Pleasant Hill

It’s not just pleasant...it’s awesome! Head east to Pleasant Hill, home to an epic Renaissance Fair, picturesque golf, and a sports park that’s anything but sleepy. Greater Des Moines has something for everyone and is filled with communities worth shouting about!

Food and Drink

Pleasant Hill has every meal covered so you’ll never go hungry. Take a time machine back to the 1950s courtesy of Pleasant Hill Diner. If all day breakfast and a retro diner booth aesthetic is your jam, you’ll eat this place up. Leftovers, anyone? Influenced by the owner’s Mexican heritage, The Hills Bar and Grill serves up not only Mexican fare, but American and Italian dishes as well. It might be the only place in town where you can get a Cuban sandwich, beer battered tacos, or pasta alfredo. Try their brunch on the weekends – a fusion of traditional Mexican and American that will have your tastebuds tingling. If you want to pair your meal with some laser tag and blacklight bowling, try your hand at Social – Eats & Crafts located inside Great Escape. All that competition will work up a big appetite, and you can curb that rumbling stomach by ordering Social Family Style (serves 4 – 6 people) with cavatelli, supreme chicken, or pizza and wings. If you save room for dessert, you could satisfy your sweet tooth with Over the Top ice cream, open March 1 through mid-November. Get your favorite scoop of ice cream in a cup or waffle cone or try out one of their rotating flavors (more than 31!) like brownie bomb or southern bourbon praline pecan. Check out their Facebook page to see new flavor drops.

Arts and Culture

It’s all about the artists in Pleasant Hill. Art on the Lake, a local nonprofit, works to support local artists and arts throughout the community. Each year they host the Art on the Lake Festival at Copper Creek Lake Park where local artists provide classes, educational workshops, and a chance for others to see their work. You’ll be rocking out to local musicians, eating food from local vendors, and viewing artwork from locals. Check out the 26-foot-tall Pleasant Hill Gate in Hickory Glen Park. The sculpture, designed by Juanjo Novella was installed in 2021. The piece of art features a doorway to serve as a gateway to the city while also connecting life and nature.

Parks and Outdoors

One of the best hidden gems in the region, Yellow Banks Park is named after the 150-foot-high yellow banks that tower over the Des Moines River. With camping, fishing, and hiking, it’s one of the best places in the state to spot bald eagles and view fall colors. Easily accessible from both Pleasant Hill and Des Moines, Copper Creek Lake Park is full of adventure. With a 1.22-mile trail surrounding the 40-acre lake, you can bike or walk and take in the scenic lake views. Grab your kayak or paddleboard and spend time on the lake, which is also a great spot to cast a line and catch everything from bass to bluegill. The oldest city park in Pleasant Hill, Doanes Park, has a large open green space (great for picnics), a woodland nature trail, pickleball, tennis, basketball courts, and more. The newest and largest park in town is Hickory Glen Park, where you can enjoy two dog parks, soccer fields, a splash pad, butterfly garden, and trails. Travel in and out of Pleasant Hill on the Gay Lea Wilson Trail. The trail connects Pleasant Hill to Des Moines and Altoona. The southern access point of the trail will connect you to the Youngstown Trail.

Festivals and Events

When it comes to throwing a good party, Pleasant Hill is the host with the most. The festivities kick off in majestic fashion at the Renaissance Faire at Sleepy Hollow. If you’ve never experienced Iowa’s only permanent Renaissance Village, now is the time good sir/lady. Expect more than 50 specialty shops, living history encampments, musical performances, and even jousting. You don’t have to dress up, but let’s be honest, it's a lot more fun if you do. For those looking to kick off their summer weekends in style, Chill on the Hill is the place to be. Every Friday in June and July at Copper Creek Lake Park, enjoy live music, food trucks, and a cold adult beverage or two. Copper Creek Lake Park is also host to the annual Pleasant Hill Summer Fest, happening at the end of July. With Friday fireworks and a Saturday morning parade, along with inflatables, an entertainment zone, and activity booth for the kids, it’s the perfect way to send summer out with a bang.

Attractions and Things to Do

There’s no shortage of year-round fun here – in fact, you can catch it all in one place. That place is Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, home to everything from a fall haunted house, winter skiing and snowboarding, spring (and fall) Renaissance Fair, and summer snowtubing? Wait, what? That’s right, their new Snowflex allows you to snow tube year-round, whether there’s snow on the ground or not. Great Escape has 24 modern bowling lanes for kids and adults alike, laser tag, and a lively arcade. Fuel up before or after at their on-site restaurant. For those who like their activity on the quieter side, take a swing at Copper Creek Golf Club, with a picturesque 18-hole course with a country club atmosphere. If you want something more relaxed, head across town to Toad Valley Golf Course, where not only can you play 18 holes of traditional golf, but you can also try your hand at indoor golf simulators, Flight Zone Toptracer Driving Range (with multiple game modes) and even a mini golf course for the whole family. Fore!

Des Best of Pleasant Hill

Over the Top – Best Ice Cream
Yellow Banks Park – Best Hidden Gems

Pleasant Hill on Social