Living History Farms — Attraction in Urbandale

I am very disappointed in the Living History Farms. We came with our 2 grandchildren to have a outing and educational experience. We have been here 3 other times in past years with others and it was a great experience. This time it was the worst ever. We found a lot of the farms lacking in activities. The circus display would have been nice if one could have enjoyed looking without the lady there making you feel uncomfortable watching every move we made. Our kids was with us and not running around, but she kept following us until we left. The play area is not in very good condition anymore. Then we couldn't go through the town and enjoy the stores because the photo clubs were inside all of them and we couldn't even look inside. They were ruid and blocked the doorways and we couldn't enter them. We looked inside the blacksmith shop and was told we couldn't go in from that side door, but it was the only way we could see inside. We was able to go to the store just because they were sitting outside and we went around them. The drugstore was empty and the man inside was very nice and talk to them about leeches. Then the photo people started coming in and we felt pushed out. We finally just left watched some of the baseball game and left for the day before the rain started. We felt the lady at the front ticket booth should have told us they were having this photography event and gave us the option not getting to see anything or enjoy our day, too. We were paying guest too and should have been able to see the things, also. We heard others voicing the same. I think it was expensive and we got nothing out of it. We spent less than 2 hours and got nothing from it. I will not recommend it to our friends and family especially those...

I was so disappointed. I am not sure there is much ‘living history’ here. Only a couple spots had anyone to give you any information and those were by far the best. My kids and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to interact or listen to the few opportunities we got, it by far increased the value of the experience. Checking in was the very worst. We didn’t get our homeschool pamphlet we were promised when registering. The front desk people didn’t even look at our tickets and were very rude. Would barely even answer my questions - as little info as possible. I was really surprised at the unfriendliness. We went to something a little similar in South Dakota and my kids were able to make a part of their own rope and a corn doll - just very interactive and much more fun experience. The only reason this place got any stars was because of the two boys in the printing shop and guy that gives you some explanation when you first get dropped off in the farm section. These were the two only enjoyable experiences we had and they were excellent! The employees were engaging and great.I wish there had been more of that, if there had, this place would be amazing! On two occasions we had employees completely ignore us. The worst were three woman out in a house in the farm area. Three all in one place with so many places empty of people or explanation and then they just spoke to each other about lunch and completely ignored us. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this place. Just a long, very...

It’s gone down hill if you ask me. It was still a fun experience but one con is they close at 4 and half the time sooner then that 330 most of everything was closed up. Most of the shop owners/attraction tenders are nice I did run into one that was rude. I had a service animal with and told me I was not aloud in the building. I understand some of these places are historical but what harm is my obedient dog causing? Asked if it had a job and I said yes service animal and she said no dog needs a job and proceeded to tell me to leave there are spots that are blocked off for no reason that you can’t view. Just kinda disappointed I remember better from this place. There are a lot better attractions/places out there. I think this is a Pass anymore like even the road that they take you down on the tractor ride they can’t even fix up. It is so bad it bounces you out of your seat. If you have any sort of back problem, I strongly recommend do not get on it. It’s just disappointing. Would be nice to see them put more time and money back into this place but like I say it seems like it’s just gone downhill since the previous years I visited.. Most of their staff are very friendly other than just a couple we ran into that we’re not. I wanna commend the ones that are doing a great job and are very friendly and want to teach the public about the history. You guys are...