Chez Jennie Recommends....
Drinks & Nightlife
Do you like tater tots and retro charm? I do! http://thehighlifelounge.com/
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The High Life Lounge
200 Southwest 2nd StreetDo you like tater tots and retro charm? I do! http://thehighlifelounge.com/
A kitschy midcentury spot located in the lobby of the old Register and Tribune building downtown. Everyone raves!
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hello, Marjorie
717 Locust StA kitschy midcentury spot located in the lobby of the old Register and Tribune building downtown. Everyone raves!
A slice of old school Des Moines: a working class bar that is progressively getting hipper. Still really a great place.
The Greenwood Lounge
3707 Ingersoll AveA slice of old school Des Moines: a working class bar that is progressively getting hipper. Still really a great place.
A dive bar, pure and simple, but because it's on Ingersoll, it attracts a younger and cooler crowd that mingles with the regulars.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Alpine Tap Room
2720 Ingersoll AveA dive bar, pure and simple, but because it's on Ingersoll, it attracts a younger and cooler crowd that mingles with the regulars.
It feels like a classy 1930's hotel bar. I was here on Super Bowl Sunday and there were people dressed up and talking about theater! There is an old fashioned phone booth to use to call for pizza to be delivered to your table from Gusto, a couple of doors down.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Juniper Moon
2005 Ingersoll AveIt feels like a classy 1930's hotel bar. I was here on Super Bowl Sunday and there were people dressed up and talking about theater! There is an old fashioned phone booth to use to call for pizza to be delivered to your table from Gusto, a couple of doors down.
Sister bar to Hello, Marjorie, in the East Village. Recently featured in Imbibe Magazine.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bellhop
440 E Grand AveSister bar to Hello, Marjorie, in the East Village. Recently featured in Imbibe Magazine.
Fun and kitschy: you tell them what you like in a drink, ad they concoct something. Midcentury interior, very laid back vibe.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Bartender's Handshake
3615 Ingersoll AveFun and kitschy: you tell them what you like in a drink, ad they concoct something. Midcentury interior, very laid back vibe.
Food Scene
Classy brunch spot with great drinks. http://www.eateryadsm.com/
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Eatery A
2932 Ingersoll AveClassy brunch spot with great drinks. http://www.eateryadsm.com/
Caribbean and barbecue at a favorite local spot just a couple of blocks away from the house. http://flyingmango.com/
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Flying Mango
4345 Hickman RdCaribbean and barbecue at a favorite local spot just a couple of blocks away from the house. http://flyingmango.com/
Neighborhood coffee shop, locally owned, less than half a mile from the house.
http://www.groundsforcelebration.com/beaverdale.html
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Grounds for Celebration
2709 Beaver AveNeighborhood coffee shop, locally owned, less than half a mile from the house.
http://www.groundsforcelebration.com/beaverdale.html
Neighborhood pizza within walking distance (1/3 of a mile to be precise). A nice little place.
http://www.dsmpizza.com/
Michael's Pizza
2629 Beaver AvenueNeighborhood pizza within walking distance (1/3 of a mile to be precise). A nice little place.
http://www.dsmpizza.com/
A great family owned doughnut shop with good coffee, and they also make the celebrated Des Moines specialty, champagne cake!
Donut Hut
4941 Douglas AveA great family owned doughnut shop with good coffee, and they also make the celebrated Des Moines specialty, champagne cake!
Snookie's is a Beaverdale tradition: people camp out the night before they open for the season. They serve custard, so more soft serve, but the people watching is hysterical, they have little cones for dogs, and it's very yummy. And not a bad walk from the house.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Snookies Malt Shop
1810 Beaver AveSnookie's is a Beaverdale tradition: people camp out the night before they open for the season. They serve custard, so more soft serve, but the people watching is hysterical, they have little cones for dogs, and it's very yummy. And not a bad walk from the house.
Very elegant 1920s speakeasy vibe bar with unusual and retro cocktails in the really up and coming Ingersoll district.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Juniper Moon
2005 Ingersoll AveVery elegant 1920s speakeasy vibe bar with unusual and retro cocktails in the really up and coming Ingersoll district.
This is upscale crazy Mexican food. Three different shrimp tacos, all amazing, great drinks. Located in the same building as the Des Moines Social Club, which used to be the main firehouse. http://malodesmoines.com/
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Malo
900 Mulberry StThis is upscale crazy Mexican food. Three different shrimp tacos, all amazing, great drinks. Located in the same building as the Des Moines Social Club, which used to be the main firehouse. http://malodesmoines.com/
Aposto is located in a lovely old home in the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood. Explore the website: Pricey, but impeccable. http://www.apostodm.com/
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aposto at the Scala House
644 18th StAposto is located in a lovely old home in the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood. Explore the website: Pricey, but impeccable. http://www.apostodm.com/
Unchanged by time steakhouse: it's so retro, it seems weird that it ISN'T filled with smoke. https://theoriginaljessesembers.com/
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jesse's Embers
3301 Ingersoll AveUnchanged by time steakhouse: it's so retro, it seems weird that it ISN'T filled with smoke. https://theoriginaljessesembers.com/
I'm an old lady, so to me it's a tad expensive for burgers and fries, but it's sooo worth it! These are the best fries I've had in forever. So good!
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lachele's Fine Foods
2716 Ingersoll AvenueI'm an old lady, so to me it's a tad expensive for burgers and fries, but it's sooo worth it! These are the best fries I've had in forever. So good!
Everything Else
Our locally owned small bookstore, .4 miles away. Frequent readings and activities and a great selection of local authors' books.
http://www.beaverdalebooks.com/
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Beaverdale Books
2629 Beaver AveOur locally owned small bookstore, .4 miles away. Frequent readings and activities and a great selection of local authors' books.
http://www.beaverdalebooks.com/
Tuesday from 4 to 7:30 is our neighborhood farmer's market: smaller and within walking distance of my house. It's a nice little interlude, and often the music is darn good.
Beaverdale Farmers Market
4801 Franklin AvenueTuesday from 4 to 7:30 is our neighborhood farmer's market: smaller and within walking distance of my house. It's a nice little interlude, and often the music is darn good.
Gray’s Lake is a 166-acre park, just south of downtown Des Moines, east of Fleur Drive. The park has a loop trail, beach, boat rentals, fishing, and much more. https://www.dsm.city/business_detail_T6_R58.php
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Gray's Lake
2101 Fleur DrGray’s Lake is a 166-acre park, just south of downtown Des Moines, east of Fleur Drive. The park has a loop trail, beach, boat rentals, fishing, and much more. https://www.dsm.city/business_detail_T6_R58.php
Shopping
This is an old warehouse/shopping district very near the capital that has transformed into our very own hipster scene. You can buy vintage toilets, eat sushi, take part in a tea ceremony, or buy a saucy T-shirt from Des Moines' own Raygun. https://eastvillagedesmoines.com/
64 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
East Village
This is an old warehouse/shopping district very near the capital that has transformed into our very own hipster scene. You can buy vintage toilets, eat sushi, take part in a tea ceremony, or buy a saucy T-shirt from Des Moines' own Raygun. https://eastvillagedesmoines.com/
https://www.raygunsite.com/ Raygun is kind of a way of life. It started in 2006 by a Des Moines native who moved home after dropping out of college in the east, and has exploded: he sells Midwest positive and snarky T-shirts and collectibles, and has expanded to 3 or 4 stores in the Midwest. It's the anchor of the East Village and draws tourists like crazy. I own eight Raygun shirts and I wasn't even trying. There are three little snack and restaurant spaces inside the store building and all their stuff is made in the USA.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
RAYGUN
505 E Grand Avehttps://www.raygunsite.com/ Raygun is kind of a way of life. It started in 2006 by a Des Moines native who moved home after dropping out of college in the east, and has exploded: he sells Midwest positive and snarky T-shirts and collectibles, and has expanded to 3 or 4 stores in the Midwest. It's the anchor of the East Village and draws tourists like crazy. I own eight Raygun shirts and I wasn't even trying. There are three little snack and restaurant spaces inside the store building and all their stuff is made in the USA.
From the first Saturday of May through the last Saturday of October, The Market has 300 vendors from across the state. It's the best place to people watch and meet random dogs and children: it's like the Iowa State Fair, only every Saturday! Go early to get parking. Prepare to be wowed. There is a nice Winter Market too, but it is no match! https://www.dsmpartnership.com/desmoinesfarmersmarket/
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Farmers Market
231-299 Water StFrom the first Saturday of May through the last Saturday of October, The Market has 300 vendors from across the state. It's the best place to people watch and meet random dogs and children: it's like the Iowa State Fair, only every Saturday! Go early to get parking. Prepare to be wowed. There is a nice Winter Market too, but it is no match! https://www.dsmpartnership.com/desmoinesfarmersmarket/
Entertainment & Activities
This is rumored to be the largest farmers market in the US. It's like every Saturday morning they put on a small state fair downtown. It's not just literally buying produce: there are artists selling works, food stalls and trucks, people selling beautiful clothes, you name it. The people watching alone makes it worth it. https://www.dsmpartnership.com/desmoinesfarmersmarket/
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Farmers Market
231-299 Water StThis is rumored to be the largest farmers market in the US. It's like every Saturday morning they put on a small state fair downtown. It's not just literally buying produce: there are artists selling works, food stalls and trucks, people selling beautiful clothes, you name it. The people watching alone makes it worth it. https://www.dsmpartnership.com/desmoinesfarmersmarket/
Gorgeous! https://www.dmbotanicalgarden.com/
53 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray DrGorgeous! https://www.dmbotanicalgarden.com/
a long, long trail with lots to see. http://www.iowabytrail.com/find-a-trail/82/neal-smith-trail/
Neal Smith Trail
Neal Smith Traila long, long trail with lots to see. http://www.iowabytrail.com/find-a-trail/82/neal-smith-trail/
In the spring, there are acres of different kinds of lilacs. As summer goes on, because it's an enormous park, over 350 acres, it's a great place to be outside, go for a walk, or have a picnic. https://www.dsm.city/business_detail_T6_R49.php
Ewing Park
5300 Indianola AvenueIn the spring, there are acres of different kinds of lilacs. As summer goes on, because it's an enormous park, over 350 acres, it's a great place to be outside, go for a walk, or have a picnic. https://www.dsm.city/business_detail_T6_R49.php
A gorgeous park with historic lodge and lots of space for picnics and activities. More info here: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610133
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Walnut Woods State Park
3155 Walnut Woods DrA gorgeous park with historic lodge and lots of space for picnics and activities. More info here: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610133
Arts & Culture
Built as a private home in the 1880s or so, it was purchased in the early 20th century and turned into a theater space. It's a great space to see a comic in particular! http://hoytsherman.org/
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hoyt Sherman Place
1501 Woodland AveBuilt as a private home in the 1880s or so, it was purchased in the early 20th century and turned into a theater space. It's a great space to see a comic in particular! http://hoytsherman.org/
Just in the past 10 or 15 years Des Moines has gone all in on public art. We're still kind of amazed!
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque de Esculturas Pappajohn
1330 Grand AveJust in the past 10 or 15 years Des Moines has gone all in on public art. We're still kind of amazed!
Awesome, world class museum. The architecture of the original museum wing was designed in a combination of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles by Eliel Saarinen in 1945 and completed in 1948. The second addition was designed in a Modernist style by I.M. Pei in 1966 and completed in 1968. The third wing was designed by Richard Meier and completed in 1985. I have always called it "the toilet," affectionately (It's very white and smooth...).
https://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/
87 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand AveAwesome, world class museum. The architecture of the original museum wing was designed in a combination of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles by Eliel Saarinen in 1945 and completed in 1948. The second addition was designed in a Modernist style by I.M. Pei in 1966 and completed in 1968. The third wing was designed by Richard Meier and completed in 1985. I have always called it "the toilet," affectionately (It's very white and smooth...).
https://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/
Sightseeing
It is the most beautiful library in the world, built in the early days of the last century. Worth just standing and looking, particularly if you're down touring the capital already. https://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/services/collections/law-library
State Law Library
1007 East Grand AvenueIt is the most beautiful library in the world, built in the early days of the last century. Worth just standing and looking, particularly if you're down touring the capital already. https://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/services/collections/law-library
I'm partial, but I think our state capital is the most gorgeous in the US. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/resources/tourCapitol
56 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Iowa State Capitol
1007 E Grand AveI'm partial, but I think our state capital is the most gorgeous in the US. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/resources/tourCapitol
Salisbury House was built in the 1920s by a local cosmetics magnate. The home was modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England, and he went crazy buying furniture, art, and architectural details dating back to the 16th century.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Salisbury House
4025 Tonawanda DrSalisbury House was built in the 1920s by a local cosmetics magnate. The home was modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England, and he went crazy buying furniture, art, and architectural details dating back to the 16th century.
"A four-mile trail system winds through steep slopes and scenic overviews, with sandstone ledges towering 100 feet above the Des Moines River. Numerous 1930s CCC structures can be viewed throughout the park including an iconic stone bridge spanning Peas Creek. An ideal destination for the seasoned hiker, daytime picnickers and campers, Ledges State Park takes visitors on a breathtaking excursion amongst Iowa’s natural beauty." https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/Ledges-State-Park
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Estatal Ledges
1515 P Ave"A four-mile trail system winds through steep slopes and scenic overviews, with sandstone ledges towering 100 feet above the Des Moines River. Numerous 1930s CCC structures can be viewed throughout the park including an iconic stone bridge spanning Peas Creek. An ideal destination for the seasoned hiker, daytime picnickers and campers, Ledges State Park takes visitors on a breathtaking excursion amongst Iowa’s natural beauty." https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/Ledges-State-Park