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Evening

Golden Hour at Gray's Lake

Catch the last warm light over the water, then head to the taproom for a post-sunset pint.

Best time: 15 JanuaryAbout 60 min

Timeline

  1. 16:39

    Gray's Lake Park

    Walk 13 minutes east from Gray's Lake to this viewing spot. Arrive with half an hour to spare to find a quiet patch of grass or bench facing west. The lake is busy, so come early to claim a good vantage point before the crowds settle in.

  2. 17:09

    Gray's Lake Park

    Watch the sun dip below the horizon. On 15 January, the sky turns gold at 16:26 and the sun sets at 17:09 toward the WSW. The fading light reflects off the water as the park lights begin to hum on.

  3. 17:54

    Confluence Brewing Company

    Head to Confluence Brewing Company. It is open daily from 14:00 to 22:00, so you have plenty of time to enjoy a drink after dark. Sample their local microbrews in the taproom as the evening settles in.

Local tip

The park is busy at all times, so securing a spot for sunset requires a bit of early planning. The brewery is a short walk away and stays open late.

Check before you go

  • Confluence Brewing Company is open Mo-Su 14:00-22:00.

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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