Des Moines isn’t really considered a tourist destination, and while I’m sure it has a lot to offer (the East Village area was super cute), we only had one hectic week there without much time to explore. We did find a couple of gems which you can read about below:
eat
› Dirt Burger – Excellent Veggie Burgers and Dirt Balls
› Zombie Burger – Yes, any burger can made vegetarian/vegan, but you’re really hear for the shakes
› Fong’s Pizza – You really can’t go wrong with any of these fun and “Fong”ky pizzas
› Splash Seafood Bar & Grill – As fresh as seafood can be in a land-locked state
› Mars Coffee – The pastries are out of this world
see
› Pappajohn Sculpture Park – A nice place to spend an afternoon
› Other public art including murals in the East Village – The Des Moines mural is on the South-West side of the park
do
› Downtown Farmers Market – Lots of great vendors
› Principal River Walk including the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge
day trips
› High Trestle Trail Bridge – It is a ways out of Des Moines, but so worth it. I wish we would have been able to go at night to see it all lit up.
bike
› High Trestle Trail Bridge – There are designated bike trails most of the way there and back from downtown Des Moines. It was worth the many miles it took to get there and back
› Map of Bike Trails and Routes in Des Moines (lots of good trails)
stay
› Staybridge Suites Des Moines Downtown – The breakfast was one of the best hotel buffet breakfasts we have had with lots of options
getting around
› Free Downtown Shuttles – Few and far between
if we go back...
› High Trestle Trail Bridge at night
› American Dream Machines – We passed by and saw some of the vintage cars, but would love to get a closer look
› Get another haircut by Jordan Peterson at Paramount Barbering Co. One of the best I’ve ever had
