Timeline
06:02
Arrive at Terrace Hill. Find a spot with a clear view toward the east. The sun will rise directly behind the Pappajohn Sculpture Park from 07 Apr to 12 Apr. Wait in the quiet morning air for the first light.
06:47
Watch the sunrise. The sun appears directly behind the sculpture garden, creating a striking silhouette of the art against the morning sky.
07:17
Walk 8 minutes to Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure. Grab a coffee or a breakfast bite. The atmosphere is great for sitting and talking, or studying. The owners sell their amazing beans too, so you can take the experience home.
07:47
Walk 19 minutes west to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Now that the sun is up, explore the open spaces, walking trails, and the more than $40 million in modern art. It is a family-friendly area with plenty of room to stretch your legs.
Local tip
Check the opening hours for Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure before you go. It opens at 07:00 on weekdays and Saturdays, and 08:00 on Sundays. If you arrive before opening, enjoy the sunrise view from Terrace Hill a bit longer.
Check before you go
- Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure: Mo-Th 07:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 07:00-23:00; Su 08:00-18:00
Worth knowing
- Sun position is calculated. We have not confirmed the view is unobstructed.
- Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure is open at 07:17 only on Mo, 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).