Guidebook for Des Moines
Shopping
Only about 5 minutes from our house. All your essential needs to be met here!
7 locals recommend
Merle Hay Mall
3800 Merle Hay RdOnly about 5 minutes from our house. All your essential needs to be met here!
One of Des Moines' largest shopping malls. Many stores also surround the mall area.
51 locals recommend
Jordan Creek Town Center
101 Jordan Creek PkwyOne of Des Moines' largest shopping malls. Many stores also surround the mall area.
Located about 15 minutes from our house with plenty of shopping options.
11 locals recommend
Valley West Mall station
Located about 15 minutes from our house with plenty of shopping options.
A strip of local antique shops, new shops, and places to grab a bite to eat! http://www.valleyjunction.com/events/
46 locals recommend
Valley Junction
A strip of local antique shops, new shops, and places to grab a bite to eat! http://www.valleyjunction.com/events/
A place to shop locally owned stores, grab a bite to eat, and have a few drinks at the local bars- all within walking distance once you get there!
64 locals recommend
East Village
A place to shop locally owned stores, grab a bite to eat, and have a few drinks at the local bars- all within walking distance once you get there!
Parks & Nature
Ledges State Park
1515 P AveIt's a nice getaway from the city, fresh air, fun trails!
Grays Lake
Grays LakeA relaxing lake to walk around and take in the fresh air.
Drinks & Nightlife
Food, drinks, fun! This is an area for the younger crowd, and can get a little reckless towards closing time.
9 locals recommend
Downtown Des Moines
Food, drinks, fun! This is an area for the younger crowd, and can get a little reckless towards closing time.
Modern bars and restaurants! Cute area to shop during the day as well with many local shops.
64 locals recommend
East Village
Modern bars and restaurants! Cute area to shop during the day as well with many local shops.
West Glen Town Center
5465 Mills Civic PkwyBars, nightclubs, drinks, food, fun! More upscale area.
Food Scene
Local spot, general bar food, cool patio seating when it's nice out!
10 locals recommend
Saints Pub + Patio Beaverdale
4041 Urbandale AveLocal spot, general bar food, cool patio seating when it's nice out!
HUGE local tap beer selection and AMAZING food! They also have a cute patio area when the weather permits.
23 locals recommend
The Iowa Taproom
215 E 3rd StHUGE local tap beer selection and AMAZING food! They also have a cute patio area when the weather permits.
Local donut shop, a Des Moines classic that's been around since I was a little girl! (Not the most colorful/modern seating area, but the donuts are always fresh and amazing as can be!)
Donut Hut
4941 Douglas AveLocal donut shop, a Des Moines classic that's been around since I was a little girl! (Not the most colorful/modern seating area, but the donuts are always fresh and amazing as can be!)
Casual, polished brewpub serving specialty beers plus a menu of steak, seafood, pizza & burgers. One of my all-time favorites!
14 locals recommend
Madhouse Brewery
501 Scott AveCasual, polished brewpub serving specialty beers plus a menu of steak, seafood, pizza & burgers. One of my all-time favorites!
Supper club/bar combo featuring a large salad bar (best in Des Moines if you ask me) in a setting with a Prohibition vibe. Specializing in prime rib! Steaks, seafood, pasta, sandwiches also available.
Chicago Speakeasy
1520 Euclid AveSupper club/bar combo featuring a large salad bar (best in Des Moines if you ask me) in a setting with a Prohibition vibe. Specializing in prime rib! Steaks, seafood, pasta, sandwiches also available.
Scratch Cupcakery
7450 Bridgewood BlvdBest cupcakes in town...in my opinion!
Jason's Deli
3910 University AveHuge salad bar, amazing soups and sandwiches!
Twisted Bean Coffee Company
4504 Merle Hay RdMy mom's ALL-TIME favorite so I had to list it!
Breakfast spot, pretty small and can be busy on weekends with long wait time but the food is great!
17 locals recommend
Waveland Cafe
4708 University AveBreakfast spot, pretty small and can be busy on weekends with long wait time but the food is great!
Tursi's Latin King Italian Dining
2200 Hubbell AveOne of my favorite Italian spots!
Chuck Celsi's Tavern Restaurant
205 5th StPizzzzzzza!
Funky mash-up of an old-school Polynesian cocktail lounge & a red-sauce Italian joint.
42 locals recommend
Fong's Pizza
223 4th StFunky mash-up of an old-school Polynesian cocktail lounge & a red-sauce Italian joint.
Awesome food, coffee, ice cream, you name it! Cute atmosphere, a place you can take your computer and chill all day!
31 locals recommend
Smokey Row Coffee Co.
1910 Cottage Grove AveAwesome food, coffee, ice cream, you name it! Cute atmosphere, a place you can take your computer and chill all day!
Quirky hot spot with an open kitchen dishing up BBQ, Cajun & Caribbean fare plus a bar & live music.
15 locals recommend
Flying Mango
4345 Hickman RdQuirky hot spot with an open kitchen dishing up BBQ, Cajun & Caribbean fare plus a bar & live music.
Family-owned standby for Italian & American grub in a laid-back space with a sporty vibe in the bar.
9 locals recommend
Christopher's
2816 Beaver AveFamily-owned standby for Italian & American grub in a laid-back space with a sporty vibe in the bar.
EL MARIACHI
5825 Merle Hay RdVoted one of the best local restaurants in Des Moines! Great Mexican food.
Entertainment & Activities
Have a drink, eat some food, all while watching your movie! Recommend buying tickets online and reserving seats ahead of time.
19 locals recommend
Flix Brewhouse
3800 Merle Hay RdHave a drink, eat some food, all while watching your movie! Recommend buying tickets online and reserving seats ahead of time.
Indoor trampoline park for all ages! Dodge ball is one of the favorites!
8 locals recommend
Get Air Des Moines
3799 86th StIndoor trampoline park for all ages! Dodge ball is one of the favorites!
Merle Hay Lanes
3800 Merle Hay RdBowling!!!
Go-karts, batting cages, mini-golf, laser tag, snowboarding, sledding & more plus special events.
6 locals recommend
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
4051 Dean AveGo-karts, batting cages, mini-golf, laser tag, snowboarding, sledding & more plus special events.
Science-focused interactive galleries & learning labs plus a planetarium & IMAX cinema. Great for kids!
43 locals recommend
Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr PkwyScience-focused interactive galleries & learning labs plus a planetarium & IMAX cinema. Great for kids!
Climb Iowa - Grimes
3605 SE Miehe DrIndoor rock climbing!
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th StAdventureland Park
305 Adventureland DrPrincipal Park
1 Line DrIowa Cubs field! (Baseball)
Up-Down
500 E Locust StAdult arcade with drinks as an added bonus!
Arts & Culture
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand AveGreater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray DrPappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand AveOutdoor sculpture park!