Summer Things to Do

Pack your bags for a three-day summer adventure in Des Moines, where only the S’s are silent. Whether it’s the heart pounding thrills at Adventureland, the fresh flavors at the Downtown Farmers’ Market, or the all-ages adventures at the Iowa State Fair, where everything tastes better on a stick, your sun-soaked itinerary is ready – just add fun!

DAY 1

Morning

Whether your breakfast jam is ‘greasy spoon with character’ or ‘bottomless mimosas or bust’, Des Moines' brunch scene offers a whole menu of delightful options to satisfy your morning cravings. At Waveland Café, indulge in their legendary hash browns, hailed as the "best in the galaxy," and enjoy hearty, no-frills breakfast classics amongst a diverse crowd whose bedtimes the night before ranged from 8 p.m. – 3 a.m. Fresko brings a fresh twist to the brunch scene with dishes like their sweet lemon ricotta cakes and savory smoked salmon Eggs Benedict, all served in a modern, airy space.

HomeGrown is your prototypical ‘hip brunch place’ that is cool without trying too hard, focusing on locally sourced ingredients and a thoughtful menu that includes cage-free eggs and homemade pastries. And for an authentic Des Moines experience, there’s Mullets, which is just as fun as its name implies, featuring a two-level patio with arguably the best skyline views in town. Try a country fried steak or avocado toast flight and egged on by some of the framed mullet photos you passed on your way to the patio, swap stories about your most hilariously awesome haircuts.

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Afternoon

From there, things get wild, as you check out the 49-acre Blank Park Zoo, perhaps best known for its red panda exhibit, and the sea lions. (Next up: 500 words on why sea lions are underrated.) With activities like giraffe feeding, camel rides, train rides, face painting, and exhibits that include penguins, lions, tigers, rhinos, and gibbons, you’re sure to leave with a new favorite animal and the stuffie to prove it. Pro tip: Check their site for cool traveling exhibits like the Wild Lights Festival and fun nights like Zoo Brew, where you can ditch your wild animals (kids) and instead enjoy their wild animals while listening to bands and sipping on brews.

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Evening

Nothing screams summer quite like baseball, burgers, and beer, and in Des Moines, we’ve got the triple play. Start out with a drink at Confluence Brewing, one of the oldest and most respected breweries in town. Their huge outdoor patio right off the bike trail has a shaded canopy area and outdoor bar (and on Thursday evenings, live music), making it the perfect place to try one of their many styles, including the baseball appropriate Over the Ivy pilsner.

From there, keep the good times rolling at the nearby El Bait Shop. The menu here is decidedly “dinner at grandma’s house” if grandma loves craft beer and has a closet full of Rolling Stones T-shirts. We’re talking fried cheese curds, hot beef sandwiches, broasted chicken, pizza burgers, and patty melts, all washed down with one of the more than 200 beers on tap. It’s also one of the top spots in town to pre-game before the I-Cubs games (and within walking distance), which is helpful since that’s where you’re headed to after dinner. Consider this your seventh inning stretch.

The Iowa Cubs are one of Major League Baseball’s longest running minor league affiliates, serving as the AAA stop for the Chicago Cubs since 1981. Playing their games at beautiful Principal Park along the Des Moines River, this is where you can catch a rising star (and a hot dog) and grab a beer from the Iowa Craft Beer tent. They also have a Kid Zone on the concourse and splash pad in right field for the little ones (and a Mug Club for mom and dad). Friday night is the always popular Fireworks Night and on Sundays, kids can run the bases for free after the game. No matter your age, this is a home run for fun.

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Day 2

Morning

In Des Moines, farm-to-table is kind of our jam, and nowhere is that more evident than at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market. This locally grown, nationally recognized market is your meal ticket to fresh fun, with more than 300 vendors selling everything from produce and papusas to bouquets and baked goods. Every Saturday morning from May through October, 25,000 shoppers turn nine city blocks in the Historic Court District into a feast for the senses, with puppy petting and people watching available in equal measure. There are plenty of fan favorites at the Farmers’ Market, but a few quintessential musts include: pineapple drink, mango on a stick, sunflowers, breakfast burritos, and a selfie in front of the historic courthouse.

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Afternoon

Now that you’ve gotten a literal taste of Des Moines, you’ll want to keep the cool vibes going, and no better place to do that than exploring Historic East Village, which has been dubbed “the closest thing to Brooklyn that Iowa has ever seen.”

Walkable and effortlessly cool, it’s home to tons of boutiques for her (Aimee and Marne), shops for him (Fontenelle Supply Company and Marv’s Record Shop), boulder climbing for the kids (Climb Iowa), and a botanical garden (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden) and amazing photo op (Asian Gardens) for everyone. And make sure you stop into Raygun. The self-proclaimed “Greatest Store in the Universe” (who are we to argue?) offers cheeky Midwest T-shirts, drinkware, and accessories that are badges of honor for locals and the perfect souvenirs for visitors.

All that walking around will work up a thirst and what better way to get a taste of summer than at a tiki bar. We love Poolside Cocktails and Slushies at Bellhop, located right across from Raygun. It’s tiki without trying too hard, and is attached to Ernie’s Boondock, the coolest dive bar in town with a retro fireplace, signature coffee slushie, and cheeseburger food truck on the patio. If you want to tiki bar hop, make your way down to Court Avenue and try Revival House, where the drinks are boozy and the Instagram opportunities are bountiful.

I’m With Kids Version: Swap out tiki time for some patio time at either Iowa Taproom or Singlespeed Brewing, both which offer plenty of TVs, fresh air, and tasty appetizers to divert the kids’ attention just as well if not better than the iPad.

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Evening

All that shopping and exploring works up quite the appetite. For dinner options, your best bet may be Ingersoll Avenue, a restaurant centric corridor with something for every taste and vibe. For the best smashburger in town and a cool diner setting there's Lachele’s Fine Foods (try their Highland Park location for a larger menu and attached bar).

If James Beard awards and Michelin guides fall within your interest set, you’re going to want to try Harbinger, with their veggie-forward, seasonal dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious; or Oak Park, the new kid on the block whose buzz already earned it a place on USA Today’s Best Restaurants of the Year list. For something in that sweet spot between cloth and paper napkin, there’s Cheese Bar, voted the No. 1 Cheese Shop in America, where you can nosh on a cheese and charcuterie plate, cast iron mac and cheese, and grilled cheeses while sipping on some of the most interesting beer and bubbles in town.

For a nightcap, Ingersoll Avenue also offers plenty of options. For craft cocktail you’ve got Bartender’s Handshake and Juniper Moon. Need a big patio to enjoy the summer evening? Wellman’s Pub and Eatery A have you covered. If there’s a game on you want to catch, head to The Station. And if you want to saddle up to the locals at a dive bar, you can’t go wrong with places like Yacht Club, Alpine Tap, and GT Race Car Bar.

I’m With Kids Version: Skip the bar hopping and 5-course meals and head 20 minutes west to West Des Moines, the entertainment capital of the region. There you’ll find Jordan Creek Town Center (the largest mall in the state), family-friendly restaurants at every price point, and loads of “eater-tainment options. There’s Topgolf, Smashpark (pickleball, games, and the largest patio in the state), Dave and Busters, Putts and Pins, and Spare Time (bowling, arcade), just to name a few. In fact, you might need to tack on an extra day to fit it all in.

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Day 3

All Day

No summer in Des Moines is complete without a trip to Adventureland in Altoona, which has something for both the young and young at heart. Included in admission is an amusement park with more than 100 rides, as well as a water park with a half dozen slides, a lazy river, kids cove, and a swim up bar for mom and dad. That’s not to mention the magic and comedy shows, concert series, and Iowa craft beer tent.

Your best bet is to split the day between the water park and amusement park. Adventure Bay has cabanas for rent, so feel free to nab one and use it as a home base for the day.

Popular roller coasters include The Monster (Adventureland’s first-ever infinity rollercoaster), The Phoenix (family spinning coaster), and Tornado (35-year-old wooden coaster).

For the little ones, there are tamer (but no less fun) options like the raging river, teacups, Bernie’s Playground, and at Adventure Bay, Kokomo Kove, a virtual splash factory with seven smaller water slides, pirate ship, and 100+ other water features.

Altoona is also home to other attractions that can help supplement your wet and wild adventure, including the Outlets of Des Moines, with more than 50 different stores; Bass Pro Shop with an attached restaurant and bowling alley; and Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel, with live horse racing, sports betting, live music, and an attached steakhouse. No matter what you choose, we bet you’ll have a great time!

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Other Summer Fun ideas:

Pickleball, shuffleboard, cornhole, nachos, and Moscow Mules on Iowa’s largest outdoor patio at Smashpark.
Pack a picnic and throw a frisee at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
Downtown brewery hopping between Confluence, Lua, Exile, Singlespeed, Big Grove, and Twisted Vine.
Rent a pontoon for a half or full day at Saylorville Lake.
Take a bike ride on the iconic High Trestle Trail with a stop at Flat Tire Lounge for refreshments.
Take a hike at Ledges State Park and grab lunch at nearby Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ.
Pop an ollie (or watch others do it) at Lauridsen Skatepark, the country’s largest skate park.
Book a float trip down the Des Moines River with Seven Oaks in Boone.
Beach day at Lake Ahquabi or Easter Lake.
Tube down the all-weather hill at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park.
Catch some Indoor Football League action with a Iowa Barnstormers game.
Enjoy Jasper Winery’s free Summer Concert Series on Thursday evenings.
Rent a kayak or paddleboard at Gray’s Lake.
Explore the cool shops and eateries on 5th Street in Historic Valley Junction.
Rock out with a concert at one of Des Moines’ many music venues, including Wells Fargo Arena, Val Air Ballroom, Hoyt Sherman Place, Water Works Park, and Vibrant Music Hall.