Location: Des Moines
Top Things to do in Des Moines
What to do and see in Des Moines, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Today the capital city and cultural center of Iowa is revitalized. A versatile destination everyone will enjoy, Des Moines has an itinerary for almost every interest. Culture and art enthusiasts may want to roam through the Des Moines Art Center, spend the weekend museum-hopping or attend a Broadway-caliber performance at the Civic Center. Golfers can spend their time and energy teeing up at any of the area's fine championship courses. The Blank Park Zoo and the Iowa State Fairgrounds should be on the list for families. And gardeners will savor the fantastic blooms at the Botanical Center and the Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden. Mix it up a little and sample all this "big city with a small town heart" has to offer.
Restaurants in Des Moines
1. Capitol Building
Overall Ratings
5 based on 680 reviews
Reviewed By ksyentes - Des Moines, Iowa
Worked at the Capitol during the Legislative season for a decade. During that time, the building was painstakingly restored to its original beauty. The Victorian detail which had been painted over was rediscovered and replicated. I never drive by, approach, or enter the Capitol building without immense appreciation for its beauty and stateliness. Be sure to take the official tour to learn the history, unique attributes, and especially the trip to the dome. Don't miss the fabulous law library, and take time to read the many quotes on walls throughout the building.
For historical/educational purposes, visit during the Legislative session (January-April). For Capitol beauty, music and panoramic sunsets, other times to enjoy the view are 1. Music Under the Stars (Sunday PM June-July), and 2. Yankee Doodle Pops near the 4th of July. I would rate Yankee Doodle Pops one of the Top Ten things to do in Iowa!
2. Downtown Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
Reviewed By redmesastudio - Santa Fe, New Mexico
One of the nicest downtown settings for a farmers market. Located near the river and is the middle of everything. This market shows off the beauty of this midwest city and the vendors are excellent. There is also live entertainment and prepared food so you can snack and be entertained as you check out the vendor booths. All terrific Iowa produce and some excellent ethnic vendors as well.
3. Iowa State Fairgrounds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 757 reviews
For 11 days in August, it’s a fairground, but for the other 354 days of the year, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is home to auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows and more. See what’s happening this month at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Reviewed By Kim H - Cortez
The iowa state fair management has decided to exclude horse competitions from Jacobson arena except from August to October. Funds were raised for the Jacobson facility to be a horse and livestock facility. Now after the namesake, Mr. Jacobson has passed, they are eliminating horse shows and competitions.
4. Gray's Lake Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Reviewed By hazmatt457 - Des Moines, Iowa
Gray's Lake is a beautiful place on the near Southside of Des Moines in a wonderful setting. It is surrounded by a paved walking and biking trail approximately 5 miles long that includes a beautifully illuminated pedestrian bridge that is an amazing sight at night. It's possible to rent kayaks and paddle boats and there is a concession stand open during the warm months. The north side of Grayslake has a nice Beach area and there is ample parking. The south side of the lake offers beautiful views of downtown Des Moines and the State Capitol. Across Fleur Drive that runs along the west side of the park is Des Moines Water Works Park. This to, is a beautiful park that stretches west for a few miles along the Raccoon River and has hiking and biking trails and a number of lakes and ponds of various sizes. Camping is not allowed at Gray's Lake Park but there are picnic tables and many nice and scenic places to enjoy a picnic. There is typically a nice breeze coming off the lake that helps cool some of the hot days. During the summer months there are music concerts on the patio venue above the concession stand with basic food and drinks served. There is an incredible hiking and biking trail that connects to the Grays Lake Park Trail making it possible to travel from the lake to nearby downtown Des Moines or from the downtown area to the lake. It is about 5 miles between the two locations. The area is very family-friendly and many people will walk the part of the trail that includes the illuminated pedestrian bridge at night.
5. Principal Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By chicago90Phoenix - phoenix
This is the iconic place for a minor league baseball team summer evening event. Great location in a great downtown with lots of adorning fans. Great experience!
6. Des Moines Art Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 249 reviews
This internationally acclaimed museum houses impressive works by artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keefe and Henri Matisse. The center, which also offers art classes, consists of three buildings, each designed by a celebrated architect: Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei and Richard Meier.
Reviewed By Carole M - Des Moines, United States
We just toured that Art Center in November. There is an interesting display of plastic wrap that is a hanging tunnel for people to go through. Our young grandson was impressed with the displays. There are many other pieces of art that are changed from time to time that makes this a very enjoyable visit.
7. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 557 reviews
Open to visitors since September 2009, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 of the world's most celebrated artists. The 4.4 Acre park, located within a major crossroads of the urban grid, creates a pedestrian friendly entranceway to downtown Des Moines. This accessible setting, coupled with the skilled landscape design and caliber of the art, makes it unlike any other sculpture park in the United States. The Pappajohns' contribution of 28 works for the park is the most significant donation of artwork ever made to the Des Moines Art Center.
Reviewed By Daveptaz - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Walked around this park on a Saturday afternoon in early March. Didn't find the brochures about each installation, but the have plaques at each one with some info. We especially liked the circled, color mirror installation. We spent about an hour wandering around.
8. Des Moines Civic Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
Reviewed By O5997QZkarens - Menlo, Iowa, United States
We attend every Concert when Joe Bonamasa performs at The Civic Center. Not a Bad Seat in the House here!! It's cool inside so you do not sweat, Last we were there as this year in March to hear Joe Which if you want to see a Guy that KNOWS How to play a Guitar then you need to Google him and have a listen. The Civic Center is amazingly a place to enjoy good fabulous Musicians perform.
9. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 286 reviews
Reputed for its huge collection of the Midwest's ornamental and native plants, this 14-acre center bordering the Des Moines River features a domed conservatory that houses over 1000 varieties of exotic plants from throughout the world. The center also has an impressive herb garden, tropical and desert plants, and one of the best bonsai collections in the U.S.
Reviewed By GramsB487 - Des Moines, Iowa
Great restaurant, good conference facilities, with opportunity to visit the Botanical Garden. The Garden itself is small, but has a winding path that shows a nice variety of plants and trees, with a stream running through. Could spend 15 minutes or 2 hours, depending on your time and in-depth interest.
10. Blank Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 536 reviews
Imagine a place where you can have a wild family adventure viewing rhinos or feeding a giraffe while also helping preserve animals for future generations. A portion of the proceeds from your visit to Blank Park Zoo is used to protect animal populations throughout the world. For 2017 see a very rare eastern black rhino baby, as well as a baby giraffe, elands and Bactrain camels. Blank Park Zoo is approximately 30 acres and features an indoor rain forest Discovery Center, Jamaa Kwa Africa, Australia Adventure, Kids Kingdom, Great Cats Complex, a Sea Lion and Seal pool and more. Open 9 am - 5 pm, May 1 - Sept 30. Open 10 am - 4 pm, October 1 - April 30.
Reviewed By Nicole D - Minnesota
We went in November, so a few animals were off exhibit already (giraffes, wallaby, ect) but there were still quite a few out! Saw all the big cats, rhino, camels, plus all the inside animals. We liked the main building where the birds just roam around uncaged. 4 stars instead of 5 because there was a lot of construction going on and the noise in the building was ridiculous. We felt bad for the animals.
Big parking lot and friendly employees!
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