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Your Greater Des Moines Staycation

Take a break from routine and enjoy a relaxing “staycation” in Greater Des Moines. Explore the city like never before with beautiful hotels, culinary experiences, and fun activities to keep you entertained. Do all three days, one of the days, mix and match, or make your own. This itinerary is perfect for couples (or close friends) and can be exactly what you make of it.

Day 1: A Night Out on the Town

Stay: Des Lux Hotel 

Start your staycation adventure by checking in at Des Lux Hotel in downtown Des Moines. A great spot for couples to unwind right in the heart of downtown. It gives big city feel with little luxuries sprinkled in. For example, book your room with a couple’s massage add-on or an add-on with included rose petals and a box of chocolates from Chocolaterie Stam.

Evening 

Dinner: Mulberry Street Tavern 

After you’ve checked in, you’ll be spending the evening downtown. Put on your best dinner clothes and walk a couple blocks up to Mulberry Street Tavern at the Surety Hotel. This restaurant offers white cloth table service without a stuffy approach. Their menu rotates seasonally and includes a full wine, beer, and cocktail menu.  

After Dinner: Hello, Marjorie or Nothing Major 

Depending on how you’re feeling post-dinner, head back to Des Lux Hotel and you’ll have two pretty good options. Hit up Hello, Marjorie across the street for handcrafted cocktails with that buzzy atmosphere to keep the conversation going. What to order? The Marjorie is a classic with vodka, elderberry, spiced pear, and lemon. But you can never go wrong with their cocktail menu uniquely categorized by your preferred liquor.  

Nothing Major is another swanky cocktail spot only one block up, literally. In fact, these two are so close together we welcome the idea of doing both in one night. Nothing Major boasts high concept cocktails and small batch boozy ice cream and slush for those with a sweet tooth. Try one of their five house specials, or a “fancy drink”, with concoctions you’ve never seen before.

Day 2: Arts, Culture & Shopping 

Stay: Hotel Fort Des Moines 

“Where great stories unfold”; Hotel Fort Des Moines is an Iowa landmark and continues to accommodate guests within its historic walls. This Prohibition-era hotel has hosted people like Elvis, Johnny Cash, 13 presidents, and many other notable characters. Tonight, you’ll be sleeping in style surrounded by untold stories. 

Morning 

Breakfast: Breakfast Club 

We’re starting in the Historic East Village at The Breakfast Club and their retro, vibrant eatery. Pop art and bright colors adorn this naturally lit space and is practically always buzzing with conversation and the sound of a coffee grinder. Where savory and sweet brunch bites meet, you really can’t go wrong with anything off their menu. Soak up last night’s cocktails with a deliciously savory loaded hashbrown skillet or keep those good vibes flowing with mimosa flights or one of their bloody marys. 

Shopping: Historic East Village 

Hopefully you’re fueled for a day of walking and exploring the East Village. If you didn’t get your caffeine fix this morning, grab a cup of coffee from Daisy Chain Coffee, then pop into RAYGUN for Midwest pun-centric merch that is a little too relatable. Head next door to Storyhouse Bookpub for new and used books, or across the street to Stoked for outdoor equipment and Porch Light for unique home goods. And this is just half of one block! You can hit up AllSpice Culinarium for fun spice and herb mixes and then Kitchen Collage for the equipment to use it. 

Afternoon  

Activity: The Des Moines Arts Center 

With three levels of art to peruse, you can easily spend a couple of hours at this free museum. The Des Moines Art Center is bursting with nationally and internationally acclaimed art pieces. With paintings, sketches, sculptures, and other mediums, it can be fun to wander through and choose your favorites. Stop by their cafe for a quick bite to eat or a drink to keep you hydrated. If the weather is nice, the rose garden is an absolute must see before you leave. 

Shopping: Historic Valley Junction 

Another bustling neighborhood of local shops, Valley Junction is home to blocks of antique stores, restaurants, boutiques, and more. What used to be a railroad district is now home to small businesses and a tight knit community. Bozz Prints has got you covered with trendy regional merchandise that’ll make you proud to be a Midwesterner. Happy DSM is your one-stop shop for unique gifts and knick knacks, while Hinge is your go-to for boutique clothing. While you’re here, pop into one of the many local art galleries and see what the Iowa art scene is all about. 

Evening 

Dinner: Masao or Harbinger 

Tonight, we’re dressing to the nines. We have a show to see after all! Your dinner will take place at one of two places: Des Moines’ fine dining centerpiece, Masao, or small plate specialties at Harbinger. No matter which you pick, you’re getting James Beard semifinalist genius behind each menu. For those who have a palate for raw fish delicacies, Masao’s Asian and French fusion offerings are a work of art. If you like trying new things, but don’t want to dive into the deep end, Harbinger’s plant-based small plates will give you a vibrant taste of everything. 

Entertainment: Des Moines Civic Center or Noce Jazz Club 

Your entertainment for the evening depends on what’s in the Playbill. If there’s a show in town, or local organizations like the Des Moines Symphony are performing, then an evening at the Des Moines Civic Center is an absolute must. If not, then Noce Jazz Club has you covered. This almost hole in the wall-like establishment has been around for years, entertaining both jazz and non-jazz music lovers alike. It’s a dimly lit den where you’ll feel like you stepped onto the set of La La Land. 

Cocktails: In Confidence 

Both entertainment establishments offer cocktails, but let’s keep those good vibes going and debrief the onstage spectacle at In Confidence, your hotel for the night’s speakeasy. Not sure how to get in? Ask a staff member at Hotel Fort Des Moines...we won’t spoil that secret.

Day 3: Exploring the Burbs 

Stay: Hotel Renovo 

We’re getting out of Des Moines “proper” and heading to Urbandale where an upscale hotel that pays homage to Midwest heritage. Inspired by local Iowa artisans, Hotel Renovo brings in natural elements with comfortable amenities like a lounge, outdoor patio, and plenty of Iowa craft brew on tap. Best part? It’s right off the highway, so you can reach just about any Des Moines suburb within 20-30 minutes. 

Morning 

Breakfast: Mullet's 

One of Des Moines’ favorite breakfast stops has planted a flag in Norwalk. For breakfast, you’ll head to Norwalk and go to Mullet’s where you can get all of your favs (and more). Their dive-bar vibes give that hometown bar feel, where the eggs are served with just the right amount of runny yolk and the bread is toasted to perfection. Afterward, stick around Norwalk and check out everything this burb has to offer. 

Activity: Great Escape 

When you’re done, head east to Pleasant Hill where Great Escape lives. This hub has got it all with an arcade, 24 bowling lanes, laser tag, and more. Rent out some bowling shoes and play a game or two. Best way to play? Loser gets to take the winner to Over the Top for ice cream. 

Afternoon 

Activity: Outlets of Des Moines or Prairie Meadows 

Start the afternoon with a true “choose your own adventure” as you travel north to Altoona. If you’re looking for big brands at nice prices, the Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona is home to a variety of clothing and accessory brands. If your pockets hurt from the day before, it’s still a neat space to walk around and window shop. Or if you’re all shopped out, then you can test your luck at Prairie Meadows’ casino or catch some live music while you grab a drink in the lounge. 

Activity: Reclaimed Rails Brewing 

Need a bit of respite? Reclaimed Rails Brewing in Bondurant is just a bit north of Altoona. Here is where you’ll find a huge beer list to suit any taste. For sweetness, try their unique brewed sours or their own homemade N/A root beer. Beer lovers can try one of their five flagship brews, a welcome addition to the Iowa craft beer scene. 

Evening 

Dinner: 30hop 

Ankeny is the last burb where we’ll spend the evening. Piggy backing off of your brewery pit stop, head to the District at Prairie Trail where you’ll get a table at 30hop, a buzzy modern dinner whose namesake is what makes those brews so tangy. Burgers, rice and noodle bowls, and sandwiches are what you’ll be dining on along with an unsurprisingly extensive beer menu. 

Entertainment: B&B Theatre or The Operating Room 

Depending on your energy levels, you won’t have to go far for tonight’s entertainment. Settle in at B&B Theatre and catch the latest blockbuster or a rerun of a classic. If you have time before or after, check out their B-Roll Bowling. Looking for something a little more active? The Operating Room is the perfect spot to grab the last couple of drinks of the night before indulging in some arcade gameplay. At the end of the night, all you have to do is get back on the interstate and head west where your hotel awaits.

There’s So Much More to Do in Greater Des Moines 

And believe us, we’ve only just begun! If you’re looking for hidden gems, a trip that’s a whole learning experience, or like to plan with meals in mind, then look no further than our Catch List. For additional things to do, check out our events calendar for what's happening within our metro!

Catch Des Moines

(800) 451-2625
400 Locust Street, Suite 265
Des Moines, IA 50309-2350

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