Tasty Tacos

2900 E Euclid Ave · ~0.3 mi · ~7 min walk · ~2 min drive · tastytacos.com

Hours: Mon–Sat 11 AM–10 PM (closed Sun)

(515) 262-1100 · Des Moines institution — walk down Euclid for tacos, burritos, and the famous flour tacos.

Granny’s Sweet Freeze Shoppe

3417 Hubbell Ave · ~0.8 mi · ~18 min walk · ~3 min drive · Info

Mar–Sep: Mon–Sat 12–9 PM, Sun 1–9 PM

(515) 266-0887 · Soft serve, Arctic Swirls, sodas, burgers. Pet-friendly window.

Iowa State Capitol

1007 E Grand Ave · ~4 mi · ~20 min bike · ~10 min drive · Tours

Hours: Mon–Fri 8–5, Sat 8–4 (closed Sun). Free self-guided tours.

(515) 281-5591 · Golden dome — pair with the Historical Museum next door.

State Historical Museum of Iowa

600 E Locust St · ~4 mi · ~20 min bike · ~10 min drive · iowaculture.gov

Iowa history from prairie to present. Steps from the Capitol.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

1330 Grand Ave · ~4.5 mi · ~22 min bike · ~10 min drive

Free outdoor sculpture in the Western Gateway.

Principal Riverwalk

Downtown riverfront · ~4 mi · ~20 min bike · ~10 min drive · Trails

Paved paths along both rivers — skyline views and bridge crossings.

Des Moines Art Center

4700 Grand Ave · ~5 mi · ~25 min bike · ~12 min drive · Art Center

Free admission. Saarinen, Meier, and Piano building.

Science Center of Iowa

401 W MLK Jr Pkwy · ~4.5 mi · ~22 min bike · ~12 min drive · sciowa.org

Hands-on exhibits and IMAX — good rainy-day family stop.

Downtown Farmers’ Market

Court District · ~4 mi · ~20 min bike · ~10 min drive · Saturdays

~12 blocks, ~300 vendors, opens 7 AM (8 AM in October).

2026: May 2 – Oct 31 · Vendor lists

Gray’s Lake & Biergarten

~3.5 mi · ~18 min bike · ~8 min drive · ~2 mi loop

Lake loop south of downtown; pedestrian tunnel under Fleur to Biergarten.

Water Works Park

2201 George Flagg Pkwy · ~4 mi · ~20 min bike · ~10 min drive · Park info

Hours: daily 6 AM–10 PM

~1,500 acres across from Gray’s Lake; concerts in season.

Lauridsen Skate Park

901 Harriet St · ~4.5 mi · ~22 min bike · ~12 min drive

Huge skate park on the river — great views even if you’re not skating.

Adventureland Resort

3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona · ~6 mi · ~30 min bike · ~12 min drive · Calendar

(515) 266-2121 · Theme park + water park; hours vary by date.

Blank Park Zoo

7401 SW 9th St · ~8 mi · ~40 min bike · ~15 min drive · Zoo

Hours: daily 9 AM–5 PM

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

909 Robert D Ray Dr · ~4.5 mi · ~22 min bike · ~12 min drive · Botanical Garden

Conservatory and outdoor gardens downtown.

Living History Farms

11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale · ~12 mi · ~60 min bike · ~20 min drive · lhf.org

Hours: Tue–Sat 9 AM–4 PM (seasonal)

(515) 278-5286 · 300 years of Iowa farm life — plan a half day.

El Bait Shop

200 SW 2nd St · ~4.5 mi · ~22 min bike · ~12 min drive · elbaitshop.com

100+ taps, cask ales, patio near Court Avenue.

Lua Brewing

1525 High St · ~4.5 mi · ~22 min bike · ~12 min drive · luabeer.com

Award-winning brewpub — beer, brunch, full menu.

Confluence Brewing

1235 Thomas Beck Rd · ~3.5 mi · ~18 min bike · ~8 min drive · Taproom

(515) 285-9005 · Dog-friendly beer garden south of Gray’s Lake.

Zombie Burger + Drink Lab

300 E Grand Ave · ~4 mi · ~20 min bike · ~10 min drive · zombieburger.com

Creative burgers and shakes downtown.

Fong’s Pizza

2233 E 38th St · ~3 mi · ~15 min bike · ~8 min drive · fongspizza.com

Tiki pizza and pupus — do not skip the Crab Rangoon pizza. Seriously.

Waveland Cafe

413 6th Ave · ~4 mi · ~20 min bike · ~10 min drive

Old-school diner breakfast — eggs, hash browns, bottomless coffee.

Iowa State Fair

3000 E Grand Ave · ~3 mi · ~15 min bike · ~8 min drive · Fair site

Mid-August (11 days) — arrive early, plan a full day.

Iowa Cubs at Principal Park

1 Line Dr · ~4 mi · ~20 min bike · ~10 min drive · Schedule

Triple-A baseball along the river — summer evenings.

Hy-Vee Summer Arts Series

Metro parks · Free performances

Outdoor shows in summer — bring chairs or a blanket.

World Food & Music Festival

Downtown · ~4 mi · ~20 min bike · ~10 min drive · Festival

Fall weekend — global food booths and live music.

Saylorville Lake & Big Creek State Park

Polk City area · ~18 mi · ~25 min drive · Big Creek

Boating, fishing, beach/swim area in summer.

Jester Park

11407 NW Jester Park Dr, Granger · ~22 mi · ~30 min drive · Jester Park

Wooded trails, nature center, bison/elk viewing.

Amana Colonies

Amana, IA · ~30 mi · ~40 min drive · Amana

German heritage villages — shops, bakeries, wine, meals.

Reiman Gardens

1407 University Blvd, Ames · ~35 mi · ~45 min drive · Reiman Gardens

ISU gardens and butterfly wing.

Madison County Covered Bridges

Winterset area · ~45 mi · ~55 min drive · Travel Iowa

Scenic bridge loop — combine with Winterset square.

Hy-Vee — East Euclid

2540 E Euclid Ave · ~0.2 mi · ~4 min walk · ~3 min drive · Store

Hours: daily 6 AM–11 PM

Clean Laundry (Euclid)

2515 E Euclid Ave · ~0.1 mi · ~2 min walk · Laundry

Hours: daily 5 AM–11 PM

Aldi — East 14th

3940 E 14th St · ~2.5 mi · ~13 min bike · ~8 min drive

Hours: daily 9 AM–8 PM

Gateway Market

2002 Woodland Ave · ~4.5 mi · ~22 min bike · ~10 min drive · Gateway

Specialty grocer — Sherman Hill (not the East Village strip).

Fresh Thyme — West Des Moines

2900 University Ave · ~15 min drive · Store

Hours: daily 7 AM–9 PM

Costco — Ankeny

4000 NE Spectrum Dr · ~15 min drive · Costco

Mon–Fri 10–8:30, Sat 9:30–7, Sun 10–6

Sam’s Club — Ankeny

4625 SE Delaware Ave · ~14 min drive · Sam’s

Hours: daily 9 AM–8 PM

Casey’s CAT Scale (Ankeny)

1515 SE Corporate Woods Dr · ~12 min drive · Truck stops

24-hour CAT scale · I-35 Exit 89

Ferrellgas (propane)

4415 NE 14th St · ~3 mi · ~15 min bike · ~8 min drive · Ferrellgas

Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 (grill-tank dock)

Bike trail maps

Interactive map · PDF

600+ miles of connected trails in the metro.

Mobile RV repair

Family First: (515) 850-7757 · MILTECH: (515) 257-6021 · Welch’s (Altoona): (515) 240-0020

They come to you — call ahead for trip fees and availability.