Urbandale, Iowa

Urbandale, Iowa

Overview

The city of Urbandale is set in two counties, with a part located in Dallas County and another in Polk County, both in the state of Illinois. It is a large city, occupying an area of 20.7 sq mi (53.7 km2), with only a very small part comprised of water, only about (0.1 km2). The city used to be bustling with activity from the four coal mines within its borders as well as streetcars. The mines had long closed, in as early as the 1940s while a decade later, the streetcar service also stopped. The city is now mostly residential, with plenty of homes, subdivisions, and gate communities within its borders.

Fast Facts

  • Urbandale is a city in Dallas and Polk Counties of Illinois.
  • It also belongs to the Des Moines-West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.
  • It was incorporated in 1917, with a population of less than 300. As of the census in 2000, the city has a population of less than 30,000. Such a population boom is precipitated by the fact that the city has become a largely residential community.
  • The city is governed by a council-manager form of government.
  • There are several schools in Urbandale, with one middle school, one high school, and six elementary schools. All these belong to the Urbandale Community School District.

Restaurants And Dining

Urbandale offers varied flavors and gourmet delights that travelers will easily love as much as the locals do. The Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant may seem like an unconventional restaurant but it serves the best dishes, with large servings of great meat delights and various foods. If you want to taste the best Asian dishes, then dine at Tsing Tsao West which offers surprisingly affordable Chinese dishes served with authentic drinks. The best Italian dishes can be tasted at Mama Lacona’s Italian Restaurant; try their tasty pasta dishes with fresh sauces. Book your Urbandale Hotels with Reservations.com.

Things To Do

Being a residential city, Urbandale does not get countless tourists every year. Still, it does have its fair share of things to do there for travelers to enjoy their stay. When traveling to Urbandale, tourists are invited to visit the Living History Farms which is an open air museum where they can enjoy touring the farm grounds for information on how life in the farms had been in the past 300 years or more of the agricultural history of Iowa. They can even buy fresh farm products at the place. They could also visit any of the parks and open spaces in Urbandale, many of which have scenic walking trails where visitors can enjoy nature.

Best Hotel Accommodations

The best hotels in Urbandale are not fice-stars as there are none of these in the city. Still, one can live comfortably at the two- or three-stars in the area. Favorite options and top picks include Sleep Inn which has fair prices and offers easy access to restaurants in the vicinity. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Urbandale offers comfortable beds, air conditioning, and good location. Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines/Urbandale is another favorite, with its spacious rooms, elegant décor, and various business facilities.