Des Moines, IA
Neighborhoods
One of the oldest, largest, and most diverse neighborhoods in Des Moines. There are college students, young professionals, middle-aged professionals and retirees. The neighborhood is flat & great for walking, people are out walking dogs and children at all times of day.
Drake
One of the oldest, largest, and most diverse neighborhoods in Des Moines. There are college students, young professionals, middle-aged professionals and retirees. The neighborhood is flat & great for walking, people are out walking dogs and children at all times of day.
Ingersoll Ave, about a mile south, is known as restaurant row. Diverse restaurants, bars and a great walking neighborhood make it a destination for tourists and locals.
Ingersoll Avenue
Ingersoll AvenueIngersoll Ave, about a mile south, is known as restaurant row. Diverse restaurants, bars and a great walking neighborhood make it a destination for tourists and locals.
Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch
Great Des Moines places for breakfast, brunch and lunch!
Excellent cafe for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Amazing, huge pork tenderloin sandwiches.
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gateway Market
2002 Woodland AveExcellent cafe for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Amazing, huge pork tenderloin sandwiches.
Excellent place to stop for coffee and a bite to eat. They serve light breakfasts and lunches and room to stay if you want to spend a few hours.
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Smokey Row Coffee Co.
1910 Cottage Grove AveExcellent place to stop for coffee and a bite to eat. They serve light breakfasts and lunches and room to stay if you want to spend a few hours.
Fantastic breakfasts if you can get seating. It's one of Jason Momoa's favorite places to eat when he's visiting his mom here.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Waveland Cafe
4708 University AveFantastic breakfasts if you can get seating. It's one of Jason Momoa's favorite places to eat when he's visiting his mom here.
Everything here is fantastic, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mullets
1253 1300 SE 1st StEverything here is fantastic, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Make reservations for the weekend Bottomless Bombshell Brunch, with several all-you-can-eat stations and bottomless mimosa & bloody mary bars. Plan for a nap afterwards!
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Americana
1312 Locust StMake reservations for the weekend Bottomless Bombshell Brunch, with several all-you-can-eat stations and bottomless mimosa & bloody mary bars. Plan for a nap afterwards!
Bagels that are worth the drive! Wonderful breakfast sandwiches, coffee drinks, & lunches. I highly recommend the French toast bagel with New York cheesecake schmear.
5 Borough Bagels
13435 University AveBagels that are worth the drive! Wonderful breakfast sandwiches, coffee drinks, & lunches. I highly recommend the French toast bagel with New York cheesecake schmear.
Worth a visit for the authentic French pastries, try the rhubarb croissant! They also bake fresh breads and serve breakfast and lunch.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StWorth a visit for the authentic French pastries, try the rhubarb croissant! They also bake fresh breads and serve breakfast and lunch.
Pizza
F&O's / Felix and Oscars
4050 Merle Hay RoadOld school authentic deep dish pizza & pasta, always incredibly good!
You've seen it on the Travel Channel & Alton Brown loves their food! Home of the original Crab Rangoon pizza and other zenfully delicious appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches and desserts. Think Chinese Cheesesticks, Thai Chicken pizza, a Suffering Bastard tiki drink and Raspberry Cheesecake egg rolls for dessert. I've never had a bad item here in my years of eating here. Don't miss the Tiki drinks if you dine in!
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fong's Pizza
223 4th StYou've seen it on the Travel Channel & Alton Brown loves their food! Home of the original Crab Rangoon pizza and other zenfully delicious appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches and desserts. Think Chinese Cheesesticks, Thai Chicken pizza, a Suffering Bastard tiki drink and Raspberry Cheesecake egg rolls for dessert. I've never had a bad item here in my years of eating here. Don't miss the Tiki drinks if you dine in!
Relocating to Ingersoll Avenue, Gusto has excellent pizza, salad and apps.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gusto Pizza Co
2301 Ingersoll AveRelocating to Ingersoll Avenue, Gusto has excellent pizza, salad and apps.
Parlor
4041 Urbandale AvenueA newer pizza place, excellent Detroit-style pizza.
Dive Bars & Bar Food
Like a '70's Midwest basement, but with great Midwest food and drinks. Don't miss the broasted chicken!
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The High Life Lounge
200 Southwest 2nd StreetLike a '70's Midwest basement, but with great Midwest food and drinks. Don't miss the broasted chicken!
Largest craft beer selection west of the Mississippi! Over 260 American craft brews on tap and more than 75 more in bottles. I don't drink beer, but they also have hard cider on tap. Located above the High Life Lounge, you can order their excellent food and easily spend hours here.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Bait Shop
200 SW 2nd StLargest craft beer selection west of the Mississippi! Over 260 American craft brews on tap and more than 75 more in bottles. I don't drink beer, but they also have hard cider on tap. Located above the High Life Lounge, you can order their excellent food and easily spend hours here.
If there were a dive bar equivalent to Simon's, it would be Carl's. Carl's seems to be everyone's favorite dive bar, from townies and hipsters to international media and politicians come Caucus time. Surprisingly spacious, it's a great place to play pool or darts, listen to a band, or watch a game saddled up to the bar while enjoying the underrated craft beer list.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carl's Place
1620 Woodland AveIf there were a dive bar equivalent to Simon's, it would be Carl's. Carl's seems to be everyone's favorite dive bar, from townies and hipsters to international media and politicians come Caucus time. Surprisingly spacious, it's a great place to play pool or darts, listen to a band, or watch a game saddled up to the bar while enjoying the underrated craft beer list.
Not to judge a book by its cover, but we were already in love with this bar just based on the name. Located in a basement behind RoCA, this low ceiling lounge is a great place to chill and catch a game while knocking back some cold ones, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Court Avenue above you. The somewhat fancy part comes into play in that you can order food from the RoCA menu upstairs. Diver bars and charcuterie plates? Yes, please.
Shorty's Somewhat Fancy Bar
208 Court AvenueNot to judge a book by its cover, but we were already in love with this bar just based on the name. Located in a basement behind RoCA, this low ceiling lounge is a great place to chill and catch a game while knocking back some cold ones, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Court Avenue above you. The somewhat fancy part comes into play in that you can order food from the RoCA menu upstairs. Diver bars and charcuterie plates? Yes, please.
Restaurants
A traditional British pub, the Mile features a menu of favorite English dishes, British beers and an extensive Scotch list. Voted “One of America’s Best Bars” by Esquire Magazine, rated “Exceptional” by Beer Advocate, voted Draft Magazine’s 100 Best Beer Barsm voted by Des Moines as Best Downtown Bar, Best Bar Food and more.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Royal Mile
210 4th StA traditional British pub, the Mile features a menu of favorite English dishes, British beers and an extensive Scotch list. Voted “One of America’s Best Bars” by Esquire Magazine, rated “Exceptional” by Beer Advocate, voted Draft Magazine’s 100 Best Beer Barsm voted by Des Moines as Best Downtown Bar, Best Bar Food and more.
Great Cajun/Creole restaurant. Recognized year after year for their gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp creole and many other classics. Menu also includes seafood, steaks, pastas, fantastic appetizers and desserts. Home of “Crappy Beer Night.”
Buzzard Billy’s
615 3rd StreetGreat Cajun/Creole restaurant. Recognized year after year for their gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp creole and many other classics. Menu also includes seafood, steaks, pastas, fantastic appetizers and desserts. Home of “Crappy Beer Night.”
If you like horror films, don't miss this! Excellent burgers, sandwiches and shakes in a fun atmosphere.
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
300 E Grand AveIf you like horror films, don't miss this! Excellent burgers, sandwiches and shakes in a fun atmosphere.
Proof pushes the envelope of Midwestern cuisine, blending the old world with the new by using local ingredients in all of its dishes. We believe heavily in the experience - a guided tour through the menu, and a knowledgeable staff equipped with great recommendations and a few surprises up their sleeves. A passion for hospitality, compelling food and drink, and the anecdotes behind it all is the fuel that drives us.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Proof Restaurant
1301 Locust StProof pushes the envelope of Midwestern cuisine, blending the old world with the new by using local ingredients in all of its dishes. We believe heavily in the experience - a guided tour through the menu, and a knowledgeable staff equipped with great recommendations and a few surprises up their sleeves. A passion for hospitality, compelling food and drink, and the anecdotes behind it all is the fuel that drives us.
Things To Do
Don't miss one of the best farmer's markets in the nation!
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Des Moines' Downtown Farmers’ Market
300 Court AveDon't miss one of the best farmer's markets in the nation!
This longtime botanical center is housed in a geodesic dome and a wonderful escape when it's cold out!
53 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray DrThis longtime botanical center is housed in a geodesic dome and a wonderful escape when it's cold out!
Our local amusement park, great for families.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Adventureland
305 Adventureland DrOur local amusement park, great for families.
Zoo Blank Park
7401 SW 9th StHead to Flix Brewhouse to see some of the newest releases on the big screen. Serving up some of the top brews in town, movie snack classics, a full bar and a large menu, Flix Brewhouse is one of the best places to watch a movie in Greater Des Moines.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Flix Brewhouse
3800 Merle Hay RdHead to Flix Brewhouse to see some of the newest releases on the big screen. Serving up some of the top brews in town, movie snack classics, a full bar and a large menu, Flix Brewhouse is one of the best places to watch a movie in Greater Des Moines.
Located minutes from downtown in Pleasant Hill, Great Escape is great place for family fun. Great Escape offers bowling, cosmic bowling, laser tag and a game room. Social Eats & Crafts is a full restaurant inside Great Escape, allowing visitors to grab a bite to eat between all the laser tag and bowling fun.
Great Escape - The Ultimate Experience
655 NE 56th StLocated minutes from downtown in Pleasant Hill, Great Escape is great place for family fun. Great Escape offers bowling, cosmic bowling, laser tag and a game room. Social Eats & Crafts is a full restaurant inside Great Escape, allowing visitors to grab a bite to eat between all the laser tag and bowling fun.
Bring out your inner rock climber and head to Climb Iowa East Village. Climb Iowa East Village offers 3,000 square feet of bouldering with over 100 problems and state-of the-art Rogue training equipment.
Climb Iowa - East Village
150 East 4th StreetBring out your inner rock climber and head to Climb Iowa East Village. Climb Iowa East Village offers 3,000 square feet of bouldering with over 100 problems and state-of the-art Rogue training equipment.
Smash Park is a one-of-a-kind social entertainment and events venue with backyard-style street food and hand-crafted cocktails. Featuring Iowa’s largest patio and over 40 HD TV’s it’s Des Moines’ new game day home base. Smash Park is equipped with eight pickleball courts, shuffleboard, bocce ball, ping pong and more!
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
SMASH PARK
6625 Coachlight DrSmash Park is a one-of-a-kind social entertainment and events venue with backyard-style street food and hand-crafted cocktails. Featuring Iowa’s largest patio and over 40 HD TV’s it’s Des Moines’ new game day home base. Smash Park is equipped with eight pickleball courts, shuffleboard, bocce ball, ping pong and more!
See the world's cutest animal, the alpaca. And there's a whole host of them down in Winterset, Iowa, just waiting to populate your social media feed. Visit on Saturdays (it's FREE) from 10 am – 4 pm to cuddle with your new furry best friend and pick up an alpaca fur hat, scarf or pair of socks at the gift shop afterward.
Rusty Stars Alpacas
2054 Rustic LaneSee the world's cutest animal, the alpaca. And there's a whole host of them down in Winterset, Iowa, just waiting to populate your social media feed. Visit on Saturdays (it's FREE) from 10 am – 4 pm to cuddle with your new furry best friend and pick up an alpaca fur hat, scarf or pair of socks at the gift shop afterward.
Starting in the Spring each year, head down to Cumming, Iowa, and get fresh produce and food from the vendors at Middlebrook Farm. But this is no ordinary small-town farmer's market. It's part of a larger "agrihood" – a community of 1,000 homes build around a working farm and community gardens. Still evolving, it's a gathering space that hosts events and interactive opportunities throughout the summer and will be connected to the community via pedestrian trails and main-street-style parking. It's as charming as it sounds.
Middlebrook Farm
4300 Cumming AvenueStarting in the Spring each year, head down to Cumming, Iowa, and get fresh produce and food from the vendors at Middlebrook Farm. But this is no ordinary small-town farmer's market. It's part of a larger "agrihood" – a community of 1,000 homes build around a working farm and community gardens. Still evolving, it's a gathering space that hosts events and interactive opportunities throughout the summer and will be connected to the community via pedestrian trails and main-street-style parking. It's as charming as it sounds.
Hoyt Sherman Place offers an intimate theater experience, a beautiful historic mansion, and a majestic art gallery. Ever since Hoyt Sherman completed his family home in 1877, the venue has been a vibrant cultural destination where people can connect with art, music, history, and one another. This unique space is also available for public, private, and corporate events.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hoyt Sherman Place
1501 Woodland AveHoyt Sherman Place offers an intimate theater experience, a beautiful historic mansion, and a majestic art gallery. Ever since Hoyt Sherman completed his family home in 1877, the venue has been a vibrant cultural destination where people can connect with art, music, history, and one another. This unique space is also available for public, private, and corporate events.
Museums
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand AveState Historical Museum
600 E Locust StJordan House
2001 Fuller RdSalisbury House
4025 Tonawanda DrIowa Gold Star Military Museum
7105 NW 70th AveThe Science Center of Iowa engages and inspires visitors by bringing learning to life. Centrally located in downtown Des Moines, SCI features interactive exhibits and unique programming to encourage learning and fun for all ages. With live science demonstrations, a 50-foot planetarium and rotating exhibits, there's always more to explore!
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr PkwyThe Science Center of Iowa engages and inspires visitors by bringing learning to life. Centrally located in downtown Des Moines, SCI features interactive exhibits and unique programming to encourage learning and fun for all ages. With live science demonstrations, a 50-foot planetarium and rotating exhibits, there's always more to explore!