Johnston

Don't sleep on the western suburb of Johnston, which is anything but sleepy. Home to a buzzy new Town Center, bike trails and water trails that scream fun, and food truck fare that earns raves, Johnston is making some noise.Greater Des Moines has something for everyone and is filled with communities worth shouting about!

Food and Drink 

Feeling peckish? Order one of the best fried chicken sandwiches this side of Nashville (including a Nashville Hot version) at Charlotte’s Kitchen, which started as a popular food truck before expanding to three brick and mortar locations. Speaking of local food trucks making it to the big time, Flame the Taqueria followed the same recipe for success, and now serves up some of the best tacos and Mexican food around out of an assuming strip mall location. From the same owners as Flame comes Roots 95 Craft Kitchen & Bar, whose globally inspired flavors are showcased in dishes like Korean Bao Buns, Thai Pasta, and Scottish grilled salmon. For suburban date night vibes, check out Trostel’s Greenbriar, where dishes made from farm-fresh ingredients are paired with a thoughtfully curated wine. Or, dive into a feast of flavors at the Johnston location of Wasabi, known for the freshest sushi, seafood, and Asian cuisine in the area. For live sports and pub-style eats with a dash of Go Cubs Go flair, head to 1908 Draught House. Oh, and let’s not forget dessert. Nothing pairs with baseball and small town vibes like ice cream, so make sure to treat yourself with soft serve and follow the pink awning to Van Dee’s Ice Cream Shoppe, open from April through September. 

Arts and Culture

The Johnston events calendar is full of family fun, thanks to the Johnston Chamber of Commerce and the Johnston Arts Council, who promote and sponsor cultural activities throughout the year, including the Terra Park Art Walk, where local artists’ paintings are on display in the park throughout the summer. See artifacts and displays while learning the stories of Iowa’s veterans from the Mexican-American War to the present day at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum. Open Tuesday - Saturday, the museum received a Des Moines People’s Choice Award for Best Museum thanks to its informative and engaging exhibits about World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and more. Admission is always free.   

Parks and Outdoors

Johnston boasts 45 miles of scenic trails winding through parks, neighborhoods, and natural areas. A crown jewel of the city is Terra Park, a 200-acre area featuring green spaces, play structures, and even a fishing lake stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegills. If you’re up for a splash, embark on a four-mile cruise down Beaver Creek. You can rent a kayak at the newly built boat ramp at 86th Street and NW 70th. The route is perfect for beginners, takes about an hour, and yes, you might even see some beavers. Locals call these the ICON Water Trails, and soon, they will connect 150 miles of rivers and creeks in central Iowa for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.

Festivals and Events

One of the community’s longest-running summer events is Johnston Green Days, an annual three day celebration in June at Terra Park that includes a parade, carnival, business expo, craft fair, auto show, fireworks, live entertainment, and more. Kites on the Green, held in May at Johnston Commons Park, features massive kite displays, kite battles, and craft workshops. The Johnston Town Center is a hub of summer activity, playing host to events like the Johnston Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings from June through September; Movies on the Yard on select Friday evenings; and a free Summer Concert Series on Saturdays. 

Attractions and Things to Do

When one typically thinks of a town square, it conjures up images of a simpler time and different era. The Johnston Town Center, built in 2020, takes that old idea of a communal gathering place and puts a fancy new sheen on it. The Yard at the Town Center boasts public amenities like a splash pad, synthetic ice rink, and green spaces, along with plenty of options to quench your thirst and quell your hunger. Blue Bean Coffee is known not only for its coffee and gourmet toast flights, but also a work zone to help channel that caffeine buzz into productivity. The Cork 50131 wine bar offers 120 wines by the glass or bottle amidst elegant gold and gray surroundings. And Backpocket Pin & Pixel is a taproom and brewery out of Coralville, with a menu full of flavorful eats along with a family-friendly realtor arcade and the town’s only duckpin bowling lanes. Game on!

Des Best of Johnston

1908 Draught House – Best Patios
Quarry Springs Outfitters – Best Aquatic Adventures
ShortE’s BBQ – Best BBQ
Cactus Bob’s BBQ Corral – Best BBQ
Wasabi – Best Comfort Food
VanDee’s – Best Ice Cream
Charlotte’s Kitchen – Best Sandwiches
Trostel’s Greenbriar – Best Hidden Gems (Part 2)
Backpocket Pin & Pixel – Best Breweries
1908 Draught House – Best Sports Bars
Flame the Taqueria – Best Tacos
Dessert House – Best Desserts

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