Unozivashe & Great-joy
Things To Do
Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel
Not only is Prairie Meadows a place to play, but also a place to stay! They feature a beautiful 168-room hotel with contemporary rooms, impeccable service, and generous hotel amenities that include a saltwater pool, business center, and airport shuttle. With a hotel this comfortable, we have a feeling you’ll want to stay awhile. Conveniently located along Interstate 80. ADA accessible. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Adventureland Park
Jolly Holiday Lights Adventureland Park November 23, 2018 – December 29, 2018 (closed December 24 & 25) 5:30 - 10 p.m. every day $20 per car A fun and easy way to get in the holiday spirit, stay warm and support a good cause. Located at Adventureland, Jolly Holiday Lights is a 2.5 mile ride through more than 100 light displays. 100% of your proceeds go to supporting Make-A-Wish® Iowa! Since it began in 1995, the event has raised enough money to grant more than 700 wishes to Iowa kids!
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a vibrant 7-acre public garden featuring 10 distinct gardens, including a water garden, conifer garden, rose garden and our iconic geodesic-domed conservatory with tropical and desert plants. Enjoy lunch at Trellis Café (open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m- 2 p.m.), shop for unique items in the Garden Shop or take a class through our education programs.
Brenton Skating Plaza
Dedicated to providing a fun, recreational experience for all ages, Brenton Skating Plaza is the premier destination for birthday and corporate parties, broomball and ice skating under the stars. From November to March, the venue offers ice skating in the open air, amid snowflakes and alongside sweeping views of the Downtown Des Moines (DSM) skyline.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
In September 2009, the Des Moines Art Center and the City of Des Moines partnered to open a 4.4-acre sculpture park in the heart of Downtown Des Moines. It features 29 works of art donated to the museum by John and Mary Pappajohn from their renowned collection of contemporary sculptures.
Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theater
The Science Center of Iowa engages and inspires visitors by bringing learning to life. Centrally located in downtown Des Moines, SCI features hands-on exhibits, special-format theaters and unique programming to encourage learning and fun for all ages. With live science demonstrations, a 50-foot planetarium and a six-story IMAX dome theater, there's always more to explore!
Jordan Creek Town Center
Located right off Interstate 80 in West Des Moines, Jordan Creek Town Center is a huge retail, dining and entertainment destination featuring a two-level enclosed shopping mall with over 100 retailers, a movie theater and restaurants. At Jordan Creek, you can find major retailers, department stores and dining options to fit every budget. Grab a burger and a shake at the apocalyptic Zombie Burger and Shake Lab, or opt for a fine-dining experience at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.
East Village
Historic East Village is the eclectic east side of downtown Des Moines. This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood features dozens of local shops and boutiques including the nationally-known Raygun – made famous for their edgy t-shirts including slogans like “Des Moines: French for The Moines” and “Des Moines: Hell Yes.” Walkable from Court Avenue, Historic East Village is home to several locally-owned Des Moines restaurants and breweries. After dinner at HoQ, pop over to the Iowa Taproom to sample from over 100 Iowa beers on tap or Molly’s Cupcakes for a sweet end to your night.
Wellman's Pub & Rooftop
Wellman’s Pub and Rooftop is one of the best places to unwind in Des Moines. With its spacious rooftop patio, Iowans gather here for any occasion, although many people come after work to relax at the end of the week. The DJs spin live sets on the weekends, making this pub an all-encompassing good time spot. Be sure to grab a bite here, as Wellman’s buffalo chicken mac’n’cheese has become a real favorite among patrons.
Royal Mile
For a British pub experience, the Royal Mile is the place to go, from it’s dimly lit bar full of nooks and crannies to its authentic British-style menu of food and ales. This bar is the best place to watch Premier League soccer as well. To make its international appeal stronger, the upstairs here plays host to The Red Monk, a bar dedicated to the beers of Belgium.
Shag's
hag’s is Des Moines premier night club hosting the biggest parties in the metro every weekend. Shag’s features professional live DJ’s every Friday and Saturday night. The club has 5 pool tables, two massive bars, and room for 500 people! Because Shag’s is Des Moines true night club experience, it’s the perfect place to celebrate your weekend, your birthday, or whatever needs celebrating! When it comes to a great party, you’re going to love Shag’s!