Use the free DART D-Line to make getting around Greater Des Moines easy! The D-Line runs from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Parking is available along the route at any parking meter. Meters are free after 9 p.m. and on Sundays. Parking garages are also located at E 2nd St. and E Grand Ave ($1 per hour) and E Grand Ave and Pennsylvania Ave (free). 

Explore the D-Line by following this DART itinerary - or mix it up and make it your own!

9:00 a.m. Start the day off sweet with breakfast at Molly’s Cupcakes! It’s located just a few steps away from stop #3995 at E 3rd St. and Walnut St. in the Historic East Village. Enjoy one of their classics, like chocolate or vanilla, or opt for a specialty flavor like s'mores or tiramisu.

Or, if sugary breakfasts aren't your thing, starting at Plain Talks Books & Coffee might be more up your alley. You can start your day with a breakfast sandwich, pastry or steaming cup of organic coffee. From there you can walk four blocks east down E Grand Ave to make your way to the Iowa State Capitol for a tour! 

10:00 a.m. Hop on the D-Line at stop #3995 at E 3rd St. and Walnut St. and head up to the Iowa State Capitol for a tour. You can either ride to stop #1607 at E 9th St. and Grand Ave or get off a bit earlier at stop #3751 at Grand Ave and Pennsylvania Ave and walk up the West Terrace steps.

View self-guided and scheduled tour info HERE.

12:00 p.m. For lunch, fuel up at Scenic Route Bakery. To get there from the Capitol, cross Grand Ave to catch the D-Line at stop #1608 and head toward the river. Hop off at stop #2773 at E 3rd St. and Walnut St. and then walk around the corner to reach the bakery. Try out a sandwich, soup, or salad and their refreshing Rosemary Lemonade!

1:00 p.m. After lunch, keep exploring at the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge. You don’t need to hop on the D-Line for this one, just head down Grand Ave toward the river and turn at Robert Ray Drive. On the downtown side of the bridge you can find public art, a small park, as well as the site of the soon-to-be-built Lauridsen Skatepark, which will be the largest skatepark in the country.

2:00 p.m. Hop back on the D-Line at stop #3432 at 3rd St. and Grand Ave and ride over to the Des Moines Public Library – Central Branch. Get off at stop #3438 near 10th St. and Grand Ave and head inside to see everything our beautiful downtown library has to offer! There are typically different programs happening throughout the day and there are always new books to check out.

4:00 p.m. Next, head outside and across the street to the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park! There are plenty of fantastic photo opts among the 30 pieces of beautiful art. Its grassy 4.4 acres also make for a great spot to relax or munch on a snack from one of the surrounding restaurants. 

5:00 p.m. To round out your day, enjoy a fun dinner at Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. Catch the D-Line anywhere along 15th St. and 10th St. on Locust St. or Grand Ave near the sculpture park and ride back into the Historic East Village. Get off at stop #3996 at E 5th St. and Locust St., just a block away from the restaurant. You can either opt for sit-down or quick-service at Zombie Burger, depending on your schedule and preference! Be sure to try one of their crazy burger creations or a cereal-topped shake.

Tips to ride:

  1. Be at the bus stop 5 minutes early and make sure you are visible to the bus as it approaches.
  2. Pay attention as you ride and pull on the yellow cord to tell the driver you want to get off at the next bus stop.
  3. Nonsealable food and drink containers are not allowed on the bus, so be sure to bring water bottles and other containers that can close completely.
  4. View routes, purchase tickets, and plan trips by using the MyDART app, available for both iPhones and Androids.

 

More questions? Find more details about the free D-line HERE. 

AUTHOR: DART

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) operates a family of transportation services that connects thousands of people every day to jobs, school, medical appointments, entertainment and more. DART is the largest public transit agency in Iowa, serving Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Pleasant Hill, Polk County, Urbandale, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.