Des Moines

801 Chophouse

Being atop the Principal Building, along with their class of wines, steaks and seafood, 801 has a reputation for the city's nicest restaurant. The fare is amongst the best downtown, with freshness and ingredients resembling the prime rib (rare, get it?) being their ticket to success.

Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4PM-6PM

Adventureland Amusement Park and Adventure Bay Water Park

Iowa's largest theme park with over 100 rides, shows, and attractions. The water park has 13 water slides, 6,000-sq ft swimming pool, and a bar where patrons can swim up and order a drink, then perhaps drift away on the longest lazy river in the state.

$35 aged 10+, $30 aged 4-9 and 65+, aged 3 or less free. Park and water park included in price, $5 parking

B and B Grocery, Meat and Deli

Family-owned and -operated since 1922. In 2008, the readers of The Des Moines Register voted their Dad's Killer as the "Best Deli Sandwich" in the city and many subsequent "best of" awards by locals. The Food Network's "Outrageous Food" featured the Killossal Sandwich, a combo of four sandwiches, in May 2011.

Bellhop

Neighborhood tiki bar atmosphere and a mid-century modern Palm Springs resort aesthetic.

Big Creek State Lake and Park

A popular location for boats, swimmers, and fishing enthusiasts. The lake is much smaller than Saylorville. Trails, shooting range, and picnic facilities on-site.

Big Grove Brewery

Big brewpub whose dining room was once the showroom of the largest Chevrolet dealer in Des Moines. They kept the big glass windows but replaced the shiny Impalas with a central bar serving the brewery's mostly ale-styles, sours, and seltzers. They do a line of IPAs that are variations on their "Eddy" brand. The best brews are their malty dark beers, when they're available: their coffee stout is luxuriously smooth.

Daily 11AM-10PM

Big Tomato Pizza Co.

Near the downtown nightlife area. Carry out or delivery only.

Very late delivery·$4 slice, $25 pie

Blank Park Zoo

Permanent exhibits and activities, such as "Behind the Scenes" tours and "Feed the Giraffes", all throughout the year. Also hosts several special events throughout the year, including Zoo Brew (geared towards those 21+).

every day 9AM-5PM·Adults $20, aged 2-12 $15, 65+ $19

Capitol Building

One of the more popular state capitols to tour, it is easy to spot it with its sparkling 23-karat gold leaf dome and four-surrounding smaller copper-topped domes. Those wishing to see the inside from a bird's eye view will climb 298 steps before reaching the top from their start on the second floor. Historic flags, some hailing from the U.S. Civil War-era, are on display, and tour staff are available during all hours in which the capitol is open to visitors. Don't overlook the State Law Library, one of the most beautiful and ornate libraries in the world. Cafeteria is on the bottom floor.

Mon–Fri 8AM–4:45PM, Sat 8AM-3:45PM, closed Sun·Free

Centro

pronounced Chentro

Italian fare featuring terrific coal fired pizzas. Specialize in $8.50 martinis.

Mon-Fri 11AM-2PM, Sat 11AM-3PM, Mon-Thu 5PM-10PM, Fri Sat 5PM-11PM, Sun 4:30PM-9PM·$25

Chicago Speakeasy

A Des Moines classic, the restaurant features a mobster theme. Excellent prime rib (the house specialty), served in several sizes, an extensive salad bar, and a number of seafood offerings. Large portions.

$50

Christopher's

A restaurant with a great reputation for serving up quality prime rib and Italian dishes for over 50 years. The restaurant is larger than it appears from outside.

$30

Chuck's Restaurant

If the number of years one's been in business is the standard way to rate, few in Des Moines could mess with Chuck's more than 50-year reign on the northside of Des Moines. Chuck's has proven if you take old classics, such as spaghetti and meatballs, meatloaf, and steak, and treat them with respect, you'll be in the neighborhood for a long time. Excellent pizza.

Mon-Thu 4:30PM-10:30PM, Fri Sat 4:30PM-11:30PM. Live music Wed Thu 7PM-10PM, Fri Sat 8PM-11PM

Confluence Brewing Company

Large microbrewery whose canned beers are carried in Hy-Vee stores throughout the area, as well as by many bars and restaurants. The brewery has a taproom that welcomes visitors to sample just about everything they brew, including rarer small batch styles and special bottlings of barrel aged beers. The brewery is known for its excellent quality control and its ability to brew both ales and the more technically demanding larger styles. A large outdoor patio deck overlooks a hiking and biking trail that runs between downtown and nearby Grays Lake.

Daily 2-10PM

Cosi Cucina

Cosi's

Traditionally known as one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in the area, with over 30 wines by the glass. Fresh bread and minestrone. According to their Website, it was once voted Best Italian Restaurant and Most Romantic Restaurant. Small and also near some other bars and trendy clubs.

Tue-Thu 11AM-9:30PM, Fri 11AM-10:30PM, Sat noon-10:30PM, Sun 4PM-9:30PM·$20

Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co

CABCO

Beers made on-site are featured and are the only ones available (Bud Light addicts need not enter). Live music a few nights a week, including jazz. The food is equally delicious. Outdoor patio and gluten-free menu available. Martini specials on Saturdays.

Sun-Thu 11AM-midnight, (Nov-Apr) Fri Sat 11AM-2AM, (May-Oct) 9AM-2AM. Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4PM-7PM·$4 drinks, lunch from $9, $15-30 dinner

Des Moines Art Center

The Center boasts a permanent collection of contemporary art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including works from Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, Georgia O'Keeffe, Henri Matisse, and Francis Bacon. It also boasts a restaurant with a 5-star rating from The Des Moines Register, featuring a different menu weekly and open for lunch only.

Tue-Wed 10AM-4PM, Thu-Fri 10AM-7PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-5PM, closed Mon·Free, Center and Sculpture Park

Des Moines Botanical Garden

Particularly popular during cold Iowa winters. Special events and learning modules all throughout the year. Connected to the parking lot is the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens with a featured Asian pavilion, built in honor of the Asian Americans who immigrated to Iowa in the late 1970s and of former Gov. Ray.

adults $14, children $10, seniors 65+ and active/retired military $13

Des Moines Buccaneers

United States Hockey League (USHL) Tier 1 team member. Very close to the ice no matter where one sits.

From $12

Des Moines Symphony

Since 1937. Concerts are held at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines in downtown.

Downtown Farmer's Market

Get a taste of rural Iowa each Saturday morning. Fresh produce, pastries, wines, cheeses, art and jewelry, and more are all available for those wishing to taste and view. Event takes place rain or shine.

May-Oct 7AM-noon·Free

Drake Bulldogs

Drake University sports, competing in most sports as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and also in the Pioneer Football League for that sport only.

Mon-Fri 9AM–5PM. Ticket offices at each venue open 1 hour before all home events except men's basketball (2 hours before).·$15–25 men's basketball, $12 football, $10 women's basketball, $8 volleyball, $5 other sports

Drake Diner

North Side Diner in Johnston and West End Diner in West Des Moines

Drake location is the original location. Favorites such as omelets, French toast, reubens, crinkle-cut fries, and bacon cheeseburgers and Drake's own "Bulldog burger" dominate the menu (all three Diner's feature the Maytag Burger, oozing with Iowa's own Maytag blue cheese). During nice weather, there's a screened-in patio available to sit. Shakes and malts are made with Des Moines's very own Anderson and Erickson Dairy Ice Cream.

Mon-Sat 7AM-11PM, Sun 7AM-10PM·$5 shakes, $9 omelets, $10 burgers

Drake Relays

Arguably the nation's top outdoor track & field event. Past participants include Michael Johnson, Bruce Jenner, Gwen Torrence, Natasha Kaiser-Brown, and Jeremy Wariner.

Late April·$20-85, varies on event session

Ernie's Boondock

Bar in the East Village with vintage decor and small-town atmosphere located in the former Daniel Brothers Super Service Station, built in 1929.

Exile Brewing Company

Brewpub and microbrewery in a historic warehouse, brews a wide range of both ale and lager styles. Casual bar with outdoor patio and a large indoor dining room for dinner. The best beers tend to be their German-style seasonal beers, including dark lagers, a nutty-sweet marzen style (Octoberfest), and similar beers. They also produce a line of hard seltzers. Live music Sunday afternoons starting at 5pm.

Tue-Sun 10AM-10PM, closed Mon

Flying Mango

Began as a catering business but when their uniquely smoked Cajun and Creole creations caught on, they soon started to get a bigger loyal following. Full wine list.

Open for dinner but lunch by special appointment only·$15-25

Fong's Pizza (Downtown)

The original location, founded on January 26th, 2009, in the former King Ying Low, Des Moines' oldest operating Chinese restaurant. Elements of King Ying Low's history and décor were kept and the current Fong's Pizza menu is inspired by a fusion of Asian, Italian, and Polynesian cooking styles paired with the tropical and fun flavors of a Tiki bar.

Gong Fu Tea

Lots of tea pots and bulk tea available as well. Very clean establishment.

Mon-Fri 7AM-6PM, Sat 7AM-5PM, closed Sun

Gray's Lake

Busy at all times of day, urbanites of all ages come to breathe in the fresh air or get in their workout before heading heading home or to their cubicle. 167-acre park with a 1.9-mi paved track encircling the lake. Paddle boats, canoes, sailboats and bikes may be rented. A small beach area for swimming. Restrooms and grills provided, while some fishing and bird watching also takes place around the edges.