Things to Do in Greater Des Moines

With so many things to do in Des Moines, we are here to guide you on what to do and see, no matter what the season may be. 

Want to explore outside of downtown? Use our interactive Greater Des Moines map on the homepage to highlight any suburb and find out why our burbs are anything but boring.  

The options are endless in Greater Des Moines. We can’t wait to show off our surprising destination!

Attractions 

Check out all of our attractions and discover our awe-inspiring Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the nationally ranked Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market, Adventureland theme and water park, Science Center of Iowa, and Blank Park Zoo, to name just a few. 

Among outdoor endeavors, Greater Des Moines offers parks and gardens, walking and biking tours, lakes, water activities, and more than 800 miles of trails. Rent a boat or a kayak, pack your swimsuit, or strap on your helmet, because we’ve got a multitude of recreational activities.

Arts & Culture 

Discover what makes Greater Des Moines a premier arts destination in the Midwest. Within our Arts & Culture section, you’ll find ways to enjoy live music, public art, museums, and performing arts such as professional ballet, opera, symphony, and theater companies. 

Our live music scene rocks, and there’s no better way to stay in the know for all the hot shows than our live music section. Featuring a concert calendar, venue information, and our monthly feature called The Setlist, highlighting the best shows each month, it will be music to your ears.

Shopping 

Des Moines is the premier shopping destination in the state; we’ll show you the assortment of shopping districts blending national retailers and local boutiques throughout the city. Take our historic districts for example; Valley Junction and East Village. Or go to suburb-favorite District at Prairie Trail for a true one stop shop for shopping and dining. And if you want an all-day experience, the Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines is our shopping and dining mecca.

Sports 

In Sports, find out why we are named the No. 1 minor league market in the country. Fans love to cheer for top minor league affiliates like Iowa Cubs AAA baseball, Iowa Barnstormers arena football, Iowa Wild AHL hockey, and the NBA G League’s Iowa Wolves, among others. Add in PGA TOUR Champions events like the Principal Charity Classic, NASCAR and INDYCAR races at the Iowa Speedway, and the iconic Drake Relays and there are plenty of reasons to say “Let’s go!”.

Get Started Exploring

The Catch Des Moines website is your ultimate planning hub, inspiring your trip to Des Moines by offering curated itineraries, lists spotlighting top restaurants and attractions, a year-round events calendar, and a blog packed with local insider intel.

The Catch List: Curated Itineraries 

Explore our Suggested Itineraries page to discover what we call The Catch List — activities and places you shouldn’t miss. From seasonal and event-specific lists to adventures based on whether you’re traveling with family or friends, these expert itineraries cover celebrated places as well as under-the-radar hidden gems.

Des Best of Des Moines 

Want to know where locals order pizza or the best parks for a hike? Check out what we call Des Best: featuring videos and lists based on crowdsourced votes from locals. From the best boutiques to favorite ice cream shops, even long-time residents and frequent visitors use this resource to find new places to explore. And when you’re out and about, look for the Des Best emblem around Greater Des Moines, meaning that place has been recognized by locals as the best around.

Events & Happenings Around the Metro 

Sort by date or search by event category; either way, you’ll find our Events Calendar is the most comprehensive look at what’s happening in Greater Des Moines. There’s always something happening here, from arts and culture events to sports, live music, festivals, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help plan your trip or figure out what else is going on once you’re here.

The Greater Des Moines Insider’s Guide 

We call our blog Insider’s Guide because it’s loaded with information you can use to get the most out of your time in Greater Des Moines. From highlighting seasonal celebrations around town to the newest Des Best lists, we give you the inside scoop on everything worth shouting about.

Start planning your next trip to Greater Des Moines!