Heart Des Moines

November 11, 2025November 11, 2025

TOP 5 COFFEE SHOPS IN DES MOINES

As Iowa’s largest metropolitan area, Des Moines offers many shops and places for locals to get their daily caffeine fix. Our writers went around the metro area, trying drinks at the various locations, then compared notes to rank and bring readers our top five picks of Des Moines coffee shops.

Mars Cafe

Mars Cafe is a coffee shop in the Drake neighborhood in Des Moines. Mars Cafe prioritizes ensuring quality coffee for customers and a comfortable environment. In the cafe, there is a large seating area for customers to relax, do work, or visit with friends. Mars has a helpful and friendly staff, which furthers the experience by creating genuine interactions between customers and employees.

Smokey Row

Smokey Row has many locations in Iowa, including a few in Des Moines. This shop has an immense amount of history behind it, including a great story of how it was founded. They pride themselves on their mid-west hospitality, good employees, and the appeal it has to all ages. Not only does Smokey Row have coffee, but it also has an old-fashioned soda fountain to heighten its appeal. This shop’s ultimate goal is to make people’s day.

Horizon Line

Horizon Line is located in Downtown Des Moines. Horizon Line prioritizes serving good coffee and caring for customers. They specialize in creating unique coffee creations. Horizon Line works hard to implement an inclusive community and environment in their shop. They strive to be more than just a classic coffee shop. They hope that customers not only enjoy their coffee but also enjoy their experience.

Slow Down Coffee Co.

The Slow Down Coffee Co. is located in the Highland Park area of Des Moines. They hope that customers will take time to slow down and enjoy the cafe experience. Taking time to slowly sip the coffee and live with intention. Customers who have visited state that the staff is extremely friendly and helpful to customers. In addition, the cafe serves a wide array of coffee drinks to accommodate everyone’s preferences.

Daisy Chain Coffee

Daisy Chain Coffee is located on Grand Ave. in East Village. They serve specialty coffee and sell local Iowa honey that is collected from a beehive by the owner, Dan, every day. The shop opened in 2020, and since then has been achieving its goal of caring for people, supporting the local community, and providing accessible and quality coffee. According to Google Reviews, the coffee is reasonably priced, and they have great customer service.

November 11, 2025November 11, 2025

Best of Des Moines Coffee Shops

Surprisingly, the Des Moines area has some strong competition for the title of best coffee. Whether you are looking for a place to work on homework and snack or just a great cup of coffee, there are so many places to explore. Today, we are going to be highlighting our top 3 favorite Des Moines coffee shops.

Chain & Spoke

Chain & Spoke, Coffee and Cyclery, is located in Des Moines, Iowa, at 515 28th Street, Suite 102. This local spot offers a unique combination of coffee and bicycle services and accessories. Although they are closed on Sundays, Chain & Spoke is open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday.

Northern Vessel

Northern Vessel is located in Des Moines at 1201 Keosauqua Way. They are a coffee shop that likes to pride itself on creating an experience for its customers. They started their business in a garage in 2019, to then be able to buy a location in 2022. They are open Monday through Friday from 6 am to 3 pm, and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday and Sunday. They also make a weekly appearance at the farmers market downtown Des Moines every Saturday, selling their most popular item, which is the Cold Brew Latte.

Daisy Chain

Daisy Chain is a specialty coffee located in the East Village of downtown Des Moines at 505 East Grand Avenue #104. The owner, Daniel, opened the shop in 2020. He also sells the honey he collects from his beekeeping. They are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4 pm and Saturday to Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm.

Honorable Mention

Smokey Row has many locations in Iowa, but the original is located in Pleasantville, Iowa. It features a wide variety of things on the menu, with coffee being their claim to fame, and has the saying “Good Coffee. Good People”. Their homey feel and amazing staff set this place apart and make it truly a staple in Des Moines

I hope you enjoyed getting to hear our favorite Des Moines Coffee spots and hope you will give them some love. The Des Moines area, in particular, is known for having great local business opportunities, especially in the coffee and food scene. That is why we are happy to use our platform as a resource for all viewers to find trusted businesses and for the businesses to further gain traction. As well as promoting the importance of supporting small businesses in the Des Moines community.

November 11, 2025November 11, 2025

Des Moines Water Works

Des Moines Water Works Overview

Des Moines Water Works is a public water utility located in the capital city of Iowa. The municipal facility has the motto “Think Downstream,” which ultimately encourages members of the community to be cautious and think about their environmental impact on the city’s water sources.

Recently, Des Moines Water Works passed new water rates beginning in 2026. Commercial and industrial customers will be charged $10.70 a month per thousand gallons of Des Moines water used. The increase is reported to have come from the large flush of nitrates into the water sources from farming and residential lawn care. Nitrate removal systems were working overtime from June to August 2025 to produce safe and reliable drinking water for the public.

Des Moines Water Works states their mission to be “Leading and advocating to deliver Water You Can Trust For Life.”

Water Works Park

The Des Moines Water Works park is infamous around the city for its beautiful landscaping and public art. Spanning approximately 1,500 acres, the Water Works park covers nearly twice the amount of ground that Central Park does.

The park is also home to the Arie Den Boer Arboretum, named after its developer in 1930. The arboretum is home to one of the largest collections of crabapple trees in the world, making for a beautiful bloom when the trees flower in the spring.

Des Moines Water Works Park often hosts outdoor concerts for the community, with recent performers being Jessie Murph, Willie Nelson, and REO Speedwagon.

The park also hosts Biergarten, an annual, family-friendly German-themed beer garden. Attendees can purchase and enjoy multiple kinds of local craft beer and stop by street-food stands selling hotdogs, pretzels, and more.

Additionally, Water Works has become an iconic spot for Des Moines photographers. Thanks to the unique designs and photo ops around the park, hundreds of people take advantage of the scenery each year to plan grad or family photos.

Des Moines Community Outreach

In addition to its parks and arts investments, Des Moines Water Works also promotes pollution prevention. Outreach includes specific suggestions on how homeowners in Des Moines can limit their environmental footprint — and improve water quality for the community. Des Moines Water Works recommends using natural cleaning products and warns against disposing environmentally toxic materials — Household Hazardous Materials (HHMs) — down drains or into sewers. Recycling and reducing household waste is also part of the equation.

Des Moines Water Works also lists specific guidelines for yard maintenance practices. Because grass clippings and other yard manicuring by-products can block sewer drainage, Des Moines Water Works advises homeowners to bag up waste and put it in CompostIt! Bags.

In public spaces such as parks, Des Moines Water Works encourages community members contribute to group clean-up efforts.

All in all, Des Moines Water Works is more than just a utility company. They care about the Des Moines community and improving water quality for all.

November 11, 2025November 11, 2025

Des Moines Day Trips

If you are looking for some exciting day trips from Des Moines for a fun day out, here are some ideas! Many of these Des Moines day trips are free or of low cost as well, making them accessible for college students or families. Have fun on your trips!

Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption

Located in West Bend, Iowa, this awe-inspiring shrine is a three hour drive from Des Moines. On the way, you can stop at the World’s Largest Ball of Popcorn in Sac City. It is made of minerals, shells, fossils and more from around the world. Inside, are stories from The Bible depicted from these materials. Over 100,000 people visit the shrine each year.

C.C. Wolf Mansion Historical Home

Only an hour and a half from Des Moines, the C.C. Wolf Mansion Historical Home located in Parkersburg, Iowa contains a treasure trove of fascinating artifacts. It is not only a history of the family that lived there but of the town itself, as it has relics from the town’s past. Nearby is the town of Iowa Falls, which is fun to stroll around!

Iowa Quilt Museum

Quilts adorn the walls of this museum, many depicting stories or feelings personal to the artists. This museum, located in Winterset Iowa, only 45 minutes from Des Moines, has both a history of quilting and different quilts in its rotating exhibit area. Each quilt is a work of love! Nearby is the Rusty Star Alpaca Farm, open on Saturdays, where people can feed a farm full of fluffy alpacas.

Frisian Farms Cheese House

Pella, Iowa, only 45 minutes from Des Moines, is known for its beautiful tulips and Dutch buildings, but it also has delicious cheese at Frisian Farms Cheese House. Guests can sample bites of cheese after walking around the city of Pella. Their gouda, especially their smoked gouda and pepper-y gouda, are fantastic. On the way is the Neil Smith Wildlife Refugee, where bison roam!

Ledges State Park

Ledges State Park, around 45 minutes from Des Moines, is stunning in the fall, when the leaves are turning. It is great for hiking and photography, as its multi-layered sides present a picture of fall. The trip there too is gorgeous, taking you past Iowa farms and skies.

Des Moines Day Trips

Enjoy these Des Moines day trips. While the city has lots to offer, so does the rest of Iowa. Explore while you are in the state!

August 24, 2025November 11, 2025

Des Moines Music Venues

Are you a fan of live music? Whether you’re #1 in line for your favorite artist’s new tour or a friend gave you tickets to a show you’ve never heard of, there’s plenty of opportunity for amazing concerts in Des Moines!

Dozens of music and performance venues in Des Moines offer a wide variety of experiences for people looking for a night out. Let’s explore a few now!

Casey’s Center

The newly renamed Casey’s Center is Des Moines’ premiere music venue, arena, and events center. The stadium seats 17,000 people, and has hosted the likes of Taylor Swift, Elton John, and this October- Paul McCartney!

The Casey’s Center is also the hub for many sports teams, such as the Iowa Wild, Iowa Barnstormers, and Iowa Wolves in hockey, football, and basketball, respectively.

Check out their website here.

Val Air Balroom

A charming and historic ballroom venue named in homage to the nearby Valley Junction, this venue creates an intimate yet spectacular concert experience. Founded in 1939, the ballroom had a major renovation in 2023, which upgraded many of its features and amenities for guests.

Check out their website here.

Des Moines Civic Center

If your favorite musical experience is- well, a musical, then the Des Moines Civic Center and other Des Moines Performing Arts venues have what you’re looking for! Located in the heart of Downtown, the Civic Center hosts musicals, plays, award shows, and more year-round.

Temple and Stoner Theaters are also a part of the Des Moines Performing Arts complex, but the Civic Center is by far the largest, seating around 2,700 people.

Check out their website here.

Wooly’s

Located in the East Village of Des Moines, Wooly’s is a 680 capacity venue known for it’s high energy and intimate shows. Founded with the goal of hosting genre-diverse acts, Wooly’s is a great place to get on your feet and dance at.

Hosting the likes of The Struts and Ice Nine Kills, Wooly’s has a show to offer everyone!

Check out their website here.

Noce

If you like jazz, drinks, or a cozy atmosphere, Noce jazz club has something to offer you. Tucked away near the Papajohn Sculpture Park, Noce is a small venue that hosts both local and world-renowned jazz musicians.

Book a table and enjoy a romantic night out, or just stop by to hear some amazing grooves.

Check out their website here.

Didn’t find a pick that suited you? Check out The 32 Best Live Music Venues in Des Moines