Timeline
07:15
Grab a coffee at Northern Vessel. It opens at 06:00 on weekdays, so you have time to warm up before heading out.
07:38
Walk to the Naylor House. The morning light hits the brick facade beautifully as you explore the historic site.
08:23
Head to 801 Chophouse for lunch. The kitchen is open for service, and the views from the Principal Building are worth the climb.
09:23
End your walk at Hawthorn Hill Apartments. It is a short walk south from the downtown core, offering a quiet look at the historic Methodist Deaconess Institute building.
Local tip
Northern Vessel is open early, making it the perfect starting point before the sunrise. Check the route for walking directions between downtown spots.
Check before you go
- Northern Vessel opens at 06:00 on weekdays.
- 801 Chophouse serves lunch; verify specific lunch hours if visiting outside standard dinner service.
Worth knowing
- Northern Vessel is open at 07:15 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Des Moines (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).