Monica & Garrett
Things To Do
Historic East Village
The East Village is Des Moines’ most vibrant and diverse district, boasting many of the finest shopping, dining, nightlife and commerce in Iowa. Located between the Iowa State Capitol and the Des Moines River in downtown Des Moines, the East Village is highly-accessible by car, bike, bus, or foot!
Breweries
Des Moines has many excellent craft beer breweries and beer bars to check out. Some of our favorites are below: Downtown-Ish: - Confluence - Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company - el Bait Shop - Exile - Lua - Peace Tree - The Hall Further West: - 515 Brewing - Kinship Brewing - Barntown Brewing
Grays Lake
Located just south of downtown, Gray's Lake offers bike and walking trails, beaches, and kayak, paddle board, and paddle boat rentals! In the evening, check out the Gray's Lake Bridge, which features multi-colored, backlit panels, creating a rainbow display that can be seen from across town.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 25 of the world’s most celebrated artists. The 4.4 acre park, located within a major crossroads of the urban grid, creates a pedestrian-friendly entryway to downtown Des Moines. This accessible setting, coupled with the skilled landscape design and caliber of the art, makes it unlike any other sculpture park in the United States. The Pappajohns' contribution of 31 works for the park is the most significant donation of artwork ever made to the Des Moines Art Center.
Des Moines Art Center
Through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programming, the Des Moines Art Center provides opportunities for transformational art experiences. The Art Center offers free admission for all and is open Tuesday - Sunday. Make sure to visit the Rose Garden while you're there!