Here are 10 Des Moines date night ideas that will keep you going throughout the spring season.
Iowa Cubs
If live sporting action is your speed, don’t miss minor league action in Des Moines with the Iowa Cubs. With games starting in early April, the Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A affiliate team of the Chicago Cubs. The Iowa Cubs have multiple home games each month, making it a date night option all week long. Bring that special someone out on a Friday and catch the fireworks display after the game!
Downtown Farmers’ Market
Opening May 4, the Downtown Farmers’ Market is a Greater Des Moines hub for anyone looking to buy some fresh produce and get outdoors. Located in Downtown Des Moines’ social area of the Historic Court District, the Downtown Farmers’ Market is easy to spot once you’re in the city. If the market-goers strolling toward the center of the activity don’t tip you off, then the Polk County Courthouse will. The Downtown Farmers’ Market, connects urban and rural communities while supporting nearly 300 local entrepreneurs, including farmers, producers, bakers and artists that represent 50 counties across the state of Iowa. Don’t forget to snap a picture at one of the breath-taking murals that surrounds the market!
The Dinner Detective – Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Grab your date and join the fun of The Dinner Detective – Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Show every Saturday. The Dinner Detective is the largest, award-winning, interactive comedic murder mystery dinner show in the United States. Unlike other murder mystery dinner shows, here you will find no cheesy costumes, no recited campy dialogue and no hokey song and dance. The performers are dressed just like everyone else, leaving all the guests to suspect who is a part of the show and who is not. In many instances, guests are seated with the performers and don't even realize it until they die! The detectives proceed to interrogate everyone and find clues as more people die. At the end of the night, prizes are awarded to the Top Sleuth who solves the crime.
Botanical Brews Beer Tasting
Visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and join in on the Botanical Brews Beer Tasting on Thursday, April 25. From its most humble components to the more creative additions, beer is a botanical brew. Join Minister of Iowa Beer J Wilson for a botanically-focused beer tasting with a highlight on plant ingredients like hops, barley, citrus and more. Learn about the wide range of Iowa craft beers as well as the botanical ingredients that make them special. Don’t forget to try out Trellis Café and their delicious plant-based menu before you head home!
Greater Des Moines movie options
There are so many places across Greater Des Moines to catch the newest films on the big screen! Located right inside Merle Hay Mall, Flix Brewhouse serves full course meals, craft beers and your favorite movie classics. Flix is one of the only movie theaters in world to incorporate a microbrewery and a movie theater under one roof. Fleur Cinema & Café is another unique option in Des Moines. Frequently showing indie and foreign films along with resurrecting classics of the past, Fleur Cinema also includes the Fleur café offering a full coffee bar, beer, wine, desserts and more.
Smash Park
Challenge your date to an outdoor lawn game, classic gaming console and giant Jenga at Smash Park. Smash Park is a unique sporting destination anyone can enjoy regardless of skill level. Head to the yard and utilize their backyard party space, the hall to enjoy their full-service bar, the loft which overlooks all the action on Smash Park and the courts where you can join a league or just grab a paddle and have fun! Make sure to grab some of the Chester’s Waffle Sliders before you leave.
Covered Bridges Winery
Listen to the beautiful music styles of Gina Gedler and James Biehn at Jasper Winery. Gina Gedler takes the stage on Saturday, April 13. Gelder is lead vocalist with Ballyhoo Foxtrot Combo and the Soya Vista Jazz Orchestra as well as a guest lead vocal for several other local bands. She sings a wide variety of music including jazz, show tunes, cabaret and everything in between. Come back on Saturday, April 27 and listen to James Biehn perform a wide variety of blues, rock and Americana. Fall in love with both of their unique music styles this spring!
Noce
Indulge as local jazz artists perform at Jazz on The House at Noce. Join Noce every Thursday night for an all-night happy hour and live jazz. Doors open at 4 p.m. with no cover all night, specials on house wine and well drinks, specialty cocktails, gourmet popcorn and live music; you and your date won’t want to miss out!
Des Moines Symphony’s Season Finale: Bernstein’s West Side Story
Grab a date and join the end of season-long celebration of Leonard Bernstein in his iconic, beloved West Side Story May 18-19. But first, Maestro Joseph Giunta pays a personal tribute with Rossini’s Overture to Italian in Algiers, a piece he studied with Bernstein. Virtuoso violinist Philippe Quint joins the Orchestra to play Korngold’s lush Violin Concerto, then the evening concludes with Respighi’s Pines of Rome. A stunning blaze of brass will bring you to your feet as their season reaches its thrilling conclusion.
Hiking Trails
With spring in the air it’s a great idea to adventure out and take on one of the many trails that run through Greater Des Moines. If you’re looking for a trail with some breathtaking views, take the High Trestle Trail at night and grab a picture under the picturesque blue squares. If you’re looking for a trail more centrally located, go to Des Moines Water Works Park and hop on one of trails that intersects in the 1,500-acre park.
These are just a few of the many things to do in Greater Des Moines this spring. If you’re looking for more, check out our interactive events calendar HERE.
