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Rusty & Denise Green here! Like you, we've been stuck in our homes for much too long over this past year and went a little stir crazy. We couldn't wait to get out and about – it really made us stop and appreciate where we live, and just how many things there are to do in Des Moines. We wanted to share our favorites with you.
We should start this article off by saying that though we wish we were, we are not affiliated or being compensated by any of the below establishments for posting this. We just love them that much – truly.
Though most of our content shared here is all-things remodeling (which is just how we like it), we also believe that community is where. it's. at. Choosing to live in the Des Moines area makes you part of a big ol' family, and when we enter a client's house for the first time, it's the beginning of a friendship. And friends share their secrets! So, without further adieu, here's our personal favorite list of things to do in Des Moines.
Our Personal Des Moines, IA Favorites
Dining
Overall Restaurant: Fresko
Restaurant for Outdoor Dining: Django
Restaurant to Bring Your Pet: Kinship Brewery
Shopping
Local Shop #1: The Cheese Shop
Local Shop #2: Rusty's ultimate favorite is Hobby Haven, Denise loves Amazon ;)
Outdoor Activities
Hiking: Ledges State Park
Camping: Black Hawk State Park and Lake MacBride State Park – we love to camp!
Cultural
Historical Sites: Iowa State Capitol tour
Museum: Des Moines Art Center
Miscellaneous
Place to See a Concert: Hoyt Sherman Place
Place to See a Play: Des Moines Playhouse
Favorite Place for Live Music: Noce
Favorite Bar: El Bait Shop
Other Things To Do in Des Moines
If you've ever asked yourself, "what is there to do in Des Moines, IA today?", you're in luck. The answer is, there's a lot to do.
Popular Des Moines attractions – from restaurants to bars and boutiques – there's a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you're a local or just here for a weekend, the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce is a great resource, and their Community Calendar can guide you in the right direction.
We Did the 'Googling' For You
In case anything on our personal list of attractions didn't catch your eye, we decided to make it easy on you and give you some ideas based on commonly-searched Des Moines area 'things to do'.
Google, bring up search results for "Des Moines Attractions"
- Blank Park Zoo: This zoo is home to lions, tigers, turtles, penguins, pandas, and more! With a focus on wildlife conservation and education, the Blank Park Zoo is a must-visit.
Google, bring up search results for "Des Moines Restaurants"
- Bubba: Denise is a southern girl at heart – born and raised in Florida. Bubba fills the southern cuisine void in her heart (stomach?) with their down-home favorites and southern hospitality. Plus, they have lots of whiskey choices.
- Aposto at the Scala House: Picture this – it's a Saturday night and your mother-in-law offered to watch your kids. You and yours finally get to enjoy a nice meal at a place that doesn't have chicken tenders on the menu. But where? Does this magical place exist? It sure does. Southern Italian cuisine served at a candlelit table, with wine pairings for days, in a Victorian mansion. Seriously.
- Exile Brewing Company: What would a restaurant list be without a brewery? Exile Brewing Co. has a patio, so that's automatically a "yes". Stop in and enjoy their homemade brews, have some pub fare, and take a tour of the brewery!
Google, bring up search results for "Hiking and Biking in Des Moines"
- Brown's Woods Trail: A 3.2-mile loop in West Des Moines is dog friendly (must be leashed) and considered moderate in difficulty. A well-trafficked, year-round-accessible path will lead you through lush greenery with views of the Raccoon River. Winter lovers rejoice: cross country skiing is welcome on this trail!
- Carl Voss Trail: This popular 4.9-mile out-and-back walking and biking path is paved, making it accessible for most! The trail newly connects downtown Des Moines and Easter Lake and dotes equal parts scenic city and nature views.
- High Trestle Trail: A 25.0-mile point-to-point walking, biking, running, and dog-friendly trail is wheelchair accessible and has the ability to - if you're really adventurous - take you from Ankeny to Woodward! Or, more likely, from wherever you parked to wherever you decide to turn around. Why's it called the High Trestle Trail, you ask? Welp, because part of the trail brings you over a really cool trestle with eccentric steel decor. Truly a sight to see!
Love Living in Des Moines But Not Loving Your Home? We Can Fix That!
We hope you enjoyed reading about all the fun things to do in Des Moines. The Hawkeye/Cyclone State may be landlocked, and it may not boast tall peaks or deep valleys, but there's still plenty to do.
Despite all of these great attractions and activities, the place you likely spend most of your time in Des Moines is in your home. If all that time staring at your kitchen, bathroom, basement, and bedrooms has you itching for an upgrade – our team of design-build remodeling experts have your back!
Contact us today, and let's get started. As always, don't stop at "good enough" – make it Compelling.
