WINDSOR HEIGHTS
Located just west of Des Moines, Windsor Heights is a textbook case of quality over quantity. Filled with foodie favorites and eclectic eats, Windsor Heights is your passport to flavor! Greater Des Moines has something for everyone and is filled with communities worth shouting about!
Food and Drink
Small but mighty, Windsor Heights has several international eateries, including Puerto Rico Restaurant, home to the jibarito sandwich (using plantains instead of bread) and Kathmandu, the acclaimed Nepalese restaurant where their famous “momos” (dumplings) are what’s for dinner. Paris Bahn Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich and coffee shop specializing in bahn mi sandwiches (pork and pate), Korean corn dogs, and bubble tea. If the mood for a margarita strikes, there’s Mojitos Mexican Grill, whose fresh and flavorful ingredients make it a local favorite. No trip through Windsor Heights is complete without a stop at The Bake Shoppe, where cakes for special occasions, such as challah bread, custom cookies, and the famous Barbara’s Original Champagne Cake, will be guaranteed to please the crowd. For coffee or a light lunch, Grounds for Celebration serves freshly roasted coffee, seasonal teas, and lunch specials. And if you’re looking for a lively evening spot, The Ridgemont is a townie bar in the best sense of the word, with happy hour specials, trivia nights, karaoke, and games to keep the good times rolling.
Festivals and Events
Windsor Heights’ activity calendar is packed with community events that bring everyone together. Nights in the Heights are held every Tuesday evening at Colby Park. Live music and rotating food trucks provide the perfect accompaniment for a relaxing night under the stars. In the fall, the Windsor Heights Fall Fest fills Colby Park with activity, starting with a pancake breakfast and a lively parade through town. Other programming includes morning yoga, kids’ inflatables, and live music, and the day wraps up with a stunning fireworks display at dusk. Families can also enjoy Movies in the Park on Friday evenings, where Colby Park transforms into an outdoor theater, perfect for an entertaining night with loved ones.
Parks and Outdoors
Colby Park is the heart of the Windsor Heights community. This iconic park recently got a facelift with a new splash pad, an accessible playground, and a food truck plaza. You can picnic on the grass or at a table, swing by the playground for the kids, play a musical instrument at Harmony Park, or take a scenic route via the convenient connection to the Walnut Creek Trail, which ties into the metro’s trail network, including the Clive Greenbelt Trail. If you bring your four-legged friend, Windsor Heights Dog Park is just down the road. Stay active by taking advantage of this space’s baseball field and tennis courts. And the park’s pavilion and event center also make it a hub for community gatherings year-round, from concerts to holiday events.
Attractions and Things to Do
Just a mile outside of Windsor Heights along University lies Waveland Golf Course, one of the most popular golf courses in the state. Built in 1901, this 18-hole course is the oldest municipal golf course west of the Mississippi. Its incredible amount of slope sets it apart from other courses and the entire course is built on wooded hillsides. More than 40,000 rounds of golf are played annually at Waveland. No word on the number of balls lost.
Arts and Culture
A short 3-mile drive from Windsor Heights, the Des Moines Art Center is one of the most underrated art museums in the country, with something for every taste. This free museum showcases modern and contemporary art, with signature works from Georgia O’Keefe and Edward Hopper, along with an impressive array of special exhibitions. Afterwards, you can stop and smell the roses, literally, at the Rose Garden, and take a stroll through Greenwood Park and snap a selfie with the “Three Cairns” egg-shaped stone structure.