Food Scene
This is a restaurant that you MUST eat at! Featuring a menu made up of zombie-movie-inspired burgers, they’re sure to have something on the menu to entice your taste buds! They also feature a full bar and delicious alcoholic and non-alcoholic shakes!
44 locals recommend
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
300 E Grand AveThis is a restaurant that you MUST eat at! Featuring a menu made up of zombie-movie-inspired burgers, they’re sure to have something on the menu to entice your taste buds! They also feature a full bar and delicious alcoholic and non-alcoholic shakes!
This unique pizza parlor is in the heart of downtown and features a unique menu to choose from! Tyler's favorite is the “Iowa Pizza” that features a variety of meats covered in BBQ sauce plus corn to top it off! Payton's favorite is the “Crab Rangoon Pizza,” a must have for all of Des Moines restaurant goers.
42 locals recommend
Fong's Pizza
223 4th StThis unique pizza parlor is in the heart of downtown and features a unique menu to choose from! Tyler's favorite is the “Iowa Pizza” that features a variety of meats covered in BBQ sauce plus corn to top it off! Payton's favorite is the “Crab Rangoon Pizza,” a must have for all of Des Moines restaurant goers.
Drinks & Nightlife
This 90s nerd bar is an excellent place to grab some locally-brewed beers, watch some old-school movies, and play some retro arcade-cabinet video games! They have got everything from Pac Man to House of 1000 Corpses! There is also Skee ball and an N64 hooked up to a 100” projector for some classic Mario Kart!
30 locals recommend
Up-Down
500 E Locust StThis 90s nerd bar is an excellent place to grab some locally-brewed beers, watch some old-school movies, and play some retro arcade-cabinet video games! They have got everything from Pac Man to House of 1000 Corpses! There is also Skee ball and an N64 hooked up to a 100” projector for some classic Mario Kart!
If you're looking for a place to enjoy the excellent weather of Des Moines, the Rooftop is a gem right at the corner of E Grand Ave and E 6th Street. You'll find a nice hideaway to hang out with some friends and enjoy a nice secluded bar that's easy to get to! Definitely a little dressier bar but jeans and a T-shirt are welcome too!
The Rooftop Bar
525 E Grand AveIf you're looking for a place to enjoy the excellent weather of Des Moines, the Rooftop is a gem right at the corner of E Grand Ave and E 6th Street. You'll find a nice hideaway to hang out with some friends and enjoy a nice secluded bar that's easy to get to! Definitely a little dressier bar but jeans and a T-shirt are welcome too!
Shopping
If shopping is what you're looking for, take the longer drive out to Jordan Creek Mall. They have a large selection of stores to choose from as well as excellent dining options on or right off the premises. Open from 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. 11 AM to 6 PM on Sunday.
51 locals recommend
Jordan Creek Town Center
101 Jordan Creek PkwyIf shopping is what you're looking for, take the longer drive out to Jordan Creek Mall. They have a large selection of stores to choose from as well as excellent dining options on or right off the premises. Open from 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. 11 AM to 6 PM on Sunday.
If you don’t want to shop at all the generic stores you find in every mall, head on down to Valley Junction. They have a great assortment of eclectic little shops ranging from antique to boutique. Go to valleyjunction.com for store hours and events! Keep in mind, this is outside so not for rainy weather!
46 locals recommend
Valley Junction
If you don’t want to shop at all the generic stores you find in every mall, head on down to Valley Junction. They have a great assortment of eclectic little shops ranging from antique to boutique. Go to valleyjunction.com for store hours and events! Keep in mind, this is outside so not for rainy weather!
Raygun has one-of-a-kind clothing and trinkets that are all Des Moines or Iowa-based. Definitely worth a look!
20 locals recommend
RAYGUN
505 E Grand AveRaygun has one-of-a-kind clothing and trinkets that are all Des Moines or Iowa-based. Definitely worth a look!
Entertainment & Activities
If you're in the mood for a movie, you must check out this place! They brew a fantastic selection of craft beers including single batches for upcoming movies and the most courteous and attentive staff I've had the pleasure of dealing with! Be sure to check out their Dolby theater that offers superior sound!
19 locals recommend
Flix Brewhouse
3800 Merle Hay RdIf you're in the mood for a movie, you must check out this place! They brew a fantastic selection of craft beers including single batches for upcoming movies and the most courteous and attentive staff I've had the pleasure of dealing with! Be sure to check out their Dolby theater that offers superior sound!
Arts & Culture
This is a neat place to view artistic sculptures in a beautiful park setting right inside downtown Des Moines. Great for a nice sunny day!
78 locals recommend
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand AveThis is a neat place to view artistic sculptures in a beautiful park setting right inside downtown Des Moines. Great for a nice sunny day!
Parks & Nature
Excellent paved walking trail that follows the rim of the lake. Beautiful views and even a beach for swimming! You can also rent paddle boats, sailboats, or kayaks to enjoy the lake from!
28 locals recommend
Gray's Lake Park
2101 Fleur DrExcellent paved walking trail that follows the rim of the lake. Beautiful views and even a beach for swimming! You can also rent paddle boats, sailboats, or kayaks to enjoy the lake from!