Guidebook for Des Moines
Arts & Culture
The Des Moines Art Center is one mile from our home. It includes an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, modern art, and mixed media. Admission is free.
87 locals recommend
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand AveThe Des Moines Art Center is one mile from our home. It includes an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, modern art, and mixed media. Admission is free.
The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a 4.4 acre park with 27 works of art that are valued at over $40 million.
78 locals recommend
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand AveThe John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a 4.4 acre park with 27 works of art that are valued at over $40 million.
Des Moines Social Club
900 Mulberry StFood Scene
A local bakery that makes its own breads and pastries daily. Perfect for breakfast/brunch.
46 locals recommend
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StA local bakery that makes its own breads and pastries daily. Perfect for breakfast/brunch.
The café has something for everyone, and a market is attached if you would like to pick up some snacks for later.
35 locals recommend
Gateway Market
2002 Woodland AveThe café has something for everyone, and a market is attached if you would like to pick up some snacks for later.
Excellent sandwiches, salads, and soups.
*Only open Monday through Friday, 11am – 2 pm.
South Union Bread Cafe
1007 Locust StExcellent sandwiches, salads, and soups.
*Only open Monday through Friday, 11am – 2 pm.
A healthier lunch option with make-your-own spinner salads and sandwiches.
8 locals recommend
Palmer's Deli & Market
2843 Ingersoll AveA healthier lunch option with make-your-own spinner salads and sandwiches.
Delicious sandwiches from a local, family-owned deli. The ‘special’ is my favorite. Be warned: the décor hasn’t changed since 1960!
10 locals recommend
Manhattan Deli
3705 Ingersoll AveDelicious sandwiches from a local, family-owned deli. The ‘special’ is my favorite. Be warned: the décor hasn’t changed since 1960!
The best happy hour special in Des Moines. Half-price pizza, wine, and beer every day from 3pm to 6 pm. We recommend ordering the pizza; Eatery A has a wood-burning oven that makes a delicious, perfectly charred pizza crust.
42 locals recommend
Eatery A
2932 Ingersoll AveThe best happy hour special in Des Moines. Half-price pizza, wine, and beer every day from 3pm to 6 pm. We recommend ordering the pizza; Eatery A has a wood-burning oven that makes a delicious, perfectly charred pizza crust.
If you like burgers, this is the place for you. We always order from the counter (and forgo the sit-down side). Also, if you order the loaded fry basket, which we highly recommend, a half-order will easily feed two people.
*Added bonus: Zombie Burger is open until 2am.
44 locals recommend
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
300 E Grand AveIf you like burgers, this is the place for you. We always order from the counter (and forgo the sit-down side). Also, if you order the loaded fry basket, which we highly recommend, a half-order will easily feed two people.
*Added bonus: Zombie Burger is open until 2am.
This French restaurant is one of the nicer restaurants in Des Moines. For an all-around great meal, with a fancier atmosphere, try Django.
18 locals recommend
Django
1420 Locust StThis French restaurant is one of the nicer restaurants in Des Moines. For an all-around great meal, with a fancier atmosphere, try Django.
This restaurant serves Latin dishes and is located in a renovated firehouse. We recommend the seafood nachos and tacos (the shrimp and chicken tacos are my favorite).
14 locals recommend
Malo
900 Mulberry StThis restaurant serves Latin dishes and is located in a renovated firehouse. We recommend the seafood nachos and tacos (the shrimp and chicken tacos are my favorite).
Caribou Coffee
3220 Ingersoll AvePancheros Mexican Grill
2708 Ingersoll AveMenchie's Frozen Yogurt
2105 Ingersoll AveDrinks & Nightlife
Every retro arcade game from your childhood in one place, except now you are old enough to enjoy a drink while you play!
30 locals recommend
Up-Down
500 E Locust StEvery retro arcade game from your childhood in one place, except now you are old enough to enjoy a drink while you play!
If you like beer, this place is for you. It boasts over 120 beers on tap, all from Iowa craft breweries.
23 locals recommend
The Iowa Taproom
215 E 3rd StIf you like beer, this place is for you. It boasts over 120 beers on tap, all from Iowa craft breweries.
The Royal Mile
210 4th StThis British bar is a great stop for laid-back drinks.
Parks & Nature
Central Iowa has over 600 miles of paved trails. Access to this trail system is less than a block away from our home.
649 N Waterbury Rd
Central Iowa has over 600 miles of paved trails. Access to this trail system is less than a block away from our home.
Greenwood/Ashworth Park & Splashground
4500 Grand AvenueEssentials
Fareway Grocery
329 Grand AveCasey's
105 Grand AveEntertainment & Activities
The Des Moines Farmers' Market occurs every Saturday morning (7 a.m. to noon) from May through October in the Court Avenue District. It's a great place to walk around, get fresh produce and flowers, see local art vendors, listen to music, and enjoy a breakfast burrito. The Des Moines Farmers' Market is rated one of the best in the nation; we try to go every weekend!
41 locals recommend
Des Moines' Downtown Farmers’ Market
300 Court AveThe Des Moines Farmers' Market occurs every Saturday morning (7 a.m. to noon) from May through October in the Court Avenue District. It's a great place to walk around, get fresh produce and flowers, see local art vendors, listen to music, and enjoy a breakfast burrito. The Des Moines Farmers' Market is rated one of the best in the nation; we try to go every weekend!
The Science Center is filled with exhibits, live programs, a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and lots more!
43 locals recommend
Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr PkwyThe Science Center is filled with exhibits, live programs, a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and lots more!
Principal Park
1 Line DrEverything Else
If you are in the Court Avenue District and like antiques and salvaged architectural details, you should definitely check out West End Architectural Salvage! It is four stories of one-of-a-kind items.
12 locals recommend
West End Architectural Salvage
22 9th StIf you are in the Court Avenue District and like antiques and salvaged architectural details, you should definitely check out West End Architectural Salvage! It is four stories of one-of-a-kind items.