Liz’s guidebook
Food scene
These are our favorite places to eat, closer to our house and the SouthSide of Des Moines. When I travel, a personal preference, I don't like to eat some where I can eat at home, so we didn't list any chains but yes, Des Moines has them all!
We love this place! Local place, fun and cool atmosphere, close to our house but not in the downtown craziness. Good burgers, fries, and beer! It is kid friendly. They have a small
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Angry Goldfish Pub & Eatery
2301 SW 9th StWe love this place! Local place, fun and cool atmosphere, close to our house but not in the downtown craziness. Good burgers, fries, and beer! It is kid friendly. They have a small
Pizza & Authentic Italian Food, dive in or carry out. Not a super huge place but amazing food and great staff! They do have some outdoor seating as well. Also serves alcohol and non-alcohol drinks. They sell pizza by the slice at lunch.
Mama Mia’s Pizza and Sandwiches
Pizza & Authentic Italian Food, dive in or carry out. Not a super huge place but amazing food and great staff! They do have some outdoor seating as well. Also serves alcohol and non-alcohol drinks. They sell pizza by the slice at lunch.
Established in 1981, Skip’s is an American style restaurant with a wide variety of menu options ranging from appetizers, soups or salads to pasta, steak and seafood. Also a full service bar with premium liquors, bottled/draft beers and an extensive wine list. A little more "dressy"
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Skip's
4000 Fleur DrEstablished in 1981, Skip’s is an American style restaurant with a wide variety of menu options ranging from appetizers, soups or salads to pasta, steak and seafood. Also a full service bar with premium liquors, bottled/draft beers and an extensive wine list. A little more "dressy"
Italian food, literally in the middle of a neighborhood on the southside of Des Moines. Pastas, Pizza's, Sandwiches, Chicken, Steak, BBQ Ribs, Pork Chops, Seafood, Desserts! Little bit of everything. BUSY on the weekends.
Baratta's Restaurant
2320 S Union StItalian food, literally in the middle of a neighborhood on the southside of Des Moines. Pastas, Pizza's, Sandwiches, Chicken, Steak, BBQ Ribs, Pork Chops, Seafood, Desserts! Little bit of everything. BUSY on the weekends.
If you like beer, you will LOVE the Taproom. A beer hall-style setting in downtown Des Moines with 99 taps featuring all Iowa craft brews and a variety of American food favorites. 99 Taps from over 35 Iowa Breweries Browse the beers. Good food too! And a CupCake shop next door.
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The Iowa Taproom
215 E 3rd StIf you like beer, you will LOVE the Taproom. A beer hall-style setting in downtown Des Moines with 99 taps featuring all Iowa craft brews and a variety of American food favorites. 99 Taps from over 35 Iowa Breweries Browse the beers. Good food too! And a CupCake shop next door.
Old School restaurant, local, can't go wrong with an item on the menu. Since 1946, it’s been Noah’s Ark’s goal to provide the residents of the Des Moines area with a different kind of dining experience. Neapolitan style pizza
Noah's Ark
2400 Ingersoll AveOld School restaurant, local, can't go wrong with an item on the menu. Since 1946, it’s been Noah’s Ark’s goal to provide the residents of the Des Moines area with a different kind of dining experience. Neapolitan style pizza
We have ate here a few times. Modern look, the have a patio, some unique menu items (Citrus Kale Power Salad) Haven't had anything bad there but not a huge menu. Park in the back and they will validate your ticket.
(From their website....) For generations, Des Moines’s west side has been a major melting pot of families from both schools. “Teddy” (a reference to Theodore Roosevelt) “Maroons” (Dowling’s mascot) represents a long tradition of friendship and the fun-loving rivalry centered on Ingersoll Avenue.
Teddy Maroon's
2301 Ingersoll AveWe have ate here a few times. Modern look, the have a patio, some unique menu items (Citrus Kale Power Salad) Haven't had anything bad there but not a huge menu. Park in the back and they will validate your ticket.
(From their website....) For generations, Des Moines’s west side has been a major melting pot of families from both schools. “Teddy” (a reference to Theodore Roosevelt) “Maroons” (Dowling’s mascot) represents a long tradition of friendship and the fun-loving rivalry centered on Ingersoll Avenue.
Sightseeing
These are Des Moines top sightseeing opportunities! Go explore, we love Des Moines.
We live on the Southside of Des Moines which is also the home of the Des Moines Blank Park Zoo! We love the Zoo! It is not huge so you can spend 5 hours there or 1, depending on your schedule, love for animals, and kids or not.
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블랭크 공원 동물원
7401 SW 9th StWe live on the Southside of Des Moines which is also the home of the Des Moines Blank Park Zoo! We love the Zoo! It is not huge so you can spend 5 hours there or 1, depending on your schedule, love for animals, and kids or not.
Explore the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, a vibrant, seven-acre public garden in the heart of downtown Des Moines. With progressive design, innovative programming and dynamic exhibits, socialization and respite for gardening enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
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그레이터데모인식물원
909 Robert D. Ray DrExplore the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, a vibrant, seven-acre public garden in the heart of downtown Des Moines. With progressive design, innovative programming and dynamic exhibits, socialization and respite for gardening enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 24 of the world’s most celebrated artists. 4.4 acres, right at the entryway to downtown Des Moines.
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파파존조각공원
1330 Grand AveCelebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 24 of the world’s most celebrated artists. 4.4 acres, right at the entryway to downtown Des Moines.
아이오와주의사당
1007 E Grand AveThe Iowa State Capital.
Opened in 1948, the Des Moines Art Center is the perfect stop-off for art lovers with an interest in modern art.
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디모인아트센터
4700 Grand AveOpened in 1948, the Des Moines Art Center is the perfect stop-off for art lovers with an interest in modern art.
Entertainment
Wells Fargo Arena
233 Center StWells Fargo Arena is host to many concerts and shows.
Built in 1877, Hoyt Sherman place is a family home with a grand historic theater. Host to many small crowd shows, comedians, Holiday shows, Political speakers, etc.
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Hoyt Sherman Place
1501 Woodland AveBuilt in 1877, Hoyt Sherman place is a family home with a grand historic theater. Host to many small crowd shows, comedians, Holiday shows, Political speakers, etc.
Wooly's is the place to go for entertainment you may not get elsewhere, small venue to see artists up-close. It is a bar.
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Wooly's
504 E Locust StWooly's is the place to go for entertainment you may not get elsewhere, small venue to see artists up-close. It is a bar.
Confluence is a local brewery close to our home and Gray's Lake. No food is served unless they have a food truck in the parking lot. But you can take food in or have it delivered. Awesome beers! Fun place.
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Confluence Brewing Company
1235 Thomas Beck RdConfluence is a local brewery close to our home and Gray's Lake. No food is served unless they have a food truck in the parking lot. But you can take food in or have it delivered. Awesome beers! Fun place.
Adventureland is a family-owned amusement park in Altoona, Iowa. It is marketed as featuring over 100 rides, shows and attractions. Lots of rides tailored to all ages.
Adventureland Drive
Adventureland DriveAdventureland is a family-owned amusement park in Altoona, Iowa. It is marketed as featuring over 100 rides, shows and attractions. Lots of rides tailored to all ages.
Principal Park, formerly Sec Taylor Stadium, is a minor league baseball stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. It is the home field of the Pacific Coast League's Iowa Cubs.
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Iowa Cubs
1 Line DrivePrincipal Park, formerly Sec Taylor Stadium, is a minor league baseball stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. It is the home field of the Pacific Coast League's Iowa Cubs.
Eat, Drink, Play. Pickleball, Ping Pong, Darts, Bocce Ball, Giant Connect Four, Giant Jenga, Yard Dice, Foosball, Golden Tee, Board Games, more. Some games are inside, some outside.
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SMASH PARK
6625 Coachlight DrEat, Drink, Play. Pickleball, Ping Pong, Darts, Bocce Ball, Giant Connect Four, Giant Jenga, Yard Dice, Foosball, Golden Tee, Board Games, more. Some games are inside, some outside.
**Note, look up address, we heard they might be moving. A BYOB place with games. Ping Pong, Darts, Foosball, Bags, Shuffleboard, Billiards, lounge. Gets pretty busy on the weekends but earlier in the evening and week nights isn't bad.
Ricochet
502 Locust Street**Note, look up address, we heard they might be moving. A BYOB place with games. Ping Pong, Darts, Foosball, Bags, Shuffleboard, Billiards, lounge. Gets pretty busy on the weekends but earlier in the evening and week nights isn't bad.
If you like Wine, this is the closest Winery. We LOVE to go to Jasper in the Summer, on Thursday nights they have an outdoor concert series. Kids welcome at the outdoor concerts.
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재스퍼 와이너리
2400 George Flagg PkwyIf you like Wine, this is the closest Winery. We LOVE to go to Jasper in the Summer, on Thursday nights they have an outdoor concert series. Kids welcome at the outdoor concerts.
Located in the Downtown Historic Court District of the city, this farmers’ market is ideal if you want to support the local community and find over 300 local vendors all selling their wares in the same place.
These include farmers, bakers, and artisans, and the market has been running for over 40 years, so know that you are in good hands with some of the best local producers in the business.
Farmers who sell their wares at the market come from all 58 counties of Iowa and you can expect local fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs to be sold here, as well as delicious meats.
There is entertainment in the form of live music and street performers throughout the day.
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데모인즈 다운타운 팜머스 마켓
300 Court AveLocated in the Downtown Historic Court District of the city, this farmers’ market is ideal if you want to support the local community and find over 300 local vendors all selling their wares in the same place.
These include farmers, bakers, and artisans, and the market has been running for over 40 years, so know that you are in good hands with some of the best local producers in the business.
Farmers who sell their wares at the market come from all 58 counties of Iowa and you can expect local fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs to be sold here, as well as delicious meats.
There is entertainment in the form of live music and street performers throughout the day.
For anyone who likes science, or for parents looking for a rainy day activity for children, the Science Center of Iowa is an ideal place to come.
At the center you will find over 110,000 square foot of science related exhibits and galleries, many of which take the form of interactive laboratories.
This means that children can get hands-on as they learn all about science, and there is also an IMAX theater here that can seat over 200 spectators at one time and shows educational films about science
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Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr PkwyFor anyone who likes science, or for parents looking for a rainy day activity for children, the Science Center of Iowa is an ideal place to come.
At the center you will find over 110,000 square foot of science related exhibits and galleries, many of which take the form of interactive laboratories.
This means that children can get hands-on as they learn all about science, and there is also an IMAX theater here that can seat over 200 spectators at one time and shows educational films about science
Below-ground bar for retro 80s & 90s arcade games & weekly specials, with craft beer & cocktails. This places gets very busier the later you get in the night. We love their old school pin ball machines!
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Up-Down
500 E Locust StBelow-ground bar for retro 80s & 90s arcade games & weekly specials, with craft beer & cocktails. This places gets very busier the later you get in the night. We love their old school pin ball machines!
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee is a grocery store, all your needs from Pharmacy to Bakery, to breakfast, Health Market with special diet needs, etc.
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Hy-Vee
4605 Fleur DrHy-Vee is a grocery store, all your needs from Pharmacy to Bakery, to breakfast, Health Market with special diet needs, etc.