Guidebook for Des Moines

Lauren & Terence
Lauren & Terence
Guidebook for Des Moines

Shopping

Only about 5 minutes from our house. All your essential needs to be met here!
7 místní doporučují
Merle Hay Mall
3800 Merle Hay Rd
7 místní doporučují
Only 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 místní doporučují
Jordan Creek Town Center
101 Jordan Creek Pkwy
51 místní doporučují
One 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 místní doporučují
Valley West Mall station
11 místní doporučují
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 místní doporučují
Valley Junction
46 místní doporučují
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 místní doporučují
East Village
64 místní doporučují
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

It's a nice getaway from the city, fresh air, fun trails!
31 místní doporučují
Státní park Ledges
1515 P Ave
31 místní doporučují
It's a nice getaway from the city, fresh air, fun trails!
A relaxing lake to walk around and take in the fresh air.
Grays Lake
Grays Lake
A 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 místní doporučují
Downtown Des Moines
9 místní doporučují
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 místní doporučují
East Village
64 místní doporučují
Modern bars and restaurants! Cute area to shop during the day as well with many local shops.
Bars, nightclubs, drinks, food, fun! More upscale area.
9 místní doporučují
West Glen Town Center
5465 Mills Civic Pkwy
9 místní doporučují
Bars, nightclubs, drinks, food, fun! More upscale area.

Food Scene

Local spot, general bar food, cool patio seating when it's nice out!
10 místní doporučují
Saints Pub + Patio Beaverdale
4041 Urbandale Ave
10 místní doporučují
Local 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 místní doporučují
The Iowa Taproom
215 E 3rd St
23 místní doporučují
HUGE 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 Ave
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!)
Casual, polished brewpub serving specialty beers plus a menu of steak, seafood, pizza & burgers. One of my all-time favorites!
14 místní doporučují
Madhouse Brewery
501 Scott Ave
14 místní doporučují
Casual, 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 Ave
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.
Best cupcakes in town...in my opinion!
Scratch Cupcakery
7450 Bridgewood Blvd
Best cupcakes in town...in my opinion!
Huge salad bar, amazing soups and sandwiches!
Jason's Deli
3910 University Ave
Huge salad bar, amazing soups and sandwiches!
My mom's ALL-TIME favorite so I had to list it!
Twisted Bean Coffee Company
4504 Merle Hay Rd
My 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 místní doporučují
Waveland Cafe
4708 University Ave
17 místní doporučují
Breakfast spot, pretty small and can be busy on weekends with long wait time but the food is great!
One of my favorite Italian spots!
10 místní doporučují
Tursi's Latin King Italian Dining
2200 Hubbell Ave
10 místní doporučují
One of my favorite Italian spots!
Chuck Celsi's Tavern Restaurant
205 5th St
Pizzzzzzza!
Funky mash-up of an old-school Polynesian cocktail lounge & a red-sauce Italian joint.
42 místní doporučují
Fong's Pizza
223 4th St
42 místní doporučují
Funky 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 místní doporučují
Smokey Row Coffee Co.
1910 Cottage Grove Ave
31 místní doporučují
Awesome 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 místní doporučují
Flying Mango
4345 Hickman Rd
15 místní doporučují
Quirky 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 místní doporučují
Christopher's
2816 Beaver Ave
9 místní doporučují
Family-owned standby for Italian & American grub in a laid-back space with a sporty vibe in the bar.
Voted one of the best local restaurants in Des Moines! Great Mexican food.
EL MARIACHI
5825 Merle Hay Rd
Voted 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 místní doporučují
Flix Brewhouse
3800 Merle Hay Rd
19 místní doporučují
Have 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 místní doporučují
Get Air Des Moines
3799 86th St
8 místní doporučují
Indoor trampoline park for all ages! Dodge ball is one of the favorites!
Bowling!!!
Merle Hay Lanes
3800 Merle Hay Rd
Bowling!!!
Go-karts, batting cages, mini-golf, laser tag, snowboarding, sledding & more plus special events.
6 místní doporučují
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
4051 Dean Ave
6 místní doporučují
Go-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 místní doporučují
Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy
43 místní doporučují
Science-focused interactive galleries & learning labs plus a planetarium & IMAX cinema. Great for kids!
Indoor rock climbing!
8 místní doporučují
Climb Iowa - Grimes
3605 SE Miehe Dr
8 místní doporučují
Indoor rock climbing!
47 místní doporučují
Zoo Blank Park
7401 SW 9th St
47 místní doporučují
46 místní doporučují
Adventureland Park
305 Adventureland Dr
46 místní doporučují
Iowa Cubs field! (Baseball)
22 místní doporučují
Principal Park
1 Line Dr
22 místní doporučují
Iowa Cubs field! (Baseball)
Adult arcade with drinks as an added bonus!
30 místní doporučují
Up-Down
500 E Locust St
30 místní doporučují
Adult arcade with drinks as an added bonus!

Arts & Culture

87 místní doporučují
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Ave
87 místní doporučují
53 místní doporučují
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Dr
53 místní doporučují
Outdoor sculpture park!
78 místní doporučují
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand Ave
78 místní doporučují
Outdoor sculpture park!