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Daytime

Morning Light and Local Brews

Start your day with a quiet walk and a warm drink before the downtown crowds arrive.

Best time: 09:00About 120 min

Timeline

  1. 08:00

    Friedrichs Coffee

    Grab a coffee at Friedrichs Coffee. It is a down-to-earth spot with a nice atmosphere, perfect for starting the day. The owners' great-grandfather once owned a coffee shop across from a church, so the history fits the neighborhood.

  2. 08:30

    Saint Ambrose Cathedral

    Walk to Saint Ambrose Cathedral. Arrive just before the quietest part of the morning. This historic building serves as the seat of the Diocese of Des Moines and offers a peaceful space to observe the architecture.

  3. 09:15

    Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co

    Head to Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co for lunch. You can enjoy beers made on-site and delicious food. The outdoor patio is available if the weather is nice. Check the route if you need directions from the cathedral.

Local tip

Friedrichs Coffee is open early, making it a reliable start. Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co opens at 11 AM on Sundays and Mondays through Thursdays, so arrive by then for lunch. On Friday and Saturday, it opens at 9 AM from May to October, or 11 AM from November to April.

Check before you go

  • Friedrichs Coffee has no listed hours in the context, but it is a local staple.
  • Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co hours vary by season: Sun-Thu 11AM-midnight, (Nov-Apr) Fri Sat 11AM-2AM, (May-Oct) 9AM-2AM.

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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