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Daytime

Botanical Gardens and Golden Light

Start your afternoon with tea and greenery, then catch the late winter sun as it dips below the horizon.

Best time: 15 JanAbout 180 min

Timeline

  1. 14:39

    Zombie Burger

    Grab a burger at Zombie Burger. The undead theme and creative shakes make for a fun start before you head into the quiet of the gardens.

  2. 15:09

    Des Moines Botanical Garden

    Walk to the Des Moines Botanical Garden. It is particularly popular during cold Iowa winters, so arriving early helps you find a quiet spot to explore the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens and the pavilion before the crowds arrive.

  3. 17:09

    Rees Gabriel House

    Head to the Rees Gabriel House. The sun sets toward the WSW at 17:09. The historic building stands as a quiet backdrop to the fading light, designed by C.E. Eastman and Co.

  4. 17:39

    HOQ

    End your evening with dinner at HOQ. The farm-to-table menu features ingredients sourced from within 50 miles, offering a warm finish to your day.

Local tip

The Botanical Garden is a great place to escape the chill, but check the seasonal hours if you visit outside of special events.

Check before you go

  • Zombie Burger is open Mo-Th and Su until 24:00, and Fr-Sa until 02:00, so it is open late.
  • HOQ is open Tu-Th 17:00-21:00 and Fr-Sa 17:00-22:00. Ensure your visit aligns with these days.
  • The Rees Gabriel House has no listed hours, so check ahead for access.

Worth knowing

  • HOQ is open at 17:39 only on Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Des Moines (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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