Maggie & Ben
Things to Do
Scenic Route Bakery
For the guest that simply wants the best pastries and coffee in town for breakfast.
Waveland Cafe
For the guest that wants a no-frills, diner vibes breakfast. Be prepared to wait if you aren't an early bird.
HomeGrown Des Moines - Crescent
For the guest that wants a farm-to-table, elevated midwest breakfast/brunch. Be prepared to wait if you aren't an early bird.
Palmer's Deli & Market
For the guest looking for a great lunch spot with soups, salads and sandwiches.
Des Moines Biergarten
For the guest that wants to experience a great outdoor space (Water Works Park) and have a beer or a brat or charcuterie. NOTE: Depending on weather, the Biergarten might be closed for the season.
Confluence Brewing Company
For the guest that wants a classic brewery that has a variety of beers to choose from with outdoor space near a trail or indoor space that smells like a brewery. Sometimes a food truck is available or bring your own food.
Lua Brewing
For the guest looking for a true craft brewery with hazy IPAs and beers people travel miles for. Also, surprisingly great food.
Lachele's Fine Foods
For the guest that wants the city's best burger, loves grease and smashed patties. Two locations, both in great spots where you can walk around to cute shops.
Fong's Pizza
For the guest that wants to eat a quintessential local cuisine: a crab rangoon pizza.
Cheese Bar
For the guest that wants cheese in any form. The best cheese curds, charcuterie and grilled cheese in town with great wine and beer to pair.
The Bartender's Handshake
For the guest that wants a classic cocktail bar that can make you anything. It can be a tight squeeze inside but if you time it right, you'll find a great vibe and a great drink.
In Confidence
For the guest looking for a speakeasy behind a hidden door under Hotel Fort Des Moines. You don't need a password but you can make one up if you want.
Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe
For the guest that wants to play a game and experience a very unique community. Hundreds of games, drinks and food available.
Iowa State Capitol
For the guest that wants to touch all 50 state capitol buildings or say that they saw the country's most beautiful capitol. You'll see it from most places in Des Moines but the grounds are nice to walk around.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
For the guest that loves flowers as much as Maggie does. No matter the weather, the Botanical Gardens are a family-friendly spot to see beautiful colors (and peep where Maggie & Ben got engaged).
Des Moines Art Center
For the guest that wants a free experience with world class art and beautiful spaces. Peep the place Maggie & Ben got engagement photos.
Farmers Market
For the guest that loves large crowd, great food and local produce. Des Moines has one of the largest farmers markets in the country on Saturday mornings from 7-12.
Mainframe Studios
For the guest that loves art and wants to see a Maggie Douglas original up close. The country's largest non-profit art studio space, Mainframe houses artist studios. Walk the halls lined with art and potentially see artists at work in their studios. Maggie and Pam's studio is 231.