Nothing gets us into the holiday spirit like a trip to Historic Valley Junction. From holiday deals to comfort food meals, there’s something magical about our favorite walkable, highly shoppable neighborhood in West Des Moines. We’ve put together a list (and checked it twice) of five things you can’t miss this season.
1. Holiday Shopping
Support local and find gifts for everyone on your Nice List at more than 140 unique local merchants in Valley Junction. Find something for the foodie on your list at The Spice & Tea Exchange or for the cocktail connoisseur at Blind Pig Cocktail Bodega. There’s Cindy’s Boutique and Sassy’s Boutique for the fashionistas, Skylabs for the vinyl collector and audiophile, Bing’s for that perfect Secret Santa gift, and Bozz Prints for kitschy Midwest prints and tees. Seven down, 133 to go. At least it’s all walkable!
2. Festive Events
Every November, events like Jingle in the Junction transform 5th Street into a Winter Wonderland straight out of a Hallmark movie. Every Thursday evening through December (starting November 21) enjoy extended store hours, horse-drawn trolley rides, ice carvings, rotating carolers and entertainers, and of course, Santa himself. There will also be fun holiday shopping events like Plaid Friday, Running of the Reindeer, and Small Business Saturday.
3. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
There is no shortage of local eateries and bars to help you refuel as you make your way down 5th Street on your holiday shopping adventure. Everyone’s favorite craft cocktail bar, The Winchester Public House, now serves food, with can’t-miss dishes like Shepard's pie and pub nachos. Heavenly Asian Cuisine and Lounge is the cure to your comfort food cravings, with delicious Pho and fried rice. And depending on your mood, longtime favorites like G Migs and Coopers on 5th will pair your shopping spree with sports or date night vibes, respectively. Don’t forget to stop and get some sugary sweets for the kids (and you) at Nan’s Nummies too!
4. Get Artsy
Find inspiration or that one-of-a-kind gift amongst Valley Junction’s many art shops and galleries. Olson Larsen Galleries and Kavanaugh Art Gallery are contemporary galleries representing professional artists from the Midwest and beyond, offering everything from art to framing services. The Blok DSM has everything for the budding artist on your list, from brushes and paints to other supplies. And 2AU is a jewelry design studio and art gallery where you can get a custom piece that you can rest assured will never be regifted.
5. Make it an Experience
Don’t just shop at Valley Junction...experience it! Throw a clay pot at Kunzler studios, or skip the sculpting and head straight for the glaze at Five Monkeys Inc. If you’re a cat person, you need to share a cappuccino with a calico at Coffee Cats, with its separate cat lounge area with adoptable kitties from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. And take your candle game to the next level at Candle Bar DSM, where you can create your own candle from more than 70 different scents. Sounds (and smells) like fun to us!
