Guidebook for Des Moines
Food Scene
2128 Indianola Ave
2128 Indianola AvenueGreat vegetarian options, delicious Thai Tea, and funky small-neighborhood charm.
Amici Espresso
206 6th AveGood place for quiet working and a coffee.
Hessen Haus
101 SW 4th StAmazing world beers, super good German food. Polka.
Honestly: not the best cafe downtown, but close and satisfactory if you are looking for a place to grab coffee, lunch, or wifi.
7 locals recommend
Java Joes Coffee House
214 E 4th StHonestly: not the best cafe downtown, but close and satisfactory if you are looking for a place to grab coffee, lunch, or wifi.
The best sushi in town. Authentic, small, tasty, friendly, happy, good. Eat there.
16 locals recommend
Miyabi 9
512 E Grand AveThe best sushi in town. Authentic, small, tasty, friendly, happy, good. Eat there.
Entertainment & Activities
Nice little neighborhood park. Jungle gym, two tennis courts, basketball court, picnic huts.
Columbus Park
1921 SE 1st StNice little neighborhood park. Jungle gym, two tennis courts, basketball court, picnic huts.
Sightseeing
Big, beautiful park and lake in EASY walking/riding distance. Ask us the easiest way to get there, Google doesn't know the shortcut :)
22 locals recommend
Principal Park
1 Line DrBig, beautiful park and lake in EASY walking/riding distance. Ask us the easiest way to get there, Google doesn't know the shortcut :)
Arts & Culture
World-class sculpture garden with some seriously impressive pieces. It's a long walk (45 minutes) from our place, or a short bike- or bus-ride.
78 locals recommend
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand AveWorld-class sculpture garden with some seriously impressive pieces. It's a long walk (45 minutes) from our place, or a short bike- or bus-ride.
A world-class art museum in three gorgeous buildings. I think this is DSM's best-kept secret.
87 locals recommend
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand AveA world-class art museum in three gorgeous buildings. I think this is DSM's best-kept secret.
Drinks & Nightlife
We have a lot of favorite bars, but this is probably our legit favorite bar. They don't offer anything made after 1979 -- and the food is very much home-style comfort food.
12 locals recommend
The High Life Lounge
200 Southwest 2nd StreetWe have a lot of favorite bars, but this is probably our legit favorite bar. They don't offer anything made after 1979 -- and the food is very much home-style comfort food.