Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino is at 1 Prairie Meadows Drive in Altoona, just east of Des Moines. It rates 4.0 from around 10,800 Google reviewers, the largest review count of any venue in this group.
It began operating in 1989 as a nonprofit venture meant to support Iowa jobs, agriculture and tourism. Today it combines a racetrack, a casino floor, a sportsbook, a poker room and a hotel at the heart of the Des Moines casino scene.
Setting expectations
This is the central Iowa casino most people mean when they say "the Meadows". It is large, busy and well worn, with a crowd that ranges from retirees on a weekday to groups arriving for a Friday night.
The racetrack gives it a different feel from a pure casino. On live race days the property has an outdoor, fairgrounds energy that smaller casinos lack.
The property is designed as a full day out. Racing, the casino, the sportsbook, the hotel and the restaurants are all on one campus, so plan more time than you would for a smaller casino.
A first visit is easiest if you pick one anchor for the evening, such as dinner at the steakhouse, a few races or a session at the poker room, and build around it. The property is big enough that wandering without a plan can eat up the night.
What's on the floor
Slots. A large slot floor with a broad mix of machines is the center of the property. If you have a favorite game, this is one of the likelier places in central Iowa to find it.
Tables. Table games are listed on the venue's site. Minimums rise on weekends.
Poker. A poker room is listed on the site. Confirm game times with the casino before you go.
Sports betting. The Caesars Sportsbook is on site for in-person wagers.
Racing. Live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs in a spring-to-fall season, and simulcast racing is offered. The 2026 live meet ran from May 2 to September 26.
Dining
- AJ's Steakhouse — the sit-down steakhouse.
- The Paddock Grill — casual dining with a racing setting.
- Café at the Meadows — an easy all-day café.
- The Clubhouse — a casual restaurant and bar.
- Prairie Coffee Company — coffee and quick bites.
Tips before you go
You must be 21 to gamble at Prairie Meadows.
Parking is on site and plentiful, though race days and weekends fill the closest lots.
Join Prairie Gold Rewards before you start. The venue states that membership is free.
Live racing is seasonal, so confirm the schedule if the horses are part of your plan.
Race days draw extra crowds and extra traffic, so allow extra time to get in and out. Weeknights are usually the calmest.
Set a budget before you walk in and treat it as the cost of the evening.
Getting there
Prairie Meadows is in Altoona, about 10 miles northeast of downtown Des Moines, close to I-80 and US 65. It is about 40 miles from Ames and about 100 miles from Cedar Rapids.
The drive from downtown Des Moines usually takes about 15 minutes outside rush hour. From Iowa City or Cedar Rapids, allow around 1 hour 45 minutes and about 2 hours respectively.
Who it suits
Prairie Meadows suits anyone in central Iowa who wants a full-service casino: slots, tables, poker, a sportsbook and a hotel, with racing on top. It is a good choice for groups, since there is something for everyone.
It is a weaker fit if you want a quiet, boutique room. Weekends are crowded, and the building is more of a large entertainment complex than a cozy casino. Prairie Meadows is also the most convenient casino for Des Moines area visitors flying in, since it sits only a short drive from the city.
Nearby
Lakeside Hotel Casino, Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel are the other central Iowa options, to the south and east respectively.
For every venue in the state, see all Iowa in-person casinos.
FAQ
Who owns Prairie Meadows?
Prairie Meadows began operating in 1989 as a nonprofit organization, according to the track's own description.
Does Prairie Meadows have a poker room?
Yes. Poker is listed on the venue's site. Check game times before you visit.
Does Prairie Meadows have a sportsbook?
Yes. The Caesars Sportsbook is on site.
Does Prairie Meadows have a hotel?
Yes. The property has an on-site hotel, with rooms and amenities listed on its site.
Where is Prairie Meadows?
At 1 Prairie Meadows Drive in Altoona, about 10 miles northeast of downtown Des Moines.
How old do you have to be to gamble at Prairie Meadows?
You must be 21.
Rather play from home? See our Iowa sweepstakes casino reviews.
Details checked against the venue's announcements and recent local reporting. Hours, restaurants and games change, so confirm before you go.
