Where to take a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Iowa

To add some magic to your Iowa winter, consider dashing through the snow in a horse-drawn sleigh. 

The first snow has dusted its way across some of the state of Iowa, and the cold winds have announced that winter has arrived. But that doesn’t mean you need to head indoors and stay put until the spring thaw. There are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Iowa during the brisk winter months.

Bundle up and consider hopping in for one of the most magical experiences of the season: a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Read on to learn more about where you can enjoy this unique, old-fashioned fun. 

1. Jester Park Equestrian Center

Granger

If you are around the Des Moines area, visit Jester Park Equestrian Center. Here, you can sign up to join a holiday horse-drawn sleigh. If there is less than six inches of packed snow on the ground, then you’ll be enjoying a wagon ride around the park pulled by the same team of horses. On this half-hour ride, you’ll enjoy the beauty of the park and the fresh air filling your lungs.

Spots are reserved in advance for rides scheduled on a variety of dates on the half hour from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. throughout December. They do create a wait list if the ride you are looking to book is sold out.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets to stay cozy while on the ride. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are welcome, but they also have coffee, hot tea, and hot cocoa available. Rides cost $200 and can accommodate up to 12 people. If you have little ones that can sit on laps, they do not need to be included in the headcount. Pets are not allowed.

Those who take advantage of this special holiday experience highly recommend it to others. “We had a wonderful experience with a winter sleigh ride through Jester Park…a snowy ride by sleigh on New Year’s Eve,” one Facebook reviewer said.” 

2. Honey Creek Resort

Moravia

One of the best ways to see the beautiful property surrounding Honey Creek Resort in central Iowa is by taking a horse-drawn ride around the property. The draft horses leading the tour are a delight. And the good news is that these rides (via wagon) are offered pretty much any time of year.

Reservations must be made in advance by calling the main resort line. This new offering has been very popular with guests staying in the Lake Rathbun area. If you are staying at the resort, your daily activity wristband covers your ride in the carriage.

“This was an awesome family vacation spot,” said one reviewer on Tripadvisor. “We will definitely have to go back.” Daily activity passes for those not staying on the property are $20. 

3. Blue Moon Carriage LLC 

Central City

In eastern Iowa, you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride offered by Blue Moon Carriage LLC. You’ll find this horse team at a variety of community events throughout eastern Iowa—including Coralville, Central City, Dyersville, and Independence, just to name a few—during the fall and winter months. They bring smiles and extra fun to all sorts of community festivities. They’ve even had the honor of bringing Santa to town for several of these gatherings.

This team is also available for other special events and private rentals. They offer horse-drawn carriage, wagon, and sleigh options and can even come to you for an event, making them a convenient and versatile option. Getting a few friends together to take a ride around the neighborhood to look at the lights might be in order!

4. Clip Clop Carriage Company

New London

Another small horse-drawn carriage operator you’ll find in eastern Iowa is Clip Clop Carriage Company. Their team is also at many community events around the Quad Cities, Burlington, Fairfield, and Muscatine areas. Sometimes, they’re pulling a small carriage in a parade. Other times, they’re offering horse-drawn carriage rides at holiday events.

Follow them on Facebook to see where they will be galloping into next. They are also available for private rentals, so you can gather your jolly group together for a magical holiday ride. One Facebook reviewer shared, “This provided great memories and they worked very well with us to make the day so magical!” 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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