Drake Stadium — Attraction in Des Moines

I have come here to attend the Iowa High School State Track Competition every May for the past seven years. Parking is tricky until you become familiar with the area, I recommend you familiarize yourself with a map of the area if you're going down for the first time. There is also a list of items not allowed in the stadium so check the website prior to attending so that you don't have to return to your car. There are multiple points of entry which helps reduce lines but in some years I have still had to wait in line. They do check bags upon entry. You buy tickets online & finals sells out often so don't wait until the last day. The stadium is set up great for this event! You can walk all the way around it from the inside but there are stairs so if you need handicap accessibility, please check into that. They have an enormous screen where they show what is going on and display results and the announcer is amazing, he has been doing this for a long time and is an Iowa treasure! He also has a "Track Guy Scholarship" for Iowa high school seniors (cross country also) so if thats you, look into it! The stadium is older and is fun to think about all the people & athletes who have walked the same paths you are using! There are lots of bathrooms dotted around and wait times are short or not at all. For big events they have not only the expensive concessions open but food trucks available also! Fun & amazing environment in a treasure...

Drake stadium has had some of the greatest athletes of American history run on this track. The unfortunate part is that the track has not changed much since those great athletes ran there. The far lanes butt up against the stands which make viewing the race great for the spectators but a little hairy for the runners in the far lane.

As a spectator there is not much cover in the stands so be weary of hot or rainy days. As I noted earlier, it is an old stadium so moving around is not easy for handicapped. Also, the seating is not very comfortable.

I like the appeal of visiting a historic site but I do not like having to use it for its...

I went there to watch my daughter compete in the hammer throw for USATF. First off the looked through my purse like I was a common criminal. Then they refused to let our family bring my granddaughter whom is an infant in her stroller. The attendants were rude and very unprofessional. Parking was $10.00 seats were $20.00. They had no help for handicapped persons. The seats we got to set in were a hill in the grass behind the throwers. (Not benches.) There were benches there but they were available for the people watching the javelin. Drake University was horrible and I hope I never have to go back...