to show where goats are grazing on any given day.
15. Valley West Mall
Valley West Mall, which has been in existence since 1975, is a smaller mall.
The mall houses more than 110 shops and services. It is also home to many local businesses as well as national chains such as rue21, JCPenney, Kay Jewelers, Claire’s, Eddie Bauer, and Victoria’s Secret.
Here you’ll find the Des Moines Children’s Museum, which offers educational play for children. Food-wise, there are chains like Chipotle, Blaze Pizza, and Jimmy John’s.
Conclusion
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or looking to move to a new suburb, Clive is a wonderful place to call home! Forbes magazine ranked Clive as the best Des Moines address when comparing home prices across the country.
Clive offers all the amenities and conveniences of a large city, but the rural lifestyle of living in the country. You can visit the community and shop at the shops. Also, you will enjoy the walking and greenbelt trail and bike path. Clive is a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
Clive’s home appreciation rates have been lower than the rest of the country over the past year. Clive’s appreciation rate for the past twelve months has been 10.15%. This is lower than most appreciation rates in America. A Clive Realtor can help you make the best decision.