From giant pumpkins and toasty deals, to live horseracing and seafood feasts, these are the top things to do this weekend in Altoona, Iowa.
Pick a Pumpkin, Any Pumpkin
You’ll find plenty of pumpkin patches in and around Altoona, from small, no-frills family farms to bigger operations with corn mazes and hayrides. For a low-key good time, check out the Upstream Gardens & Orchard, a local family-owned business with fresh, chemical-free, pick-your-own fruits and veggies.
Cozy up to Fall Shopping
Fall shopping season is in full swing, and Altoona has all your favorite retailers—along with some hidden gems. Grab something with pumpkin spice in it and head to shopping destinations like the indoor-outdoor Outlets of Des Moines, along with Bass Pro Shops and many others.
For toasty deals and hot tips, check out our guide to fall shopping in Altoona.
Enjoy a Day at the Races
Head to Prairie Meadows Friday, Sept. 25th for the Quarter Horse Championships, where a lineup of all-American sprinters will compete around the gorgeous one-mile track. The racing starts at 6PM.
Then, come back Saturday, Sept. 26th for the Iowa Classic, an action-packed evening of races featuring Iowa-bred thoroughbreds. The races kick off at Prairie Meadows at 6PM, but get there at 5PM for a free concert from Midwest Mayhem, a rock band that covers everything from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Michael Jackson.
Get all the details for both Prairie Meadows events here.
End the Night Right with a Seafood Feast
After you’ve worked up an appetite at the racetrack, head to AJ’s Steakhouse on the first floor of Prairie Meadows for the Saturday Night Seafood Boil, Sept. 26th from 4-9PM. The boil features seafood favorites and more, including snow crab legs, shrimp, kielbasa, red potatoes and corn on the cob. Tickets are $45. Make a reservation here or call 515-957-3535.
For a glimpse inside AJ’s Steakhouse, take a look at our Off the Menu feature.
That’s it for our Weekend Roundup. Thanks for reading!
Have an upcoming event in Altoona? Send us the details here, and we’ll feature it in our Weekend Roundup series.