If you’re looking for the best Des Moines restaurants in 2025, you’re in the right place. Des Moines has become one of the Midwest’s most exciting food destinations, with a wide mix of classic favorites, trendy new spots, and locally owned gems. Whether you’re a lifelong local or visiting for the weekend, this guide highlights the can’t-miss restaurants that define the Des Moines food scene.
Continue reading “The Best Des Moines Restaurants to Try in 2025: Your Local Food Guide”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
Des Moines Cycling Trails: Spring & Summer Guide
Spring and summer unveil the beauty of Des Moines cycling trails, making Greater Des Moines a haven for riders. With over 100 miles of paths, from the iconic High Trestle Trail to the sprawling Raccoon River Valley Trail, these routes offer scenic views, unique landmarks, and local stops perfect for spring cycling Des Moines. Whether you’re a casual cyclist or a seasoned rider, the city’s trails showcase Iowa’s landscapes and charm. Curious about the best summer bike trails Iowa has to offer? Here’s an informative guide to four top Des Moines cycling trails for your next ride.
Explore These Top Trails
High Trestle Trail (25 Miles)
The High Trestle Trail stretches 25 miles from Ankeny to Madrid, famous for its 13-story bridge that glows with blue lights at night. Pedal across this engineering marvel, then stop at Porch Light Coffeehouse in Ankeny for a latte or Trailside Tap for burgers and live music. A pedestrian bridge on Oralabor Road connects to other trails, ensuring safe access.
Raccoon River Valley Trail (89 Miles)
Spanning 89 miles through 14 communities, the Raccoon River Valley Trail is a cyclist’s dream. With this trail, the rider will get a great tour of the Des Moines area, from rural to urban. Start at Waukee’s trailhead, where colorful artwork lines The Loop. In Adel, visit the Freedom Rock, a painted boulder honoring veterans, and grab a brew at Brickyard Burgers & Brews.
Great Western Trail (8-17 Miles)
The Great Western Trail runs 17 miles from Des Moines to Martensdale, blending urban and rural vibes. In the city, refuel at Mullets downtown or sip wine at Jasper Winery’s summer concerts. Out in Cumming, snap a selfie at The Chicken’s giant statue. This trail’s mix of city and countryside makes it ideal for spring cycling Des Moines. For Seasoned riders, this trail continues and additional 9.5 miles beyond Cumming to the rural community of Martensdale, making this a great way to get an extra workout and see some rural sights.
Chichaqua Valley Trail (20 Miles)
The 20-mile Chichaqua Valley Trail connects Bondurant to Baxter, passing small towns like Valeria and Mingo. Start at the Bondurant Trailhead and enjoy quiet, tree-lined paths. In Bondurant, Reclaimed Rails offers craft brews like “Freeze Peach” for a post-ride treat. This trail’s rural charm shines in summer.
Plan Your Ride
With diverse Des Moines cycling trails, spring and summer are perfect for exploring Iowa’s landscapes. While these trails are described as seperate entities, the truth is that due to Des Moine’s great cycling infastructure, it is easy to connect between al these large trails and small local ones, meaning you are never far from a great time. Visit the Iowa Bicycle Coalition for trail maps and biking tips. Pick a trail, pack your gear, and hit the paths to discover Des Moines’ beauty. Share this guide with friends and plan your next cycling adventure!
Discover the Des Moines Botanical Garden: A Year-Round Urban Oasis
Written by Drake Student
Nestled along the east bank of the Des Moines River, the Des Moines Botanical Garden offers a lush, immersive experience for plant lovers, families, and curious explorers alike. This 12-acre urban garden is more than just a scenic retreat—it’s a vibrant hub of horticulture, education, and community connection in the heart of downtown Des Moines.
Explore the Conservatory and Rare Plant Collections
At the heart of the garden is its iconic geodesic dome conservatory, which houses more than 1,200 plant species from all over the world. Visitors can wander through towering tropical palms, colorful orchids, and striking succulents, all thriving in a climate-controlled space that provides a warm escape from Iowa’s chilly winters.
The garden’s impressive plant collections include one of North America’s largest Plectranthus (coleus) collections, as well as a historic bonsai display, featuring a Ginkgo biloba tree that dates back to 1865. Outdoor gardens surrounding the dome feature native Iowa plants, water gardens, rose gardens, and seasonal blooms that provide something new to admire throughout the year.
Events and Programs for Every Season
The Des Moines Botanical Garden is alive with activity all year long. Popular seasonal events include “Dome After Dark”, where the conservatory transforms into a glowing tropical escape with music and drinks on Friday nights during the winter months. In spring, the annual Spring Garden Market brings together plant lovers, local vendors, and expert gardeners for a weekend of shopping, learning, and community fun.
Other events include yoga in the garden, live music series, family-friendly festivals, and even botanical-themed art exhibits. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing evening or an educational experience, there’s always something going on.
Learn and Grow with Educational Opportunities
The garden offers a wide range of classes and workshops for all ages. The “Learn on Saturdays” lecture series invites horticulturists, environmentalists, and gardening experts to share tips and insights on sustainable gardening practices, native planting, and more.
They also offer programs for kids and schools, making it a perfect place for hands-on learning outside the classroom.
Plan Your Visit
The Des Moines Botanical Garden is located at 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, just minutes from downtown. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for youth, with memberships available for frequent visitors.
Whether you’re a lifelong gardener or simply seeking a peaceful place to unwind, the Des Moines Botanical Garden is a must-see destination in Iowa’s capital city.
Sustainability Efforts in Des Moines
Our earth is the only one we are going to get, and there are countless environment sustainability organizations in Des Moines who are determined to make it last. Searching for grassroots non-profits to volunteer for or financially support? Here is a list of the top local sustainability organizations in the area.
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
From establishing Iowa’s multi-use trails to protecting untouched prairie, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation works to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. Their mission is bound by the idea that together, we can do more.
Click here to volunteer!
Volunteers can share their enthusiasm for the natural world by connecting with guests, nurturing plants, educating, or supporting events and activities.
The Brenton Arboretum
The mission of The Brenton Arboretum is to inspire joy through the beauty and knowledge of the natural world of trees. It is home to more than 2,500 trees and miles of hiking trails just minutes west of the Des Moines metro.
Trees Forever
Trees Forever was established in Marion, IA in 1989. Year round, the non-profit works with landowners and communities to improve water quality, aid in wildlife conservation, manage stormwater, reduce soil erosion and decrease pollutants runoff…
Simply by planting trees on road and riversides.
Sign up to volunteer today!
Greater DSM Botanical Gardens
Join a dynamic team helping the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden become one of the most beautiful attractions in Iowa!
Share your enthusiasm for the natural world by connecting with guests, nurturing plants, educating, or supporting events and activities.
Volunteers are essential to the success. Join the team today!
Friends of Des Moines Parks
This non-profit works closely with the community and the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department to enhance parks and expand recreation opportunities for all residents and visitors of Des Moines.
Their current fundraising efforts are focused on the projects listed on their website which aim to create vibrant, accessible spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Click here to donate!
Volunteer Today
As you can see, Des Moines offers more than the vibrant city life and diverse cultural experiences. Especially for sustainability projects, local non-profits consistently need all the hands they can get! Many organizations invite the public to donate or volunteer for their activities and events.
Find a local non-profit that interests you, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Share in the fun and the stewarding of our beloved environment!
