Your Guide to Des Moines, Iowa: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore
Updated: Aug 6
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or just passing through, Des Moines has way more to offer than most people realize! From locally loved restaurants and unique cocktail bars to cozy coffee shops, beautiful parks, and fun attractions, here's everything I recommend after my visit. I hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable trip!
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
If you're looking for a relaxing break while exploring downtown Des Moines, I'd definitely recommend spending an hour or two at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden!
The gardens are beautiful year-round, with a mix of tropical plants, seasonal flowers, and peaceful walking paths. The conservatory is my favorite part—it feels like stepping into another climate, and there are so many unique plants to see! Outside, you'll also find beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking the Des Moines River.
Whether you're visiting as a couple, with family, or just looking for a quiet place to explore, it's an easy stop to add to your itinerary!
If you're visiting Des Moines, I'd definitely put the botanical garden on your list!
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Pappajohn Sculpture Park was one of my favorite free things to do in Des Moines. Located right in downtown, it's the perfect place to stretch your legs while exploring the city!
The park features more than 30 large-scale sculptures spread across several acres, making it fun to wander at your own pace. Whether you're an art lover or just looking for a scenic walk, there's something interesting around every corner. We loved taking our time, snapping photos, and checking out all of the unique pieces!
After eating our way through Des Moines, this was the perfect spot to get some steps in while still experiencing another side of the city. If you're visiting downtown, I'd definitely recommend adding Pappajohn Sculpture Park to your itinerary!
Des Moines Farmers' Market
The Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market was easily one of my favorite parts of visiting the city. If you're in town on a Saturday morning, I genuinely think it's worth planning your itinerary around.
Held every Saturday from May through the end of October, the market stretches through downtown with hundreds of local vendors selling everything from fresh produce and baked goods to handmade crafts, flowers, coffee, and locally made products. We grabbed breakfast burritos, scrambled breakfast, fresh-squeezed lemonade, coffee, and a few other treats while walking around, and it was the perfect way to start the day.
What I loved most was the atmosphere. Live music, friendly vendors, and people out enjoying the morning made the whole experience feel like a community event instead of just a place to shop.
If you're visiting Des Moines between May 2 and October 31, make time for the Downtown Farmers' Market. It's one of the best ways to support local businesses while getting a taste of what makes the city so special.
West End Architectural Salvage
West End Architectural Salvage was one of the most unique stops we made in Des Moines. Even if you're not shopping for home décor, it's worth walking through just to see everything inside!
The building is filled with architectural salvage, vintage furniture, antiques, reclaimed materials, artwork, and one-of-a-kind finds you won't see anywhere else. Grab a coffee or a drink at their bar before you walk around! Every room has something different, so it's easy to spend more time browsing than you planned.
Whether you're decorating your home, hunting for vintage treasures, or just looking for something unique to do indoors, I'd definitely recommend adding West End Architectural Salvage to your Des Moines itinerary!
Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge
If you're looking for a free way to enjoy downtown Des Moines, take a walk across the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge!
It was one of our favorite places to get some steps in between restaurant stops! The bridge offers beautiful views of the river and the downtown skyline, making it a great place to stretch your legs, learn about the history of women leaders in Iowa, snap a few photos, or simply enjoy the scenery!
Mulberry Street Tavern
Mulberry Street Tavern was one of our favorite dinners in Des Moines! Located inside the Surety Hotel, it's the kind of restaurant that feels elevated without being overly formal—and the best part is you don't have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy it!
We started the evening with a bottle of wine before ordering the homemade Bolognese and the bison filet with smooth, creamy mashed potatoes. Both dishes were full of flavor and beautifully prepared. Of course, we couldn't leave without trying dessert, and we're glad we saved room because both were the perfect ending to the meal!
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, planning a date night, or simply looking for a great meal downtown, I'd definitely recommend adding Mulberry Street Tavern to your list!
Big Grove Brewery
Big Grove Brewery was one of our favorite places to grab a bite and unwind while exploring Des Moines!
The atmosphere is upbeat and welcoming, making it a great place to meet up with friends, enjoy a date night, or simply take a break after a day of exploring. We tried the mac & cheese stacked with BBQ and a couple of their fresh brews....everything hit the spot!
(PS - Kansas City now also has a Big Grove Brewery!)
If you're looking for a local brewery to add to your Des Moines itinerary, this one is definitely worth checking out!
Revival House
Revival House was one of the most unique cocktail bars I visited in Des Moines! Hidden in downtown, this tiki-themed bar feels like you've stepped into a tropical oasis with bamboo accents, colorful lighting, and fun vintage-inspired décor.
The cocktail menu is full of creative tropical drinks, and the atmosphere is what really makes this place stand out! It's cozy, immersive, and the perfect spot for a date night, catching up with friends, or starting an evening downtown. We went on a mini road trip to Des Moines from Kansas City and this was the first spot we visited! Every corner has its own personality, making it just as fun to look around as it is to sip your drink.
If you're looking for a cocktail bar that's a little different from the norm, Revival House is definitely worth adding to your Des Moines itinerary.
Hobnob Coffee & Wine Bar
We stopped at Hobnob for breakfast before leaving Des Moines, and it was the perfect way to end the trip. The service was friendly, our food came out quickly, and the space has a modern, aesthetic vibe that feels a step above your typical coffee shop.
I ordered the breakfast platter, and the roasted tomato was the unexpected star of the meal. It added something unique that elevated the whole plate. Along with smooth coffee, and you've got a breakfast spot I'd happily return to if I lived nearby! And if wine is more your thing, don't worry, because they have a whole wine bar! If you're visiting the Des Moines area, definitely check the spot out!
Plain Talk Books & Coffee
Plain Talk Books & Coffee was the perfect way to start our morning in Des Moines! If you love cozy coffee shops with character, this one is definitely worth a visit!
Part bookstore and part café, the space is lined with shelves of new and used books, making it easy to grab a coffee and browse for a while. We stopped in for breakfast, and honestly, the bagels and breakfast sandwiches were the highlight! Everything was fresh, the coffee was excellent, and the atmosphere made us want to stay longer but we had items on our itinerary to knock out!
Waterfront Seafood Market
What makes this place so unique is that it's both a seafood market and a restaurant, so you're getting some of the freshest seafood you'll find in the Midwest!
We ordered sushi, clam chowder, boiled shrimp, and one of their daily specials. Everything tasted fresh, and there were so many options on the menu that we'd happily come back to try more!
It's just outside of downtown Des Moines, making it a great stop on your way into or out of the city. If you're craving seafood while you're in Iowa, I'd definitely recommend adding this one to your list!
Surety Hotel; Autograph Collection
We stayed at Surety Hotel during our weekend in Des Moines, and I honestly don't think we could've picked a better spot to stay!
The hotel is inside the beautifully restored 1913 Hippee Building, so it has a lot of historic character while still feeling modern and comfortable! One of my favorite parts was waking up to a view of the Iowa State Capitol from our room—it was such a cool way to start the day.
The staff was incredibly kind and helpful anytime we had a question, and everyone made us feel welcome from the moment we checked in!
I also loved that we didn't have to leave the hotel if we didn't want to. We had dinner at Mulberry Street Tavern one night, grabbed coffee from their lobby before heading out to explore the city, and everything was just so convenient.
If you're planning a trip to Des Moines, I'd absolutely stay here again! It's within walking distance of so many downtown attractions, the service was wonderful, and it ended up being one of my favorite boutique hotels I've stayed at in the Midwest. I definitely recommend checking it out if you're looking for a place to stay.
I hope this guide helps you plan your own trip to Des Moines! If you visit any of these spots, I'd love to hear what you think. And if you have a favorite place that deserves a spot on this list, let me know—I’m always looking for an excuse to come back and explore more.
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