Food scene
Pizza 'til 3 a.m.
https://www.theavenuesdsm.com/business/big-tomato-pizza/
6 locals recommend
Big Tomato Pizza
2613 Ingersoll AvePizza 'til 3 a.m.
https://www.theavenuesdsm.com/business/big-tomato-pizza/
Not just old world chocolates, but coffee and gelato too!
Our family has been in the confectionery business for over 200 years. My nephew Hendrikus is our current Master Chocolatier, and he's the great, great, great, great, great grandson of our first baker. We're very proud to offer the highest quality products, but we take even more pride in treating every employee and every customer as an extension of our family. Welcome. -Anthonius Stam, President
16 locals recommend
Chocolaterie Stam
2814 Ingersoll AveNot just old world chocolates, but coffee and gelato too!
Our family has been in the confectionery business for over 200 years. My nephew Hendrikus is our current Master Chocolatier, and he's the great, great, great, great, great grandson of our first baker. We're very proud to offer the highest quality products, but we take even more pride in treating every employee and every customer as an extension of our family. Welcome. -Anthonius Stam, President
Gateway Market
2002 Woodland AveCloser than Whole Foods. Same concept.
Reasonably priced Grab and Go sandwiches. Wide choice of pastry and breads every morning.
https://www.lamiebakery.com/
Established in 2003, La Mie is a favorite Des Moines neighborhood bakery and cafe, located in the city’s Roosevelt Cultural District. Owners, Joe and Christina Logsdon, make it their mission to produce artisan-made breads, pastries and desserts, along with fresh and healthful breakfast ad lunch options, within an energetic and welcoming atmosphere. La Mie has expanded and grown over the years into a vibrant, modern gathering place for neighbors, families, business associates and students alike.
46 locals recommend
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StReasonably priced Grab and Go sandwiches. Wide choice of pastry and breads every morning.
https://www.lamiebakery.com/
Established in 2003, La Mie is a favorite Des Moines neighborhood bakery and cafe, located in the city’s Roosevelt Cultural District. Owners, Joe and Christina Logsdon, make it their mission to produce artisan-made breads, pastries and desserts, along with fresh and healthful breakfast ad lunch options, within an energetic and welcoming atmosphere. La Mie has expanded and grown over the years into a vibrant, modern gathering place for neighbors, families, business associates and students alike.
Voted "Best Breakfast in Des Moines" for over 20 years. A favorite of Tom Brokaw during elections, and there's a breakfast special named for Jason Mamoa. Open Monday through Saturday 6am to 2 pm
17 locals recommend
Waveland Cafe
4708 University AveVoted "Best Breakfast in Des Moines" for over 20 years. A favorite of Tom Brokaw during elections, and there's a breakfast special named for Jason Mamoa. Open Monday through Saturday 6am to 2 pm
WOW!! Recent guest says this place has better ice cream than San Francisco!
7 locals recommend
Black Cat Ice Cream
WOW!! Recent guest says this place has better ice cream than San Francisco!
Harbinger
2724 Ingersoll AveChef has been nominated 7 times for James Beard Best Chef Midwest.
Sightseeing
Here's the website
https://www.madisoncounty.com/the-covered-bridges/
Stop by the Welcome Center at 73 Jefferson Street in Winterset for a map and brochure about visiting the Covered Bridges
Madison County
Here's the website
https://www.madisoncounty.com/the-covered-bridges/
Stop by the Welcome Center at 73 Jefferson Street in Winterset for a map and brochure about visiting the Covered Bridges
Open air sculpture park. Visit any time of day or night. My favorite is Thinker on a Rock. It used to sit in the Papajohn's front yard and my dog and I walked by there regularly because it makes me smile!
78 locals recommend
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand AveOpen air sculpture park. Visit any time of day or night. My favorite is Thinker on a Rock. It used to sit in the Papajohn's front yard and my dog and I walked by there regularly because it makes me smile!
Just 2 blocks away. And it's FREE
des moines art center dot org
87 locals recommend
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand AveJust 2 blocks away. And it's FREE
des moines art center dot org
One of America's Castles, Salisbury House & Gardens is a historic house museum located in Des Moines, Iowa featuring a 42-room estate surrounded by nine acres of beautiful gardens and woodland. It was built from 1923-1928 by cosmetic pioneer and Iowa native, Carl Weeks. Tour this exquisite American estate and its diverse collections of art, literature and worldly treasures.
https://salisburyhouse.org/
14 locals recommend
Salisbury House
4025 Tonawanda DrOne of America's Castles, Salisbury House & Gardens is a historic house museum located in Des Moines, Iowa featuring a 42-room estate surrounded by nine acres of beautiful gardens and woodland. It was built from 1923-1928 by cosmetic pioneer and Iowa native, Carl Weeks. Tour this exquisite American estate and its diverse collections of art, literature and worldly treasures.
https://salisburyhouse.org/
If you visit the Bridges of Madison County, stop in Winterset and visit the Iowa Quilt Museum. https://www.iowaquiltmuseum.org/events/
8 locals recommend
Iowa Quilt Museum
68 E Court AveIf you visit the Bridges of Madison County, stop in Winterset and visit the Iowa Quilt Museum. https://www.iowaquiltmuseum.org/events/
State Capitol buildings are always full of impressive architecture. This modified link is very informative:
desmoinesparentdotcom/tour-the-iowa-state-capitol
56 locals recommend
Iowa State Capitol
1007 E Grand AveState Capitol buildings are always full of impressive architecture. This modified link is very informative:
desmoinesparentdotcom/tour-the-iowa-state-capitol
The Lauridsen Skatepark
901 2nd AvenueLargest skatepark in the country.
Want to get outdoors? Here's the guide:
https://desmoinesoutdoors.com/principal-riverwalk-a-remarkable-trail-in-downtown-des-moines/
Des Moines Riverwalk
Des Moines River TrailWant to get outdoors? Here's the guide:
https://desmoinesoutdoors.com/principal-riverwalk-a-remarkable-trail-in-downtown-des-moines/
Iowa State Fair August 8 -18, 2024
Don't miss the butter cow! It's refrigerated, and a great way to beat the heat!
August 10-20, 2023
Airbnb doesn't allow a link to the website, but details can be found by searching Iowa State Fair
27 locals recommend
Iowa State Fairgrounds
3000 E Grand AveAugust 10-20, 2023
Airbnb doesn't allow a link to the website, but details can be found by searching Iowa State Fair
Outdoor Activities
Access the extensive trail system through this nearby park. You'll find a map of the trail system using this link:
https://www.dsm.city/business_detail_T6_R60.php
17 locals recommend
Greenwood/Ashworth Park & Splashground
4500 Grand AvenueAccess the extensive trail system through this nearby park. You'll find a map of the trail system using this link:
https://www.dsm.city/business_detail_T6_R60.php
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Summer 2024 Catch Des Moines
Search catchdesmoinesdotcom