Katie & Ross
Things To Do
Raccoon River Park
The Racoon River Park has a great paved trail system, extensive playgrounds, fishing areas and you can rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards, too!
John Wayne Birthplace Museum
Located in Duke's hometown of Winterset, Iowa, the only museum in the world dedicated to the legendary actor John Wayne. Open daily, year-round. Highly recommend you visit some of the famed Bridges of Madison County while also on your travels to the Winterset area.
St. Kilda Collective
For you fancier types - Also, located in Historic Valley Junction, St. Kilda Collective is a full-service restaurant serving farm to table dishes, fresh-baked pastries, artisanal coffee drinks featuring Counter Culture Coffee, and a full bar serving cocktails, beer, and wine.
G Mig's 5th Street Pub
One of our favorite local restaurants. Located in Valley Junction, this is where Ross officially asked me to be his girlfriend. The food isn't fancy but it is so good. They're annually listed amongst some of the best restaurants in the area.
Eggs and Jam
This place is awesome! A 90's hip hop themed spot open for breakfast and lunch only! AKA Brunch! This place is one of our favorite breakfast spots and we can bike there, too.
Wellman's Pub & Rooftop
We like this place for 2 reasons 1) rooftop deck and 2) walking distance from Katie's house. It has pretty good bar food and lots of TV's to watch any game!
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Omaha Storm Chasers (KC Royals) will be in town and it's a fun place to watch a game! Principal Park is beautiful. For a unique restaurant check out Mullets nearby!
Blank Park Zoo
Smaller zoo but great place to see some animals - especially if you have kids.
Jordan House
The Jordan House is an historic building located in West Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It was built by abolitionist James C. Jordan and was a station on the Underground Railroad in Iowa. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. James Jordan was very instrumental in the development of Iowa and his house is still intact today. Check the website for current tour times.
Valley Junction
Historic Valley Junction in downtown West Des Moines is a charming, renovated railroad district, with a collection of more than 150 retail businesses, including art galleries, fashion boutiques, antique shops, restaurants and specialty stores.
Iowa Distilling Company
Cool little distillery near our venue. One of our favorite places to take a break on the bike trail. It's a great place to grab a drink on the way to the ceremony. They whip up some awesome little craft cocktails.
SMASH PARK
Smash Park boasts extensive indoor and outdoor opportunities to play (for children and adults!). The Yard has two pickleball courts, two shuffleboard courts, two bocce ball courts, bag toss, giant Connect 4 and Jenga, giant beer pong, ladder ball, ring toss, and foosball.
Smokey Row Coffee
Local cafe featuring fresh-roasted coffee, diner-style eats & ice cream in an industrial-chic space. They also have a newer location in West Des Moines but this address is for the one downtown.
Hogback Covered Bridge
The famed "Bridges of Madison County" are just a short drive away. The Hogback Covered Bridge is a historic covered bridge near Winterset, Iowa. Named after a nearby limestone ridge, it was built in 1884 by Harvey P. Jones. See if you can see them all!
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Looking for a unique place to go for a walk amidst the Des Moines skyline, look no further! The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a 4.4-acre (1.8 ha) park within Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, Iowa. It opened in 2009 with 24 sculptures, with four more acquired later. The sculpture park is administered by the Des Moines Art Center and contains works by artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Jaume Plensa, Ai Weiwei, and Barry Flanagan.[1] It is considered as "one of the most significant collections of outdoor sculptures in the United States".
The Hall DSM
We love the hall. Housed in a renovated rail car building, the Hall has 50+ beers on tap, craft cocktails and rotating food trucks with something for everyone. You can watch a game here on one of the two giant tvs too.
Winchester Pub
Located in Historic Valley Junction, a cozy prohibition style pub with a signature line of cocktails while focusing on a modern twist on the classics. Winner of Best New Local Bar in 2020. Offers an impressive selection of spirits, beer, wine & craft cocktails
Big Rack Brew Haus
Upon driving up you might be wondering where did they lead us to... well the secret is, you can’t judge a book by its cover. This microbrewery nestled in the hills of Madison County houses some fine brews AND hosts. For an authentic visit to rural central Iowa with good beer, this is your spot.