Steph loves trying all the coffee shops in the area, and her top recommendations are: Slow Down Coffee, Barista's Bouquet (plant store/flower shop/coffee shop all in one), Reading in Public (book store and coffee shop), Horizon Line, and Chain and Spoke (bike shop and coffee shop)!
We go to Eatery A at least once a month and swear it is the best happy hour in the Des Moines metro (half price wine and draft beer and cheap wood fired pizzas from 2-6 pm every single day!)
We went here the night we got engaged! Incredible food for very reasonable prices, the only catch is there are no reservations for parties under 6 people. However they have a bar next door to wait for your table in with great drinks and lots of board game options to pass the time!
We went there for our first Valentines Day together. It's now only a special occasion dinner, but they have decent happy hour deals and the food is incredible and unique every single time.
We went here on our first New Years Eve with friends, and discovered that their Asian Chicken Wontons and Whiskey Honey Chop are to die for!
A super fun 20's themed cocktail bar, perfect for sitting and chatting the evening away!
The Farmer's Market runs every Saturday 7AM-Noon through the end of October, so if you're in town early we definitely recommend checking it out! We like to get there bright and early to avoid the crowds!
Free admission daily, with a fun rose garden and park behind it! We spent our second date walking through the park and chatting.
Lots of trails for walking and biking! Plus, Steph's team at work just completed the Racoon River Pedestrian Bridge bridging Racoon River Park and Walnut Woods!
Steph's favorite areas to hop around shops and support local businesses are: Valley Junction, Highland Park, and East Village! Valley Junction and Highland Park both have free street parking.