Renee’s Guidebook of her Favorite City
Sightseeing
Beautiful Statehouse with high outlook on downtown
56 personas locales recomiendan
Capitolio del Estado de Iowa
1007 E Grand AveBeautiful Statehouse with high outlook on downtown
Great place for families and groups to visit. Admission does cost a bit. Beautiful outdoor gardens and courtyard in the summers with live music on Thursdays!
53 personas locales recomiendan
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray DrGreat place for families and groups to visit. Admission does cost a bit. Beautiful outdoor gardens and courtyard in the summers with live music on Thursdays!
Food scene
Our favorite coffee shop and bakery, only a couple minutes from home
19 personas locales recomiendan
Scenic Route Bakery
350 E Locust StOur favorite coffee shop and bakery, only a couple minutes from home
Dairy Zone
2219 E University AveEast Des Moines' favorite ice cream shop, supplied by our local Anderson Erickson Dairy
Rustic and world-class, award-winning brewery just a couple minutes away
14 personas locales recomiendan
Peace Tree Brewing Company - Des Moines Branch
317 E Court AveRustic and world-class, award-winning brewery just a couple minutes away
Great spot to look out on the river and sit on the patio during warm months. Only 2-3 minutes walking distance.
Captain Roy's
1900 Saylor RdGreat spot to look out on the river and sit on the patio during warm months. Only 2-3 minutes walking distance.
Delicious coffee and food items, rustic/Minnesota vibe with fireplace, a job training extension of Freedom for Youth Ministries (Google it!) My out-of-town friends always love checking in here when visiting DSM.
Freedom Blend Coffee
2329 Hickman RdDelicious coffee and food items, rustic/Minnesota vibe with fireplace, a job training extension of Freedom for Youth Ministries (Google it!) My out-of-town friends always love checking in here when visiting DSM.
Authentic French bakery, full breakfast/meal menu, a Des Moines classic
46 personas locales recomiendan
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StAuthentic French bakery, full breakfast/meal menu, a Des Moines classic
A local FAVORITE in May - Aug. Opens at 7am and closes at noon. The earlier you go, the less busy!
16 personas locales recomiendan
Farmers Market
231-299 Water StA local FAVORITE in May - Aug. Opens at 7am and closes at noon. The earlier you go, the less busy!
Neighborhoods
Historic, scenic and warm, Union Park neighbors love the Heritage Carousel and Rocket Slide at the park as well as the nearby bike trail and marina.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Union Park
Historic, scenic and warm, Union Park neighbors love the Heritage Carousel and Rocket Slide at the park as well as the nearby bike trail and marina.
This district is the go-to for siteseeing, good eats and drinks, local shopping and night life. Plus - it's only a couple minutes away, either driving or walking! Be sure to pay your meters if you're parking in the area.
64 personas locales recomiendan
East Village
This district is the go-to for siteseeing, good eats and drinks, local shopping and night life. Plus - it's only a couple minutes away, either driving or walking! Be sure to pay your meters if you're parking in the area.
Consejos para la ciudad
Formas de ahorrar
Iowa State Historical Museum has free admission!
Be sure to check business hours before visiting.
Cómo moverse
Parking meters are live 9am-9pm Mon-Sat downtown
Sundays are free! Also consider walking or Ubering to the East Village - it's super close.
Formas de ahorrar
Downtown parking is FREE after 5pm and on weekends at...
...the parking lot just south of the Courthouse (near Court Avenue and HyVee downtown. The gate sign says FULL, but it's just the default setting for the sign. Take advantage of it!
Costumbres y cultura
Midwesterners are generally and genuinely friendly...
...wave back! : )
Formas de ahorrar
Parking is free on...
the Grand, Walnut, Locust and Court Avenue bridges, most times of the day, most times of the year. The earlier you go out, the better chances you have of getting a spot!