Top Things to Do in Des Moines
Politicians and 4-H'ers find plenty to do in Des Moines, home to both the capitol and state fair. The central Iowa city also appeals with high-end eats, fine art and the state's largest amusement park.
Do
Adventureland Park
The Dragon Slayer, a 4D Free Spin roller coaster, recently joined 100-plus rides and attractions. Cool off at Iowa's longest lazy river. adventurelandpark.com
Blank Park Zoo
Almost 1,500 animals call the zoo's 22 acres home. Catch a seal show, walk among wallabies and feed giraffes. blankparkzoo.com
Des Moines Art Center
The 5,000-piece collection includes works by Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse and Georgia O'Keeffe. Galleries reflect the styles of architects Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei and Richard Meier. desmoinesartcenter.org
Downtown Farmers Market
On summer Saturday mornings, come for fresh produce, cheeses, meats, flowers, baked goods and crafts. desmoinesfarmersmarket.com
East Village shopping
Between the state Capitol and the Des Moines River, browse Raygun for sassy souvenirs and clothing, Gong Fu Tea for teas and teaware; and Eden for fragrant soaps, candles and lotions. eastvillagedesmoines.com
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
A half-acre pond with seasonal plantings anchors outdoor gardens; tropical plants and a living wall thrive in the domed conservatory. dmbotanicalgarden.com
Iowa State Capitol
Take a free guided tour of the gold-capped Capitol to get the full story of this Renaissance-style structure, built between 1871 and 1886. legis.iowa.gov
Iowa State Fair
Each year, more than 1 million people come looking for spectacles like the Butter Cow and the 1,000-plus-pound Big Boar (August 11–21, 2022). iowastatefair.org
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
One of Robert Indiana's LOVE sculptures was added to the downtown park in 2019, its 10th anniversary. In all, 31 pieces dot the two-block garden area curated by the Des Moines Art Center. desmoinesartcenter.org
Living History Farms
Explore three eras of farms (1700, 1850 and 1900) and an 1875 town with a store, blacksmith shop and school. livinghistoryfarms.org
Science Center of Iowa
The world comes to life in hands-on exhibits: Explore Iowa's natural habitats or learn about the night sky. sciowa.org
State Historical Museum of Iowa
Travel from the past—see a Native American wickiup and a Conestoga wagon—into the present. iowaculture.gov
West End Architectural Salvage
Castoffs-turned-treasures fill four floors in the shop that inspired the HGTV series West End Salvage. westendsalvage.com
Eat + Drink
Alba
The daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. (with $8 burger and fries) makes this a great choice, as do the New American plates of fare, like pork belly rillettes. albadsm.com
Bubba
Southern favorites—fried chicken, shrimp and grits, pimento mac 'n'cheese—sparkle under regionally inspired decor. bubbadsm.com
Cheese Bar of Des Moines
The star dish of the Ingersoll Avenue hot spot is a luscious three-cheese fondue, but elaborate boards, toasts, sandwiches and baked macaroni tempt as well. cheesebardsm.com
Eatery A
The open kitchen turns out wood-fired pizzas and Mediterranean food, such as fattoush and hummus. eateryadsm.com
El Bait Shop
Choices, choices: 262 beers on tap and retro foods (spicy Velvet Elvis Dip, Spam Egg and Cheese sandwiches) from the menu of its neighbor, The High Life Lounge. elbaitshop.com
Exile Brewing Company
Sample high-quality microbrews and delicious fried chicken tender salad in a loft-like setting. And don't forget to snap a selfie in front of the fun mural outside. exilebrewing.com
The Hall
Food sales (burgers, pizza, pub fare) support a culinary job training program for the disadvantaged. Also: Find 54 drinks on tap at the railcar building in Valley Junction. thehalldsm.com
Harbinger
New American and Asian flavors infuse the small plates at this eatery west of downtown. Savory sweet-potato pancakes arrive on stoneware with a side of fennel-citrus salad. harbingerdsm.com
Hello, Marjorie
Sip cocktails like the Editor's Note (bourbon, apricot liqueur, smoked apple bitters) in a colorful space on the first floor of the old Des Moines Register building. hellomarjorie.com
St. Kilda
The family of restaurants from Australian-raised restaurateur Alexander Hall now includes St. Kilda Collective in Valley Junction with variations on healthy modern cuisine such as avocado toast with radish sprouts. Hall replaced East Village's St. Kilda Surf and Turf with Franka Pizzeria in late 2020 and opened a St. Kilda Cafe and Bakery as well as a second Franka Pizzeria in the Des Moines suburb of Clive in 2022. stkildadsm.com
Tursi's Latin King
A family-owned favorite, it has served Italian fare for more than 70 years on the East Side. Try the toasted ravioli. tursislatinking.com
Stay
AC Hotel
The Marriott property in the East Village features sleek, contemporary rooms with hardwood floors. The rooftop Republic on Grand serves craft cocktails and small plates; guests enjoy great downtown views. achotels.marriot.com
Des Lux Hotel
Check into a room or suite with a fireplace and whirlpool, then unwind over a martini in the wood-paneled bar. desluxhotel.com
Embassy Suites by Hilton
The all-suite hotel in the East Village overlooks the Des Moines River. hilton.com
Surety Hotel
Mid-mod decor blends with Beaux Arts architecture in this 1913 downtown building, which recently underwent a top-to-bottom renovation. suretyhotel.com
For information: Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau catchdesmoines.com
More to explore
Des Moines makes a great base for exploring other attractions less than an hour's drive away, including the covered bridges of Madison County, the Iowa Arboretum, Ledges State Park, the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and the Dutch-influenced town of Pella.