Summer Things to Do

 

 

 

 

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Evening    

Nothing says summer quite like baseball and beer, and in Des Moines, we’ve got both in spades. Start out with dinner at Mullet’s, which is just as fun as its name. Located right across from Principal Park on the Des Moines River, it features a two-level patio with possibly the best view of the skyline in town. Try a burger, po'boy or BBQ, and swap stories about your most hilariously awesome haircuts.  

From there, swing over to grab a beer at El Bait Shop. With more than 200(!) beers on tap, it’s the largest beer selection west of the Mississippi (and they serve food too, so your kids are welcome). You’ll of course want to sample some Iowa beers while you’re there, and we recommend local favorites such as  515 Brewing, Gezellig, Barn Town Brewing, and Kinship.  

Time to root, root, root for the Cubbies as you head across the way to beautiful Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs, the AAA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Catch a rising star (and a hot dog) and grab a beer from the Iowa Craft Beer tent. They also have a Kid Zone and splash pad for the little ones. Friday night is the always popular Fireworks Night and on Sundays, kids can run the bases for free after the game.

 

 

 

 

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DAY 2 

Morning 

Let’s be honest: no Des Moines itinerary is complete without mention of the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market. Named the #2 Farmers’ Market in America (we demand a recount), this must-visit attraction takes over the entire Court Avenue District every Saturday, May through October, from 7 a.m. – noon. This is so much more than a table of bell peppers and ripe tomatoes (although you can get those too); with live music, handmade art, baked goods, plants, flowers, pies, wine, and prepared food ranging from mini-donuts to dumplings, you won’t find a cooler or comfier spot anywhere. Mandatory activities include a breakfast burrito from Farm Boy’s Burritos, juice from a pineapple glass, sunflower pic in front of the courthouse, and a selfie in front of the ‘This Must Be the Place’ mural on the side of RoCA.  

 

 

 

 

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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.” Thanks?  

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), and the store with something for everyone, Raygun. With “ripped from the headlines” cheeky t-shirts, drinkware and accessories, you’ll be apt to agree with their claim of being the “Greatest Store in the Universe.”. Des Moines: Hell Yes, indeed.     

All that walking around will work up a thirst and what better to get a taste of summer than at a tiki bar, which are, believe it or not, becoming quite the thing here in Des Moines. We love the Poolside Classics at Bellhop Tiki, located right across from Raygun. It’s tiki without trying too hard, and is attached to Ernie’s Boondock, the coolest “new dive bar” in town, with a prime people-watching 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.

 

 

 

 

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Evening  

Well that was fun, but now you’re hungry. The Avenues, also known as “Restaurant Row” has a plethora of tasty options to get you back on your feet. If you’re feeling casual, try the buzzy new Lachele’s Fine Foods, whose smash burgers and hand-cut fries are already legendary among locals. If you want fancy, Harbinger collects James Beard nominations like your kid collects Pokemon cards and is objectively the best place in town. Or for something in between, there’s Cheese Bar, voted the #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, there are also plenty of options. From craft cocktail bars like Bartender’s Handshake (love the astroturf patio) and Juniper Moon to patio hangs Wellman’s Pub and Eatery A, to your townie dive bars like Yacht Club and Alpine Tap, there’s no shortage of ways to keep the party going. Pick your vibe, you can’t go wrong. 

 

 

 

 

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DAY 3  

All Day

No summer in Des Moines is complete without a trip to Adventureland, which has something for both the young and the 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, a kid's 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 (or stay in the on-site hotel and do a day at each.) Adventure Bay includes cabanas for rent, so we like to get 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), the all-new Dragon Slayer, and of course, the old stalwart 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.  

Main Street includes foods for every taste, including chicken, gyros, burgers, tacos, pizza, bbq, and duh, ice cream and cotton candy. All the great swimsuit foods.  

And not only is there an on-site hotel (Adventureland Inn), but also a full-service campground with complete facilities including showers and restrooms. The question isn’t whether you’ll have fun, but rather the age-old quandary of “Roller Coasters or Water Slides?” (*The answer is both.)

 

 

 

 

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