Katy’s guidebook
Food scene
We love Michael's pizza! They're a low-key family owned pizza joint that knows how to make a great pizza! You won't regret any of their pizza specials; we've probably tried them all!
Michael's Pizza
2629 Beaver AvenueWe love Michael's pizza! They're a low-key family owned pizza joint that knows how to make a great pizza! You won't regret any of their pizza specials; we've probably tried them all!
Super yummy Mexican food! They deliver to our address, too. You must get the queso dip!
Flame the Taqueria
5765 Merle Hay RoadSuper yummy Mexican food! They deliver to our address, too. You must get the queso dip!
One of our favorite local coffee shops! Drive-thru and inside seating available. Their acai bowls are also amazing - make sure to get it with peanut butter!
Twisted Bean Coffee Company
4504 Merle Hay RdOne of our favorite local coffee shops! Drive-thru and inside seating available. Their acai bowls are also amazing - make sure to get it with peanut butter!
If you like cheese, this is your place! Fondue, raclette, cheeseboards, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, and more. The beer and wine selections are amazing, too!
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Cheese Bar
2925 Ingersoll AveIf you like cheese, this is your place! Fondue, raclette, cheeseboards, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, and more. The beer and wine selections are amazing, too!
Hiland Bakery
3615 6th AveGreat local donut shop! Be prepared to wait in line for a bit, but it's well worth it!
What this place lacks in fanciness, it makes up for in delicious donuts! Family owned and operated, the owner will always give kids a free donut hole when you show up!
Donut Hut
4941 Douglas AveWhat this place lacks in fanciness, it makes up for in delicious donuts! Family owned and operated, the owner will always give kids a free donut hole when you show up!
Smokey Ds BBQ
601 Locust StGreat local BBQ joint!
Awesome local sushi, Chinese, and Thai. Simple, yet delicious! Delivery available through Grubhub.
Wasabi Chi
5418 Douglas AveAwesome local sushi, Chinese, and Thai. Simple, yet delicious! Delivery available through Grubhub.
If you like ice cream, you must visit Black Cat! Soooo good!
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Black Cat Ice Cream
If you like ice cream, you must visit Black Cat! Soooo good!
Super yummy food! Caribbean, BBQ, and more. Unique flavors, awesome service... you can't go wrong!
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Flying Mango
4345 Hickman RdSuper yummy food! Caribbean, BBQ, and more. Unique flavors, awesome service... you can't go wrong!
Great local coffee! Near Hiland Bakery, so definitely make a stop at both. Try the honey lavender latte!
The Slow Down Coffee Co.
3613 6th AveGreat local coffee! Near Hiland Bakery, so definitely make a stop at both. Try the honey lavender latte!
Great food! Fantastic happy hour from 3-6pm - half-price wine, beer and wood-fired pizzas!
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Eatery A
2932 Ingersoll AveGreat food! Fantastic happy hour from 3-6pm - half-price wine, beer and wood-fired pizzas!
Another local favorite and located nearby. They were a food truck now turned brick and mortar. The owners are incredibly nice, and the food is always delicious. They have great daily specials that they list on their Facebook page, too.
Curbin Cuisine
1325 Beaver AveAnother local favorite and located nearby. They were a food truck now turned brick and mortar. The owners are incredibly nice, and the food is always delicious. They have great daily specials that they list on their Facebook page, too.
Sightseeing
This is a must-visit for anyone traveling through Des Moines! A 3-mile paved walking path around the lake is the perfect place to take an afternoon stroll, see local wildlife, see views of downtown Des Moines, and get some fresh air. During the warmer seasons you can rent boats from the boathouse. The bridge lights up at night, and is a really fun thing to see in person if you're able to stop by at nighttime, too.
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Gray's Lake Park
2101 Fleur DrThis is a must-visit for anyone traveling through Des Moines! A 3-mile paved walking path around the lake is the perfect place to take an afternoon stroll, see local wildlife, see views of downtown Des Moines, and get some fresh air. During the warmer seasons you can rent boats from the boathouse. The bridge lights up at night, and is a really fun thing to see in person if you're able to stop by at nighttime, too.
Jester Park is a wonderful place to visit! There are so many things to do - hiking, snowshoeing, canoeing, camping, golfing, and more. If you're traveling with kids, the nature center and the natural playscape are a must visit! The natural playscape is near the elk and bison areas, too, which is always fun to see.
Jester Park Nature Center
12130 NW 128th StJester Park is a wonderful place to visit! There are so many things to do - hiking, snowshoeing, canoeing, camping, golfing, and more. If you're traveling with kids, the nature center and the natural playscape are a must visit! The natural playscape is near the elk and bison areas, too, which is always fun to see.
This is a hidden gem of a park for hiking and exploring! To access the main trail, walk south from the parking lot along the park road, go around the gate, and the trailhead is just to your left. This is a great park to visit with kids - there is a secret, "hidden" playground that kids just love finding on their own (hint: it's up the tall wooden staircase)! This is also an easy hike to make short or long depending on your preferences.
Margo Frankel Woods State Park
This is a hidden gem of a park for hiking and exploring! To access the main trail, walk south from the parking lot along the park road, go around the gate, and the trailhead is just to your left. This is a great park to visit with kids - there is a secret, "hidden" playground that kids just love finding on their own (hint: it's up the tall wooden staircase)! This is also an easy hike to make short or long depending on your preferences.
Another great local hiking choice near our Airbnb. With trails of varying lengths that runs along the river, this is a great choice for a quick hike that gets you outdoors!
Sycamore Trails
4640 NW 66th AveAnother great local hiking choice near our Airbnb. With trails of varying lengths that runs along the river, this is a great choice for a quick hike that gets you outdoors!
One of the best farmer's markets in the country! If you're visiting on a Saturday morning between May and October, you MUST head down to the farmer's market! Pre-covid this was the largest farmer's market in the Midwest! While things have slowed down a bit, it's still just as much fun with plenty of vendors, music, art, and more.
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Des Moines' Downtown Farmers’ Market
300 Court AveOne of the best farmer's markets in the country! If you're visiting on a Saturday morning between May and October, you MUST head down to the farmer's market! Pre-covid this was the largest farmer's market in the Midwest! While things have slowed down a bit, it's still just as much fun with plenty of vendors, music, art, and more.
If you like local art and sculptures, this is a great place to visit! Located downtown it's fun to walk around anytime day or night.
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Πάρκο Γλυπτικής Pappajohn
1330 Grand AveIf you like local art and sculptures, this is a great place to visit! Located downtown it's fun to walk around anytime day or night.
Neighborhoods
If you like window shopping and visiting cute, local stores, this is your neighborhood for it! Everything about Valley Junction is cozy and inviting. This is a great place to find some local gifts, Iowa souvenirs (check out the Heart of Iowa store!), unique art, and more. They also have a local farmer's market with live music and vendors every Thursday in the summer.
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Valley Junction
If you like window shopping and visiting cute, local stores, this is your neighborhood for it! Everything about Valley Junction is cozy and inviting. This is a great place to find some local gifts, Iowa souvenirs (check out the Heart of Iowa store!), unique art, and more. They also have a local farmer's market with live music and vendors every Thursday in the summer.
A beautiful neighborhood located just east of downtown near the capitol building. Lots of local, eclectic, and unique shops, stores, and restaurants to visit. We personally love Raygun!
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East Village
A beautiful neighborhood located just east of downtown near the capitol building. Lots of local, eclectic, and unique shops, stores, and restaurants to visit. We personally love Raygun!
We love the Beaverdale area! We're mostly biased because we live in the area, but we fell in love with this spot before we even moved here. We love walking around the town square area - there are some great shops! Backcountry Outfitters, Beaverdale Bikes, Grounds for Celebration (coffee), Beaverdale Confections, Dam Pub, Curbin' Cuisine, Michael's Pizza, and more!
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Beaverdale
We love the Beaverdale area! We're mostly biased because we live in the area, but we fell in love with this spot before we even moved here. We love walking around the town square area - there are some great shops! Backcountry Outfitters, Beaverdale Bikes, Grounds for Celebration (coffee), Beaverdale Confections, Dam Pub, Curbin' Cuisine, Michael's Pizza, and more!
Beer / Wine Scene
Great local brewery! Located just off the bike path near Gray's Lake, it can be fun to combine your visit to both places at once.
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Confluence Brewing Company
1235 Thomas Beck RdGreat local brewery! Located just off the bike path near Gray's Lake, it can be fun to combine your visit to both places at once.
Des Moines's only local winery! Located near Gray's Lake, they have a gorgeous outdoor patio area. Jasper winery is very family-friendly, too! Kids can run around and play on the spacious lawn area. You are welcome to bring your own food in to enjoy, too. Open everyday for tastings and flights, you must try some local (yummy) Iowa wine while you're here! On Thursday nights from May - August they have live music, and food for purchase. It's guaranteed to be a great time!
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Οινοποιείο Jasper
2400 George Flagg PkwyDes Moines's only local winery! Located near Gray's Lake, they have a gorgeous outdoor patio area. Jasper winery is very family-friendly, too! Kids can run around and play on the spacious lawn area. You are welcome to bring your own food in to enjoy, too. Open everyday for tastings and flights, you must try some local (yummy) Iowa wine while you're here! On Thursday nights from May - August they have live music, and food for purchase. It's guaranteed to be a great time!
Super yummy beer! Good selection of sour beer and other unique flavors. Great food, too!
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Lua Brewing
1525 High StreetSuper yummy beer! Good selection of sour beer and other unique flavors. Great food, too!
515 Brewing Company
7700 University AveLocal favorite! No fuss, just great beer.
Another favorite brewery of ours! They have a great outdoor seating area, and even feature different kinds of cider and kombucha, too. Their root beer is AMAZING - a kid favorite for sure!
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Peace Tree Brewing Company - Des Moines Branch
317 E Court AveAnother favorite brewery of ours! They have a great outdoor seating area, and even feature different kinds of cider and kombucha, too. Their root beer is AMAZING - a kid favorite for sure!