Most of the time, when someone thinks of Des Moines, Iowa, they think of the first caucuses of the presidential primary cycle. Others think of our beautiful city’s insurance hub. Still others may envision corn fields, pigs, and outhouses (no, we don’t have those!).
If you have not been to De Moi *spoken with a French accent* (how the fancy farmers pronounce it) lately, you are missing a lot! Forgive us while we brag for a moment, courtesy of the Des Moines Partnership:
- #8 Best U.S. City for Work-Life Balance — GOBankingRates, 2019
- One of 3 Cities Bucking the Tide of Midwest Talent & Population Loss — Site Selection, 2019
- #1 Metro for Millennials to Buy Homes — Grow Magazine, 2019
- #3 Top Market for Opportunity Employment Share — Site Selection, 2019
- #2 Top City for Young Home Buyers — Clever Real Estate, 2019
- #7 Hot Spot for Data Science Jobs — Burning Glass, 2019
- #6 Best Places to Work in Tech — SmartAsset, 2019
- #7 Best City for Living the American Dream — SmartAsset, 2019
- #5 Best Place to Live in the U.S. — U.S. News & World Report, 2019
- #3 Best Affordable Place to Live in the U.S. — U.S. News & World Report, 2019
- #3 Metro for Number of Economic Development Projects Among Metros with a Population of 200,000 – 1 Million — SiteSelection, 2019
- Top 10 Best State Capital to Live in — WalletHub, 2019
- Top 7 Most Recession-Proof City in the U.S. — Livability, 2019
- #7 Best Place for Business and Careers — Forbes, 2018
- #4 Top City With a Low Cost of Living and High Quality of Life — BadCredit.org, 2018
- #8 Best City to Find Small Business Jobs — ZipRecruiter, 2018
- #1 Most Popular City for Millennial Homebuyers — Lending Tree, 2018
- Top 10 Most-Artistic Medium-Sized City — Expedia, 2018
- #8 Best Job Market — ZipRecruiter, 2018
- One of 5 Up-and-Coming Tech Hotspots — Livability, 2018
- One of 12 Surprisingly Great Places to Retire in the Midwest — Kiplinger, 2018
- World Festival and Event City — International Festivals and Events Association, 2017
- #7 Place Where Jobs Will Be in 2018 — Forbes, 2017
- #5 Best Place for Business and Careers — Forbes, 2017
- #9 Best City for Quality of Life — NerdWallet, 2017
- #1 Minor League Sports Market — SportsBusiness Journal, 2017
- #6 Best Place to Be a Teacher — SmartAsset, 2017
- #4 Top City for Real Estate in the Midwest — PwC, 2017
- #10 Best City for Tech Workers — SmartAsset, 2017
- #1 Best Place for Millennials to Live in the Midwest — Growella, 2017
- #4 Best Place for Children — SmartAsset, 2017
- #5 Best City for Successful Aging — Milken Institute, 2017
- Top 25 Community for Well-Being — Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, 2017
- #3 Best Place to Live with a Low Cost of Living — Business Insider, 2017
- #7 Most Charitable City — CNBC, 2017
- #9 Best City to Get Out of Credit Card Debt — SmartAsset, 2017
- One of 15 of America’s Most Incredible Farmers’ Markets — Mental Floss, 2016
- #8 Best City for Book Lovers — SmartAsset, 2016
- One of 10 Underrated Cities for Art Lovers — S. News & World Report, 2016
- #9 Best Place to Start a Business — CNBC, 2016
So, regardless of your reasons for visiting us, there are a million reasons to stay. Come for a day, or come for a week; our home city has unlimited opportunities for you to spend your time here.
We put together some terrific suggestions for your stay in the Butler Personal Concierge©, including:
Activities:
Adventureland* (14.1 miles)
3200 Adventureland Drive
Altoona, Iowa 50009
(515) 266-2121
Ashworth Pool (0.3 miles)
101 SW 45th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 243-3567
The Blank Park Zoo (7.7 miles)
7401 SW 9th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50315
(515) 285-4722
Brenton Skating Plaza (4.7 miles)
520 Robert D. Ray Drive
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 284-1000
Des Moines Art Center (0.3 miles)
4700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 277-4405
The Des Moines Art Festival* (3.6 miles)
700 Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 286-4927
The Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market* (4.7 miles)
1007 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 286-4928
The Des Moines Public Library (3.6 miles)
1000 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 283-4152
Gray’s Lake Park (3.5 miles)
2101 Fleur Drive
Des Moines, Iowa 50321
(515) 237-1386
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (5.2 miles)
909 Robert D. Ray Drive
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 323-6290
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (4.8 miles)
909 Robert D. Ray Drive
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 323-6290
Greenwood Park, Claire and Mile Mills Rose Garden (0.3 miles)
100 45th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 237-1386
The Heritage Carousel of Des Moines* (5.2 miles)
Union Park
Des Moines, Iowa 50316
(515) 362-5958
Hoyt Sherman Place (2.5 miles)
1501 Woodland Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 244-0507
Iowa Capitol
1007 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
(515) 281-5591
Iowa State Fair*(7.2 miles)
3000 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50317
(515) 262-3111
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park(2.5 miles)
1330 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 237-1386
www.DesMoinesArtCenter.org/visit/pappajohn-sculpture-park
Living History Farms (8.4 miles)
11121 Hickman Road
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
(515) 278-5286
Prairie Meadows Casino(14.2 miles)
1 Prairie Meadows Drive
Altoona, Iowa 50009
(515) 967-1000
The Register’s Great Bike Race Across Iowa (RAGBRAI)*
Iowa
www.RAGBRAI.com
The Salisbury House & Gardens (0.8 miles)
4025 Tonawanda Drive
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 274-1777
Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theatre (4.5 miles)
401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 274-6868
The State Historical Museum of Iowa (4.6 miles)
600 E. Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
(515) 281-5111
www. IowaCulture.gov/history/museum
Terrace Hill (1.6 miles)
2300 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 281-7205
* Seasonal events; check website for additional details on scheduling
Bars:
Bartender’s Handshake(0.8 miles)
3615 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 630-3008
www.TheBartendersHandshake.com
Blazing Saddle(4.6 miles)
416 E. 5th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 246-1299
www.EastVillageDesMoines.com/listing/blazing-saddle/
Garden Nightclub (4.9 miles)
112 SE 4th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 243-3965
www.EastVillageDesMoines.com/listing/garden-nightclub/
(3.0 miles)
111 S. 11th Street
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
(515) 608-4100
Juniper Moon (2.0 miles)
2005 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 369-7786
Sakari Sushi Lounge
2605 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 288-3381
The Station(1.1 miles)
3124 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 381-0052
Sully’s Irish Pub(1.3 miles)
860 1st Street
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
Wellman’s Pub(1.3 miles)
2920 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 245-9737
The Yacht Club (1.5 miles)
2617 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 245-9208
Entertainment:
Brenton Skating Plaza(4.3 miles)
520 Robert D. Ray Drive
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 284-1000
www.DSMPartnership.com/brentonplaza/
Des Moines Performing Arts (4.3 miles)
221 Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 246-2300
www.DesMoinesPerformingArts.org
Des Moines Symphony (2.6 miles)
The Temple for Performing Arts
1011 Locust Street, #200
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 280-4000
Gas Lamp(2.2 miles)
1501 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 280-3778
Hoyt Sherman Place (3.1 miles)
1501 Woodland Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 244-0507
Iowa Barnstormers Football (4.1 miles)
Wells Fargo Arena
730 Third Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 633-2255
Iowa Wolves Basketball(4.1 miles)
Wells Fargo Arena
730 Third Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 564-8550
www.Iowa.GLeague.NBA.com/contact-us/
Iowa Wild Hockey(4.1 miles)
Wells Fargo Arena
730 Third Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 564-8700
Iowa Speedway Racing (41.2 miles)
3333 Rusty Wallace Drive
Newton, Iowa 50208
(641) 791-8000
www.IowaSpeedway.com
Movies
AMC Classic Cobblestone 9 (5.6 miles)
8501 Hickman Road
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
(515) 276-2419
www.AMCTheatres.com/movie-theatres/des-moines-ia/amc-classic-cobblestone-9
Century 20 Jordan Creek and XD (9.2 miles)
101 Jordan Creek Parkway, Suite 2000
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
(515) 267-8981
www.Cinemark.com/theatres/ia-west-des-moines/century-20-jordan-creek-and-xd
Flix Brewhouse (4.2 miles)
3800 Merle Hay Road, Suite 1300
Des Moines, Iowa
(515) 612-9200
www.FlixBrewhouse.com/Des-Moines/cinema-info/
The Playhouse(0.8 miles)
831 42nd Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 277-6261
Principal Park Baseball (4.8 miles)
1 Line Drive
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 243-6111
Wells Fargo Arena Concerts(4.1 miles)
Wells Fargo Arena
730 Third Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 564-8000
Restaurants:
American Cuisine
801 Chophouse Des Moines (2.7 miles)
*the BEST steak you will ever have in your life*
801 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 288-6000
Bauder’s and Donut King (0.7 miles
*the BEST ice cream*
3802 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 255-1124
www.Facebook.com/pages/Bauder%20Pharmacy/121235987925823
Felix & Oscar’s(4.4 miles)
*the tastiest sauce-on-top pizza you can get*
4050 Merle Hay Road
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
(515) 278-8887
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill (10.1 miles)
*great patio and the chicken tortilla soup is unmatched*
440 S. 68th Street
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
(515) 259-8540
www.West-Des-Moines.FirebirdsRestaurants.com
Taste of New York(9.4 miles)
*Brooklyn style pizza that makes New Yorkers jealous*
165 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, Suite 160
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
(515) 223-8669
The Waveland Café (1.2 miles)
*you will never eat better hash browns during your existence*
4708 University Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
(515) 279-4341
Whalburgers(9.7 miles)
*you will want seconds of their chocolate cake shake*
7105 Mills Civic Parkway, Suite 160
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
(515) 225-4885
www.Wahlburgers.com/westdesmoines
Zombie Burger (4.5 miles)
*a MUST for every burger enthusiast*
300 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 244-9292
Asian Cuisine
Shanghai Chinese Restaurant (12.8 miles)
*hot & sour soup and pot stickers that are yummy*
33 NE Carefree Lane
Waukee, Iowa 50263
(515) 987-3111
Italian Cuisine
Centro (2.7 miles)
*the hand-rolled cavatelli is to die for*
1003 Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 248-1780
Noah’s Ark (1.6 miles)
*cannoli cannot get any better than theirs*
2400 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 288-2246
Mexican Cuisine
Taco Casa (4.3 miles)
*the biggest, yummiest soft shells AND hardshells*
2506 Euclid Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
(515) 279-7785
Tasty Tacos(5.2 miles)
*flour taco shells make this staple unforgettable*
1400 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50316
(515) 266-4242
And if you are less adventurous, or our favorites do not get your attention, here are some nearby alternatives:
Drake Diner (2.6 miles)
1111 25th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
(515) 277-1111
Eatery A (1.2 miles)
2932 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 282-8085
McDonald’s (1.1 miles)
6125 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 255-2543
Palmer’s Deli & Market (1.3 miles)
2843 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 274-4004
Panchero’s Mexican Grill (1.4 miles)
2708 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 777-2898
Star Bar (1.4 miles)
2811 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 244-0790
Taco John’s (3.0 miles)
350 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
(515) 255-4485
Viva Mexican Restaurant (1.1 miles)
6101 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 255-8238
Wendy’s (1.4 miles)
225 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
(515) 277-7472
Shopping:
Jordan Creek Town Center (9.2 miles)
101 Jordan Creek Parkway
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
(515) 224-5000
Ray Gun (4.6 miles)
505 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 288-1323
The Shops in the Historic East Village (4.6 miles)
East 6th Street and Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Sticks, Inc. (4.6 miles)
400 E. Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 282-0844
Tandem Brick Gallery (1.4 miles)
2722 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
\(515) 282-1031
Outlets of Des Moines (14.3 miles)
801 Bass Pro Drive
Altoona, (515) 380-7400
Target(5.5 miles)
1800 Valley West Drive
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
(515) 225-3784
Walgreens(0.9 miles)
3501 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 271-5047
Wal-Mart (3.7 miles)
1001 73rd Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50324
(515) 274-6359