LGBTQ+
A huge thank you to Capital City Pride for their collaboration on these LGBTQ+ focused itineraries. Check out the Family Friendly and Getaway with Friends itineraries and click on the links below for entertainment schedules and programming information.
LGBTQ+ Family Friendly PrideFest Getaway
Pride Fest Weekend draws thousands to Greater Des Moines for a weekend-long celebration of awareness, achievements of our community, and normalizing LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Check out this itinerary offering the perfect opportunity to celebrate Pride while taking in some of the best family-friendly activities that Des Moines has to offer, Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Day 1: Friday, June 7, 2024
Morning
You have a full day planned but it’s vacation, right? Sleep in before heading out for brunch at the Breakfast Club in Historic East Village. This cool and casual hotspot has something on the menu for everyone in the family. From Smore Donut Holes to the Totchoes, they have you covered.
Afternoon
Hope you remembered to pack some water and sunscreen! Next up you are headed to Blank Park Zoo for an afternoon strolling the 49-acre zoological park. Open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., the zoo has plenty to explore with 104 different animal species, 1,484 animal specimens, a train, carousel, and dedicated animal feeding times.
Evening
You have some time to let the little ones rest before heading out to the opening of Pride Fest 2024 in the East Village. You can grab dinner on the go from one of the many food vendors at PrideFest. Then, grab your dancing shoes and make your way to the Community Stage for the Silent Disco. This is an all-ages event starting at 7:30 p.m. The main stage will also be hopping all evening with headliner acts like Rebecca Black.
Day 2: Saturday, June 8, 2024
Morning
No trip to Des Moines is complete without a trip to the Downtown Farmers’ Market, recently named by Shape Magazine as the #2 Top Farmers Market in the U.S. The Farmers’ Market offers shopping for produce, eggs, crafts, and much more. It’s also a great stop for breakfast from one of the many vendors. After the Farmers’ Market, it's time to head back to the East Village. Here you will find the Pride Stride 5K wrapping up at 10 a.m. and the Pride Fest Pet Parade starting at 9:30 a.m. The Pet Parade always draws a crowd. Here you will find all kinds of furry friends competing for some fun prizes.
Afternoon
Grab lunch at Zombie Burger, offering gourmet burgers and shakes in a “post-apocalyptic chic” atmosphere. After lunch, head up the hill to the Iowa State Capitol for a tour of the building and grounds. Self or guided tours are available from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Statehouse is world famous for its massive dome, gilded in 23 karat gold leaf and 19th century architecture. As you walk the halls of the Capitol, take the opportunity for a history lesson with the kids. Did you know that on April 3, 2009, Iowa was the 3rd state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage?
After your tour, grab the kids and head back down the hill to the East Village where you can spend the afternoon walking through the PrideFest vendors and check out all of the unique shops of the East Village. Be sure to plan a visit to the Family and Kids Zone, the Teen Zone, and the Health and Fitness Zones. The zones are designed to offer safe and inclusive spaces for all ages. For teens it’s the perfect place to use their voice, hear others, socialize, and make new memories and lasting relationships. For the younger kids, there are tons of activities all day long.
Evening
The Community Stage will have a variety of acts throughout the day and the main stage will round out the evening with a great lineup of headliners all weekend long.
Day 3: Sunday, June 9, 2024
To kick off day 3, head to a Des Moines staple, Americana for the Sunday brunch buffet. There are tons of delicious options, and you can’t beat the cook-to-order grilled cheese bar. Be sure to get to brunch early so that you have time for a walk through the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, located just across the street from Americana. The park features artwork from more than a dozen of the world’s most celebrated artists.
Everybody loves a parade! After taking in the sculpture park, you will be en route back to the East Village for the Capital City Pride Parade. This one is a weekend must-see! A celebration of community and culture the pride parade honors LGBTQ+ social and self-acceptance, legal rights, achievements, and pride. The iconic route starts at the Iowa State Capital and travels down Grand Avenue into the Historic East Village. The parade kicks off at noon sharp. Show us your PRIDE, Iowa! Following the parade, you can grab a late lunch from a Pride Fest vendor or at one of the many restaurants in the East Village. Before you head home, head to the Principal Riverwalk to take in the sights of downtown Des Moines skyline as you cross the river on the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge. Just on the other side of the bridge you will find the largest skate park in the United States. Lauridsen Skatepark is an 88,000-square-foot skate park and was home to the 2021 Dew Tour which served as a U.S. Olympic qualifying event.
Hotel: The Hotel Fort Des Moines is an official partner of Capital City Pride. Restoring it to its glory days, this historic hotel was fully refurbished and re-opened in 2021. It’s perfectly located in the heart of downtown and a central location to everything in this itinerary. Its quiet location a bit away from the Pride Fest activities ensures that you will have a restful stay while you’re in Des Moines.
LGBTQ+ PrideFest Getaway with Friends
PrideFest weekend draws thousands of attendees from Iowa and surrounding states for a weekend-long celebration of awareness and achievements in our community. Grab a few friends and head to Des Moines for a weekend of sights and celebration.
Day 1: Friday, June 7, 2024
Morning
Today’s the day to take in some of the hottest Des Moines sites before the kickoff of PrideFest on Friday evening. Grab some breakfast at a local favorite, St. Kilda’s in Historic Valley Junction. They serve farm-to-table dishes, great pastries, and a fantastic cup of coffee. After breakfast take a stroll through the Valley Junction shopping district. Here you will find a variety of locally owned boutique shops selling specialty gifts, vintage and antique items, candy, and much more.
Afternoon
Friday afternoon brings you several options. For some culture and entertainment, explore the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Alternatively, Blank Park Zoo is perfect for an afternoon visit. Here you can stroll the 49-acre zoological park. Open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., the zoo has plenty to explore with 104 different animal species, 1484 animal specimens, a train, carousel, and dedicated animal feeding times.
Evening
It’s time to put on your dancing shoes and head to PrideFest with gates opening at 5 p.m. Grab dinner on the go from one of the many food vendors and hit the beverage tents to kick off the weekend with your friends. Don’t miss the silent disco located at the Community Stage from 7:30 – 11 p.m. When you’re ready to hit the mainstage, we have a great lineup of entertainers all weekend long. The beverage tents are open until midnight. To round out the evening, stop into the Blazing Saddle or the Garden Nightclub for a drink and Drag Show.
Day 2: Saturday, June 8, 2024
Morning
No trip to Des Moines is complete without a trip to the Downtown Farmers’ Market, recently named by Shape Magazine as the #2 Top Farmers’ Market in the U.S. The Farmers’ Market offers shopping for produce, eggs, crafts, and much more. It’s also the place to be for great people-watching! When you’re ready for breakfast, there are many local vendors to choose from offering up a wide variety of fresh options. While you’re at the market, stop by Annie’s or Tonic. Both are located on Court Avenue in the heart of the Farmers’ Market and have a lively patio scene and ice cold drinks. For another Farmers’ Market favorite, pop into Bomb Bar where you will find an ever growing selection of bomb shots and infusions.
Afternoon and Evening
While you are in town celebrating PrideFest, don’t miss out on the opportunity to volunteer! Capital City Pride has many ways that you can get involved. Visit the volunteer page at capitalcitypride.org to sign up.
Grab lunch at El Bait Shop. They have the largest craft beer collection west of the Mississippi with 251 beers on tap. It’s then time to head back to the East Village to stroll through the vendors market at PrideFest. Be sure to check out the Health and Wellness zone too. The Community Stage will have a variety of acts throughout the day and the main stage will round out the evening with an amazing lineup.
Day 3: Sunday, June 9, 2024
To kick off day 3, you can't go wrong with the Breakfast Club in the East Village. This cool and casual hotspot has something on the menu for everyone. From S'more Donut Holes to the Totchos, they have you covered.
Everybody loves a parade! After breakfast it will be time to head to the Capital City Pride Parade. This one is a weekend must-see! A celebration of community and culture the pride parade honors LGBTQ+ social and self-acceptance, legal rights, achievements, and pride. The iconic route starts at the Iowa State Capital and travels down Grand Avenue into the Historic East Village. The parade kicks off at noon sharp. Show us your PRIDE, Iowa!
Following the parade, you can grab a late lunch from a PrideFest vendor or at one of the many restaurants in the East Village. Before you head home, head to the Principal Riverwalk to take in the sights of downtown Des Moines skyline as you cross the river on the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge. Just on the other side of the bridge you will find the largest skate park in the United States. Lauridsen Skatepark is an 88,000-square-foot skate park and was home to the 2021 Dew Tour which served as the U.S. Olympics qualifying event.
Hotel: The Hotel Fort Des Moines is an official partner of Capital City Pride. Restoring it to its glory days, this historic hotel was fully refurbished and re-opened in 2021. It’s perfectly located in the heart of downtown and a central location to everything in this itinerary. It’s quiet location, a bit away from the Pride Fest activities, ensures that you will have a restful stay while you’re in Des Moines.