Sights and Sounds of Central Iowa

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Sights and Sounds of Central Iowa

Exercise and fresh air

Visit the largest skate park in the state right on the river!
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The Lauridsen Skatepark
901 2nd Avenue
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Visit the largest skate park in the state right on the river!
Is a fun park to play at for kids of all ages and abilities. There is also an amphitheater that hosts concerts Friday nights during the summer.
Riverview Park
710 Corning Avenue
Is a fun park to play at for kids of all ages and abilities. There is also an amphitheater that hosts concerts Friday nights during the summer.
Margo Frankel is small state park nestled in the heart of Des Moines. It has 2 playgrounds, picnic areas and hiking paths.
Margo Frankel Woods State Park
Margo Frankel is small state park nestled in the heart of Des Moines. It has 2 playgrounds, picnic areas and hiking paths.
Grays Lake is a small lake just south of downtown featuring a bike path, playground, swimming area and boat rentals.
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Grays Lake
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Grays Lake is a small lake just south of downtown featuring a bike path, playground, swimming area and boat rentals.
Water Works Park is a great place to take the family for a bike ride, picnic or to play on the new naturescape play area.
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Park Vodních Prací
2201 George Flagg Pkwy
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Water Works Park is a great place to take the family for a bike ride, picnic or to play on the new naturescape play area.
Cowles Commons is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee, lunch or sweet treat! It plays host to many outdoor events as well as having a small splash pad for kids to cool off in.
Cowles Commons
221 Walnut St
Cowles Commons is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee, lunch or sweet treat! It plays host to many outdoor events as well as having a small splash pad for kids to cool off in.
A great place to ice skate outside with a beautiful view of downtown Des Moines. Skate rental and concessions available.
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Brenton Skating Plaza
520 Robert D. Ray Dr
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A great place to ice skate outside with a beautiful view of downtown Des Moines. Skate rental and concessions available.

Sightseeing

So many great sights both indoors and outdoors!
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Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Dr
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So many great sights both indoors and outdoors!
Visit the state capital grounds for breathtaking views of the downtown skyline, tour the capital building or visit the many monuments.
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Iowa State Capitol
1007 E Grand Ave
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Visit the state capital grounds for breathtaking views of the downtown skyline, tour the capital building or visit the many monuments.

Entertainment

Wells Fargo Arena hosts all kinds of events for all walks of life.
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Wells Fargo Arena
233 Center St
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Wells Fargo Arena hosts all kinds of events for all walks of life.
From traveling exhibits to the IMAX theater the Science Center has something for everyone.
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Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy
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From traveling exhibits to the IMAX theater the Science Center has something for everyone.
Adventureland is Iowa's biggest outdoor amusement park with many rides, water park and circus.
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Adventureland Park
305 Adventureland Dr
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Adventureland is Iowa's biggest outdoor amusement park with many rides, water park and circus.
This is Iowa's only accredited zoo, home to the largest male lion in captivity!
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Zoo Blank Park
7401 SW 9th St
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This is Iowa's only accredited zoo, home to the largest male lion in captivity!
A great place for kids to learn and explore. Most ideal for kids 10 and under.
Des Moines Children Museum
1551 Valley West Drive
A great place for kids to learn and explore. Most ideal for kids 10 and under.
The amphitheater is located right on the river and is a great place to catch live music.
Simon Estes Amphitheater
75 W Locust St
The amphitheater is located right on the river and is a great place to catch live music.
Fantastic historical site that hosts, concerts, shows and lots of local talent.
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Hoyt Sherman Place
1501 Woodland Ave
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Fantastic historical site that hosts, concerts, shows and lots of local talent.
The Des Moines Art Center has free admission and you can do guided or self-guided tours. There is also a beautiful rose garden and plenty of hiking paths close by!
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Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Ave
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The Des Moines Art Center has free admission and you can do guided or self-guided tours. There is also a beautiful rose garden and plenty of hiking paths close by!

City/town information

Downtown Des Moines has something for everyone! Lots of unique restaurants, concerts, outdoor venues, farmers market, exciting night life, sporting events and more!
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Des Moines
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Downtown Des Moines has something for everyone! Lots of unique restaurants, concerts, outdoor venues, farmers market, exciting night life, sporting events and more!

Neighborhoods

The historic East Village is minutes away in downtown Des Moines. This neighborhood is home for one of kind shopping, dining and event venues.
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East Village
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The historic East Village is minutes away in downtown Des Moines. This neighborhood is home for one of kind shopping, dining and event venues.
Historic Valley Junction has many local restaurants and and shops. They have a nice farmers market on Thursday nights during the summer.
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Valley Junction
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Historic Valley Junction has many local restaurants and and shops. They have a nice farmers market on Thursday nights during the summer.

Food scene

The best place to grab coffee and tea!
Smokey Row Coffee
111 E Monroe St
The best place to grab coffee and tea!
Chucks has been a local favorite for years! Great pizza, pasta and sandwiches!
Chuck's
3610 6th Avenue
Chucks has been a local favorite for years! Great pizza, pasta and sandwiches!
A one of kind local restaurant is a must visit for any zombie lover!
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Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
300 E Grand Ave
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A one of kind local restaurant is a must visit for any zombie lover!
Chicago Speakeasy has a great menu including an extensive salad bar complete with a traditional speakeasy feel!
Chicago Speakeasy
1520 Euclid Ave
Chicago Speakeasy has a great menu including an extensive salad bar complete with a traditional speakeasy feel!
Splash has some of the freshest seafood in the Des Moines area.
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Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
303 Locust St
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Splash has some of the freshest seafood in the Des Moines area.
Gateway Market offers great natural grocery shopping as well as dine-in eating.
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Gateway Market
2002 Woodland Ave
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Gateway Market offers great natural grocery shopping as well as dine-in eating.
A nice fine dining experience!
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801 Chophouse
801 Grand Ave
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A nice fine dining experience!
A great local ice cream parlor with fantastic unique flavors!
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Black Cat Ice Cream
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A great local ice cream parlor with fantastic unique flavors!
A local staple for healthy, organic foods and drinks! They also have great coffee and tea. I highly recommend the Pink Dragon smoothie!
Kava DSM
300 West Martin Luther King Junior Parkway
A local staple for healthy, organic foods and drinks! They also have great coffee and tea. I highly recommend the Pink Dragon smoothie!

Bars and Night Life

A fun local bar featuring English beers
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The Royal Mile
210 4th St
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A fun local bar featuring English beers
A great local bar with a huge selection of beers on tap. It is also connected to The Highlife Lounge which features a pretty extensive menu for a bar. Both are good for watching games, have nice patios and sometimes host life music.
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El Bait Shop
200 SW 2nd St
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A great local bar with a huge selection of beers on tap. It is also connected to The Highlife Lounge which features a pretty extensive menu for a bar. Both are good for watching games, have nice patios and sometimes host life music.
A great local sports bar in the heart of downtown Des Moines.
Johnny's Hall of Fame
302 Court Ave
A great local sports bar in the heart of downtown Des Moines.