Things to do in Des Moines
Jun 15th, 2004, 12:50 PM
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Things to do in Des Moines
I will be visiting Des Moines with my Grandmother, Mother and Aunt in mid July. We will be there from Friday morning through Saturday afternoon and have plans to go to a dinner theater on Friday night. Any suggestions of things that might be enjoyable to do Friday afternoon or Saturday morning? Would prefer finding things that don't require a ton of walking (a little is fine) as I'm not sure my grandmother would be up to it.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jun 16th, 2004, 09:34 AM
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Hmmm Des Moines. Not exactly a hot topic on Fodors I must say. 
I was last in Des Moines a little over a year ago. I got a great deal on Priceline for the Renaissance Savery hotel.
I really like Des Moines. In 1990 it was the city that taught me to stop being lazy. Des Moines has about 200k people. You have to work a little to enjoy yourself. Almost any idiot can go to NYC or Paris and find a ton of things to see and do. I know too many people who show up in places like Des Moines and start the "bored to tears" chant. Well, as my Mom would say, "It's boring because you're boring."
One of my favorite things to do is be with my friends in the winter and chase their kids through the sky walk system whilst sipping cocktails. Unfortunately you aren't interested in so much walking.
1. The state capitol is gorgeous with its gold dome sitting on the hill overlooking the downtown. Duck into the capitol library if possible to see the two wrought iron spiral staircases and woodwork. My aforementioned friends' little girl thinks it's from "Beauty and the Beast."
2. Nearby is the historical society museum. It's very nice with exhibits about Iowa and pioneering the state.
3. The domed botanical garden is downtown on the river. It has hummingbirds inside which is an interesting touch.
4. Do a little shopping at the Kaleidoscope at the Hub. Do this Friday if you're interested. The shops close for the weekend.
5. Visit the art museum extension downtown.
www.desmoinesartcenter.org/downtown.html
6. Just south of downtown is the minor league baseball stadium.
www.iowacubs.com
I'm glad you've theater lined up Friday night. Downtown Des Moines rolls in a lot of their sidewalks from Friday at 5:00pm until Monday morning. Some of the restaurants are open as are the hotels, but almost all the shopping shuts down. I believe the Younkers stays open Saturday.
For dining:
1. The Raccoon River Brewery has excellent up-scale food. Not you're typical brew-pub grub.
2. I really like the Latin King restaurant east of downtown. It has a beautiful interior and excellent Italian-based food.
3. Splash Seafood is supposed to be very good, but I've not eaten there.
www.splash-seafood.com
I was last in Des Moines a little over a year ago. I got a great deal on Priceline for the Renaissance Savery hotel.
I really like Des Moines. In 1990 it was the city that taught me to stop being lazy. Des Moines has about 200k people. You have to work a little to enjoy yourself. Almost any idiot can go to NYC or Paris and find a ton of things to see and do. I know too many people who show up in places like Des Moines and start the "bored to tears" chant. Well, as my Mom would say, "It's boring because you're boring."
One of my favorite things to do is be with my friends in the winter and chase their kids through the sky walk system whilst sipping cocktails. Unfortunately you aren't interested in so much walking.
1. The state capitol is gorgeous with its gold dome sitting on the hill overlooking the downtown. Duck into the capitol library if possible to see the two wrought iron spiral staircases and woodwork. My aforementioned friends' little girl thinks it's from "Beauty and the Beast."
2. Nearby is the historical society museum. It's very nice with exhibits about Iowa and pioneering the state.
3. The domed botanical garden is downtown on the river. It has hummingbirds inside which is an interesting touch.
4. Do a little shopping at the Kaleidoscope at the Hub. Do this Friday if you're interested. The shops close for the weekend.
5. Visit the art museum extension downtown.
www.desmoinesartcenter.org/downtown.html
6. Just south of downtown is the minor league baseball stadium.
www.iowacubs.com
I'm glad you've theater lined up Friday night. Downtown Des Moines rolls in a lot of their sidewalks from Friday at 5:00pm until Monday morning. Some of the restaurants are open as are the hotels, but almost all the shopping shuts down. I believe the Younkers stays open Saturday.
For dining:
1. The Raccoon River Brewery has excellent up-scale food. Not you're typical brew-pub grub.
2. I really like the Latin King restaurant east of downtown. It has a beautiful interior and excellent Italian-based food.
3. Splash Seafood is supposed to be very good, but I've not eaten there.
www.splash-seafood.com
Jun 16th, 2004, 10:02 AM
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Definitely check out the farmers market in Downtown Des Moines. Do you like to gamble? There's a casino just outside of Des Moines in Altoona. Like baseball? The Iowa Cubs may have a game in town that weekend. Check out the Des Moines Visitors and Convention Bureau for more info.
Jun 16th, 2004, 10:03 AM
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Jun 17th, 2004, 02:14 PM
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A tour guide in Des Moines will be my reteirment job. I will get up and head to the golf course before it gets too hot. ( Does Des Moines have golf courses?). Then it will over to my office for some tour guiding. I figure 12:00 ro 12:45 and I will be finished. Then I will have the rest of the day to do anything that I want.
Jun 24th, 2004, 10:07 AM
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The Bridges of Madison County are just 1/2 hour SW of Des Moines if that is something that interests you. Although it takes a fair amount of time to see all the bridges, you could limit yourself to just one or two. Living History Farms in West Des Moines is very interesting. They have farms set up and operating in several time periods (settlers, turn of the century, etc)and a whole town and mansion set in the 1875 time period. It does require some walking, but they also have carts to take you from farm to farm.
For unique shops and antique hunting, you should try the Valley Junction area in West Des Moines.
And I second the recommendation to see the capital - it is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in the USA.
For unique shops and antique hunting, you should try the Valley Junction area in West Des Moines.
And I second the recommendation to see the capital - it is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in the USA.
