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Capital and most populous city of Iowa, US
Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant), CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is in the western region of the American Midwest. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the annual site of the Iowa State Fair and numerous cultural festivals during warm weather months. History enthusiasts will find 110 historic sites in and around the city as part of the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The city appeals to travelers with an interest in the arts who marvel at the architecture of the State Capitol with its five domes, including the large main dome with its gleaming 23-karat gold surface. The city has a good art museum, a symphony that performs in the downtown Civic Center (along with opera, ballet, and other performing arts), and a big annual arts festival that draws visitors from across Iowa and beyond.
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One of the more popular state capitols to tour, it is easy to spot it with its sparkling 23-karat gold leaf dome and four-surrounding smaller copper-topped domes. Those wishing to see the inside from a bird's eye view will climb 298 steps before reaching the top from their start on the second floor. Historic flags, some hailing from the U.S. Civil War-era, are on display, and tour staff are available during all hours in which the capitol is open to visitors. Don't overlook the State Law Library, one of the most beautiful and ornate libraries in the world. Cafeteria is on the bottom floor.
The house, built between 1923-1928, features Tudor, Gothic, and Corolean styles all throughout its 42 rooms. Also shelters many artifacts, including objects of art, furniture, tapestries and books. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has labeled it a "national treasure" and the property has also been featured on A&E and Home and Garden Television. Hosts many events during the year, including chamber music concerts, Gatsby Gala, Salisbury Automobile Classic, group meetings and Shakespeare on the Lawn.
Governor's Mansion
Since 1971, has served as home for the Governor and First Family of Iowa during his or her term. The site was the home of Iowa's first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, with construction beginning in 1866 after being designed by William Boyington (designer of the Water Tower of Chicago which survived the Great Fire). Aptly named as it sits atop the Raccoon River.
The Center boasts a permanent collection of contemporary art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including works from Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, Georgia O'Keeffe, Henri Matisse, and Francis Bacon. It also boasts a restaurant with a 5-star rating from The Des Moines Register, featuring a different menu weekly and open for lunch only.
Western Gateway Park
Opened in 2009, the sculpture garden was a centerpiece of an urban revitalization project and it occupies most of Western Gateway Park downtown. It showcases more than $40 million in publicly displayed modern art. The sculpture garden is curated by the Des Moines Art Center. Family friendly area with open spaces for picnics, walking trails, and receptacles for dog waste (pick up after your pooch!) A public restroom is available. Parking is in metered spaces on adjacent streets.
Exhibits include a venture into Iowa's past when glaciers pushed their way through and mammoths roamed the plains, state's frontier and prairie past where kid-friendly activities such as pushing a plow or carrying buckets with a shoulder yoke can be had. Fossil, Native American, wildlife, and Iowa U.S. Civil War flags on display. Cafe Baratta's inside.
The Center hosts six different experience platforms including Science is Where You Find it (including exhibits Kitchen Chemistry and Physics in the Field), When Things Get Moving (including Design a Propeller and Robot Run), Who are We? (including Color my World and In Your Genes), Why the Sky? (including Cosmic Video Jukebox and Viewing the Night Sky, in addition to planetarium shows in the 50-foot dome), Small Discoveries (including Bubble Bay and World of Wonder, all geared toward children 7 and under), What on Earth? (including Iowa Habitats, Ant Farm, and the WHO-TV Weather Studio) and limited exhibits in Principal Hall.
Permanent exhibits and activities, such as "Behind the Scenes" tours and "Feed the Giraffes", all throughout the year. Also hosts several special events throughout the year, including Zoo Brew (geared towards those 21+).
Particularly popular during cold Iowa winters. Special events and learning modules all throughout the year. Connected to the parking lot is the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens with a featured Asian pavilion, built in honor of the Asian Americans who immigrated to Iowa in the late 1970s and of former Gov. Ray.
Started in the late-1990s after promoters decided to replace the 40-year running "Art in the Park." Attendance of around 250,000 people each year. Over 150 artists--from all over the country--bring their original creations to be seen and purchased. In addition to the various forms of art you'll see, there are also stages offering entertainment and food vendors selling their own edible creations.
Each year, the Fair draws around 1 million visitors through its gates. Has a variety of things to see and do, much of it based around agriculture, the arts and food. At night, the beer tents and Grandstand come alive (past performances by Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, The Jackson Five, and Reba McEntire). Park (cheaper) near the capitol building and take an MTA bus over to the fairgrounds, or park closer in front yards of residents (more expensive).
The 1½-day event is still in its infancy but is improving each year. The event typically takes place at Drake University but has been at the zoo or downtown in the past. More than 40 vendors--most of which are local--provide food for hungry patrons. It's a good way to try new creations from area restaurants and for not a whole lot of cash. Alcoholic drinks are also available.
Antique and classic automobiles of a by-gone era are on display in one of the most unique car show settings in the U.S. It has been called the "Pebble Beach of the Midwest" by Old Cars Weekly (in reference to the famous Pebble Beach Auto Councour). All proceeds going to benefit the historic Salisbury House.
The venue boasts a multi-million dollar fine art collection and a 1,400-seat performance theater with exceptional acoustics. The gallery and theater are additions to the original 1887 mansion of Des Moines distinguished banker and businessman Hoyt Sherman, which was a society showplace of the grandest scale. Offers gallery and mansion tours and a year-round performance calendar.
Since 1937. Concerts are held at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines in downtown.
United States Hockey League (USHL) Tier 1 team member. Very close to the ice no matter where one sits.
Drake University sports, competing in most sports as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and also in the Pioneer Football League for that sport only.
Arguably the nation's top outdoor track & field event. Past participants include Michael Johnson, Bruce Jenner, Gwen Torrence, Natasha Kaiser-Brown, and Jeremy Wariner.
World Triathlon Corporation's 5150 Series Championship and IronKids triathlons take place downtown, as does the namesake triathlon.
Arena football team in the new AFL. Tailgaiting in the adjacent parking lot is perhaps just as busy as the game. Bear the name of the team Kurt Warner played for before making it in the NFL.
Member of the Triple-A East (one level below the Major Leagues) and the top farm team of the Chicago Cubs. The team is consistently near the top of attendance figures each year. Great view of downtown. Usually have fireworks every Friday night.
Member of the National Basketball Association G League. Affiliated with the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves.
An outdoor interactive agricultural museum, Living History Farms gives people of all ages a new way of enjoying history. It has special events throughout the year. Historical interpreters explain and demonstrate the lifestyles of the 1700s Ioway Indians, the 1850 pioneers, the townspeople of 1875, and 1900 farmers.
Iowa's largest theme park with over 100 rides, shows, and attractions. The water park has 13 water slides, 6,000-sq ft swimming pool, and a bar where patrons can swim up and order a drink, then perhaps drift away on the longest lazy river in the state.
A popular location for boats, swimmers, and fishing enthusiasts. The lake is much smaller than Saylorville. Trails, shooting range, and picnic facilities on-site.
For those wanting a chance to see the area at their own pace, 300+ mi of trails available for use. The trails are expanding each year and they offer a great way for visitors to see the quieter parts of the area as well as getting a chance to enjoy the outdoors. Cross-country skiing in the winter.
Busy at all times of day, urbanites of all ages come to breathe in the fresh air or get in their workout before heading heading home or to their cubicle. 167-acre park with a 1.9-mi paved track encircling the lake. Paddle boats, canoes, sailboats and bikes may be rented. A small beach area for swimming. Restrooms and grills provided, while some fishing and bird watching also takes place around the edges.
One of central Iowa's most popular places for water activities, including boating, swimming, and fishing. Also has camping facilities, hiking trails, wildlife areas, and two golf courses--Tournament Club of Iowa (designed by Arnold Palmer) and Jester Park--nearby.
Various sports throughout the summer and winter seasons. Summer options include batting cages, go-Karts, sand volleyball, golf, mini golf, driving range, and climbing wall. Winter sports include skiing, snowboarding, and tubing--lifts available for all. Rental equipment available.
Horse racing, sports betting, gaming tables, slot machines, restaurants and drinks, live music and occasional concerts.
Hotel and RV park available.
Family-owned and -operated since 1922. In 2008, the readers of The Des Moines Register voted their Dad's Killer as the "Best Deli Sandwich" in the city and many subsequent "best of" awards by locals. The Food Network's "Outrageous Food" featured the Killossal Sandwich, a combo of four sandwiches, in May 2011.
Few sit-down restaurants can match the goodness of the most popular menu item, the 1/4-lb. hamburger. If the weather's nice, you can sit under an umbrella and listen to classics from the 1950s and 1960s. The burgers are so good they've won the "Best Burger in Des Moines" award more than 10 years running (per Cityview).
Near the downtown nightlife area. Carry out or delivery only.
The original location, founded on January 26th, 2009, in the former King Ying Low, Des Moines' oldest operating Chinese restaurant. Elements of King Ying Low's history and décor were kept and the current Fong's Pizza menu is inspired by a fusion of Asian, Italian, and Polynesian cooking styles paired with the tropical and fun flavors of a Tiki bar.
French-style bakery featuring all the goods you'd imagine, with quality omelets and coffee. High ceilings and modern setting make it a popular place to dine for all 3 meals rather than simply carry out fare. Outdoor patio on the back with a few tables. Can also find offerings at Downtown Farmer's Market.
Local fast food joint rivaling taste of some of the sit-down places.
If you're expecting a fancy diner, then you better get lost. This place is for the real Saturday morning crowd and a good place to recover from a hangover. If it was legal to light up a smoke, this is where you'd get no gruff from fellow patrons.
A popular local burger joint with a humorous undead theme — the decor inside is rife with references to zombie flicks — and lots of creative burger and milkshake creations. The menu is full of intriguing options worth exploring but of particular note is "the Walking Ched," a beef patty atop fried mac and cheese with bacon. The fries and shakes are also excellent. A bar in the back serves draft beers and cocktails.
If the number of years one's been in business is the standard way to rate, few in Des Moines could mess with Chuck's more than 50-year reign on the northside of Des Moines. Chuck's has proven if you take old classics, such as spaghetti and meatballs, meatloaf, and steak, and treat them with respect, you'll be in the neighborhood for a long time. Excellent pizza.
North Side Diner in Johnston and West End Diner in West Des Moines
Drake location is the original location. Favorites such as omelets, French toast, reubens, crinkle-cut fries, and bacon cheeseburgers and Drake's own "Bulldog burger" dominate the menu (all three Diner's feature the Maytag Burger, oozing with Iowa's own Maytag blue cheese). During nice weather, there's a screened-in patio available to sit. Shakes and malts are made with Des Moines's very own Anderson and Erickson Dairy Ice Cream.
Began as a catering business but when their uniquely smoked Cajun and Creole creations caught on, they soon started to get a bigger loyal following. Full wine list.
Quickly earning locals' favor. Featured on the third season of the TV series Man v. Food, where host Adam Richman tried (and failed) to conquer the Adam Emmenecker Challenge (named after the former Drake basketball star).
French-Japanese fusion in the East Village.
A Des Moines classic specializing in Italian food. Thin crust pizza. Convenient for those visiting the airport.
Central Iowa's only kosher deli offers traditional New York-style Jewish deli sandwiches, as well as kosher groceries, bread, wine, and hard-to-find favorites.
A Des Moines classic, the restaurant features a mobster theme. Excellent prime rib (the house specialty), served in several sizes, an extensive salad bar, and a number of seafood offerings. Large portions.
Being atop the Principal Building, along with their class of wines, steaks and seafood, 801 has a reputation for the city's nicest restaurant. The fare is amongst the best downtown, with freshness and ingredients resembling the prime rib (rare, get it?) being their ticket to success.
pronounced Chentro
Italian fare featuring terrific coal fired pizzas. Specialize in $8.50 martinis.
A restaurant with a great reputation for serving up quality prime rib and Italian dishes for over 50 years. The restaurant is larger than it appears from outside.
Cosi's
Traditionally known as one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in the area, with over 30 wines by the glass. Fresh bread and minestrone. According to their Website, it was once voted Best Italian Restaurant and Most Romantic Restaurant. Small and also near some other bars and trendy clubs.
Quality surf and turf offerings. A local standby nearing 50 years in the area. Lunch offerings will save you a few bucks from dinner prices.
The Latin King
One of the longest-standing restaurants in the area (since 1947), the Italian cuisine and beautiful restaurant setting will please anyone with a desire for a bit of originality. Very busy during the lunch hour, particularly when the state's legislative branch is in session. Small patio available. Full wine list.
Greenbriar
In 2003, The Des Moines Register awarded the restaurant with 4-stars and several awards from reader polls. Prime rib, seafood, aged steaks, rack of lamb and duck are featured on the menu. For those seeking a casual dining experience, the bar is available in addition to the outdoor patio (during warm months). Live music on various nights.
Farm-to-table with ninety percent of HoQ's ingredients being organic, locally sourced within about 50 miles of the restaurant, and fresh from the farm.
High-end American fare with a large wine selection in a building whose architecture was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Quality meat department. A popular rural grocery chain with several urban locations as well.
If you're looking for a down-to-earth but nice atmosphere place where you can get a great cup of java or a nifty shot of espresso, pull up a chair. One of the owners' great-grandfather owned a coffee shop across from a castle in Charlottenburg, Germany and spirit has passed to the next generation. The owners, a husband and wife team, opened their first coffee shop only a few months after returning from Costa Rica.
Lots of tea pots and bulk tea available as well. Very clean establishment.
Wonderful place for fresh coffee, tea, and gelato and some lunch items. The coffee beans are from the cafe's privately owned cropland in Panama. Consistently rated as one of Des Moines' best coffeehouses. All locations offer free WiFi.
Features local art displayed around the coffee house. Great spot to sit and drink a cup or talk, study. Sit at the coffee bar or a table. Serves great breakfast. Sells their amazing beans as well so you can enjoy their coffee at home. Very friendly to all walks of life. Also provides catering services and can be reserved for private parties and meetings. You can also order their beans online or over the phone to be shipped.
Featuring plenty of snack foods (BBQ chicken spring rolls $8), sandwiches (Niman Ranch Jambon Royale $10), and plates such as New York Strip ($20). Outdoor seating available.
Neighborhood tiki bar atmosphere and a mid-century modern Palm Springs resort aesthetic.
List of 105 beers via tap or bottle from a lot of west coast brewers not so popular in Iowa. Mexican and BBQ fare available, as well as a working shower. Rent fishing supplies, as well.
Bar in the East Village with vintage decor and small-town atmosphere located in the former Daniel Brothers Super Service Station, built in 1929.
If you order a pint, the whole place will look at you and ask, "What's wrong?" so it's best to get a half-liter. Although they do serve the mass-produced American standbys the reason it's popular is for the more than 15 German beers they offer. Serve wine and a full array of cocktails and traditional German food, too.
CABCO
Beers made on-site are featured and are the only ones available (Bud Light addicts need not enter). Live music a few nights a week, including jazz. The food is equally delicious. Outdoor patio and gluten-free menu available. Martini specials on Saturdays.
This is the place to go on Court Avenue if you want a good urban setting and a multitude of imported draft and bottled beers to from which to choose--nearly 30 on tap and over 100 bottled brews. More than 85 varieties of Scotch whisky as well. Downstairs is the English pub, Royal Mile, while upstairs is the Belgian themed Red Monk, with a wide variety of Belgian imports, including Trappist ales.
A "must visit" for drinkers who want to experience Iowa beer in one place since the bar features beers and ciders from every craft brewery in the state of Iowa (even from far-flung places like Dubuque). The center area of the bar is a formidable "turret of taps" with more than 100 draft brews available. The menu focuses on down-home country cooking with specialties like bread pork chops with big desserts like a decadent bread pudding.
Large microbrewery whose canned beers are carried in Hy-Vee stores throughout the area, as well as by many bars and restaurants. The brewery has a taproom that welcomes visitors to sample just about everything they brew, including rarer small batch styles and special bottlings of barrel aged beers. The brewery is known for its excellent quality control and its ability to brew both ales and the more technically demanding larger styles. A large outdoor patio deck overlooks a hiking and biking trail that runs between downtown and nearby Grays Lake.
Brewpub and microbrewery in a historic warehouse, brews a wide range of both ale and lager styles. Casual bar with outdoor patio and a large indoor dining room for dinner. The best beers tend to be their German-style seasonal beers, including dark lagers, a nutty-sweet marzen style (Octoberfest), and similar beers. They also produce a line of hard seltzers. Live music Sunday afternoons starting at 5pm.
Big brewpub whose dining room was once the showroom of the largest Chevrolet dealer in Des Moines. They kept the big glass windows but replaced the shiny Impalas with a central bar serving the brewery's mostly ale-styles, sours, and seltzers. They do a line of IPAs that are variations on their "Eddy" brand. The best brews are their malty dark beers, when they're available: their coffee stout is luxuriously smooth.
The second incarnation of Twisted Vine is in a restored historic building in the East End. They brew about a dozen beers, both ales and lagers, and also have a full bar with mixed drinks and guest ciders. The tastiest brew is a hefty Belgian Triple. They also do a nice, malty porter and if you're lucky, they'll have their unusual white stout.
Includes breakfast, wifi, indoor pool, and in-room appliances.
Indoor pool, fitness room, breakfast, Mexican restaurant and buffet attached.
Complimentary breakfast, free high-speed Internet access, business center, indoor pool and whirlpool, and fitness center.
Offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the only indoor water park in the Des Moines area.
Classy moderately priced hotel with interesting quirks and architectural details. Rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished and public spaces filled with antiques and artworks. Some rooms have fireplaces and hot tubs. Definitely an escape from "cookie cutter" hotel chains.
Posh, upscale hotel. Rooms are modern, and the hotel features a rooftop bar and lounge with views of the nearby Iowa State Capitol.
Picked as one of 2006 Top Ten Most Romantic Inns by American Historic Inns.
Member of the National Register of Historic Places. Famous former guests include Charles Lindbergh, Elizabeth Taylor, Henry Fonda, Nikita Khrushchev, Joe Louis, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and several U.S. Presidents.
Formerly the historic Savery Hotel, built in the 1800s, it is now operated by Marriott. Features Bos Restaurant, which sources from local and regional vendors to create contemporary Midwestern fare. Connected to the 3.5-mi Des Moines Skywalk. No two rooms are the same. Free 24-hour airport shuttle.
285 guest rooms and suites with in-room Internet and flat-screen televisions. On-property dining includes the Park Place Restaurant and the Waterfall Grille. The hotel features 15 convention rooms totaling 23,000 square feet of meeting space.
Built in 1918 as the Hippie Building, this is a traditional upscale hotel that was renovated in 2018 and is now managed by Marriott as part of their Autograph Collection. Rooms are clean and have firm mattresses with quality linens. Classy restaurant off the lobby with good food and drink. Off-street parking is expensive and in a different building.
Get a taste of rural Iowa each Saturday morning. Fresh produce, pastries, wines, cheeses, art and jewelry, and more are all available for those wishing to taste and view. Event takes place rain or shine.
Fans of home makeover reality TV will make this a high point of their Des Moines trip because the shop was the star of the TV program West End Salvage, which followed owner Don Short and his team as they went into buildings slated for demolition to rescue unique fixtures, trim, advertising signs, and other interesting architectural oddities, all of which would end up for sale in this 4-story warehouse. Visitors are welcomed at a coffee bar and invited to take their cup of latte or macchiato with them as they browse the amazing collection of fascinating treasures from the past.
By plane
By bus
The Burlington Trailways-Jefferson Lines Bus Terminal is at 1501 2nd Ave. Greyhound doesn't serve Des Moines directly but they do offer through-ticketing with both bus lines.
By train
By rental car
The airport is a popular place to get a rental car and has the following rental companies present next to the baggage claim area: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.
By bus
By bicycle
Drivers in Des Moines are generally courteous, and there is ample shoulder room or sidewalks to avoid a date with a jalopy.
By taxi
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