Guidebook for Des Moines
Food Scene
Twisted Bean Coffee Company
4504 Merle Hay RdGreat local coffee shop only minutes away from the Farm-Stay.
The best breakfast spot in town. The food is amazing, great scene, and wonderful fresh made pastries.
46 personas locales recomiendan
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StThe best breakfast spot in town. The food is amazing, great scene, and wonderful fresh made pastries.
This eclectic restaurant is located in the heart of Beaverdale. Chef Zak is very unique and you can't get food like his anywhere else!
Reed's Hollow
2710 Beaver AveThis eclectic restaurant is located in the heart of Beaverdale. Chef Zak is very unique and you can't get food like his anywhere else!
This is a newer restaurant and Chef Joe is well known in the Des Moines area. His small plates feature local produce and the menu is constantly changing with the seasons. Beautiful spot for a date night (not recommended for families).
14 personas locales recomiendan
Harbinger
2724 Ingersoll AveThis is a newer restaurant and Chef Joe is well known in the Des Moines area. His small plates feature local produce and the menu is constantly changing with the seasons. Beautiful spot for a date night (not recommended for families).
This quaint bistro has some of the best food in town. Chef Lynn is a student of cooking, and prides himself in simple, elegant, and locally sourced foods. This is a great spot for lunch or dinner.
Table 128 Bistro and Bar
220 Southwest 9th StreetThis quaint bistro has some of the best food in town. Chef Lynn is a student of cooking, and prides himself in simple, elegant, and locally sourced foods. This is a great spot for lunch or dinner.
Noodle Zoo is family friendly and has a great patio seating area. The menu features soups, salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.
Johnston Noodle Zoo
8705 Chambery BoulevardNoodle Zoo is family friendly and has a great patio seating area. The menu features soups, salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.
This is one of my favorite pizza spots in Des Moines. The pizzas are fabulous, but the salads are also great.
14 personas locales recomiendan
Gusto Pizza Co
2301 Ingersoll AveThis is one of my favorite pizza spots in Des Moines. The pizzas are fabulous, but the salads are also great.
This is a great spot for a high end dinner. Chef Baru makes some of the finest dishes in Des Moines, and he has been a loyal customer of Dogpatch Urban Gardens since our beginning. I recommend the 3 or 6 course meals.
Baru 66
This is a great spot for a high end dinner. Chef Baru makes some of the finest dishes in Des Moines, and he has been a loyal customer of Dogpatch Urban Gardens since our beginning. I recommend the 3 or 6 course meals.
This local Beaverdale spot is a gem. They are known for their brisket! The restaurant is small and has a wonderful atmosphere.
15 personas locales recomiendan
Flying Mango
4345 Hickman RdThis local Beaverdale spot is a gem. They are known for their brisket! The restaurant is small and has a wonderful atmosphere.
Christopher's has a been a restaurant staple in Beaverdale for generations. If you're looking for some classic Italian dishes this is a great place. The bar area is also nice and a favorite spot for locals to catch sports games.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Christopher's
2816 Beaver AveChristopher's has a been a restaurant staple in Beaverdale for generations. If you're looking for some classic Italian dishes this is a great place. The bar area is also nice and a favorite spot for locals to catch sports games.
The Cheese Shop is you place to visit for any cheese/charcuterie needs! They also recently opened a larger restaurant called the Cheese Bar which serves a full menu. I highly recommend both places!
11 personas locales recomiendan
The Cheese Shop
833 42nd StThe Cheese Shop is you place to visit for any cheese/charcuterie needs! They also recently opened a larger restaurant called the Cheese Bar which serves a full menu. I highly recommend both places!
If you need an ice cream fix, Snookie's is THE spot. Keep in mind it is only open seasonally (May - September).
12 personas locales recomiendan
Snookies Malt Shop
1810 Beaver AveIf you need an ice cream fix, Snookie's is THE spot. Keep in mind it is only open seasonally (May - September).
Parks & Nature
Beautiful grounds with great hiking, nature walks, and kids activities!
7 personas locales recomiendan
Jester Park
11121 NW Jester Park DrBeautiful grounds with great hiking, nature walks, and kids activities!
Saylorville Lake
This is a great spot to get outside and enjoy nature.
This lake is a great place to take the family for a picnic, walk, and enjoy the sites. A trip around the lake is 2 miles and there is a park, green space, and you can rent paddle boards/boats to use on the lake.
28 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Gray's Lake
2101 Fleur DrThis lake is a great place to take the family for a picnic, walk, and enjoy the sites. A trip around the lake is 2 miles and there is a park, green space, and you can rent paddle boards/boats to use on the lake.
Ledge's is about a 30 minute drive, and totally worth it! The park has beautiful bluffs and streams. You can also rent a shelter to host a family gathering/event.
31 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Estatal Ledges
1515 P AveLedge's is about a 30 minute drive, and totally worth it! The park has beautiful bluffs and streams. You can also rent a shelter to host a family gathering/event.
This state park has a beautiful landscape and nice hiking trails.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Walnut Woods State Park
3155 Walnut Woods DrThis state park has a beautiful landscape and nice hiking trails.
Arts & Culture
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand AveThis is a great place for a family outing. Learn about the history of farming through different generations.
20 personas locales recomiendan
Living History Farms
11121 Hickman RdThis is a great place for a family outing. Learn about the history of farming through different generations.
We LOVE walking around the sculpture park (especially with kids) and exploring the Downtown area. A bonus is Black Cat Ice Cream is so close to the Sculpture Park!
78 personas locales recomiendan
Parque de Esculturas Pappajohn
1330 Grand AveWe LOVE walking around the sculpture park (especially with kids) and exploring the Downtown area. A bonus is Black Cat Ice Cream is so close to the Sculpture Park!
Shopping
Swell - Shop for Baby
857 42nd StLocally owned baby store with great products!
Locally owned bookstore located in the heart of Beaverdale.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Beaverdale Books
2629 Beaver AveLocally owned bookstore located in the heart of Beaverdale.
Wonderful local candy store well known for their homemade marshmallows.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Saints Pub + Patio Beaverdale
4041 Urbandale AveWonderful local candy store well known for their homemade marshmallows.
Back Country
2702 Beaver AveOutdoor gear and fashionable clothing available in the heart of Beaverdale.
Active Endeavors
4520 University AveGreat store for all outdoor gear!
East Village is a great place to visit in the Downtown Des Moines area. It has many locally owned shops, restaurants, coffee bars, antique stores, etc. It's a fun place to walk around and see the wonderful things Des Moines has to offer.
64 personas locales recomiendan
East Village
East Village is a great place to visit in the Downtown Des Moines area. It has many locally owned shops, restaurants, coffee bars, antique stores, etc. It's a fun place to walk around and see the wonderful things Des Moines has to offer.
Essentials
Target
5901 Douglas AveHy-Vee
8701 Douglas AveThis locally owned grocery store is stocked with unique and locally grown food items. Their restaurant is a great spot as well.
35 personas locales recomiendan
Gateway Market
2002 Woodland AveThis locally owned grocery store is stocked with unique and locally grown food items. Their restaurant is a great spot as well.
Cambell's is a locally owned grocery store that also specializes is healthy living. I highly recommend Campbells if you're in need of any sort of medication, essential oils, vitamins, etc because the staff is very knowledgeable.
Campbell's Nutrition
4040 University AveCambell's is a locally owned grocery store that also specializes is healthy living. I highly recommend Campbells if you're in need of any sort of medication, essential oils, vitamins, etc because the staff is very knowledgeable.
Drinks & Nightlife
If you're looking for a great place to listen to live music this is your spot!
10 personas locales recomiendan
Noce Jazz Club
1326 Walnut StIf you're looking for a great place to listen to live music this is your spot!
515 brews some of our favorite craft beers in town! It also can be family friendly if need be!
9 personas locales recomiendan
515 Brewing Company
7700 University Ave515 brews some of our favorite craft beers in town! It also can be family friendly if need be!
Their downtown location is newer and we love it! If you're a fan of IPA's this place should be high on your list. It is located in East Village which is a great spot in Down Town Des Moines.
14 personas locales recomiendan
Peace Tree Brewing Company - Des Moines Branch
317 E Court AveTheir downtown location is newer and we love it! If you're a fan of IPA's this place should be high on your list. It is located in East Village which is a great spot in Down Town Des Moines.
Confluence is a staple brewery in town. You are welcome to bring kids, and they usually have a food truck set up outside. Another perk is that is it located just minutes from Gray's Lake.
25 personas locales recomiendan
Confluence Brewing Company
1235 Thomas Beck RdConfluence is a staple brewery in town. You are welcome to bring kids, and they usually have a food truck set up outside. Another perk is that is it located just minutes from Gray's Lake.
Entertainment & Activities
The Science Center is a wonderful place to take kids. The IMAX also shows movies that are perfect for the young learner.
43 personas locales recomiendan
Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr PkwyThe Science Center is a wonderful place to take kids. The IMAX also shows movies that are perfect for the young learner.
Tour the zoo and see all the animals. We love the playground inside the area where you can feed the goats, and the train ride!
47 personas locales recomiendan
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th StTour the zoo and see all the animals. We love the playground inside the area where you can feed the goats, and the train ride!
Spend a full day at this great amusement park! There are rides and entertainment for all ages. The park has rides and also a water park in the back, so plan ahead if you plan do participate in both.
46 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Adventureland
305 Adventureland DrSpend a full day at this great amusement park! There are rides and entertainment for all ages. The park has rides and also a water park in the back, so plan ahead if you plan do participate in both.
Principal Park
1 Line DrCatch a ball game!