Fun things to do in Des Moines this winter: From kid-friendly entertainment to great food
Welcome to Des Moines! Settle in and stay a while.
Where to find great restaurants in Des Moines
Des Moines has a vast range of dining options for every occasion. Whether you're planning quick bite before a Civic Center show, grabbing drinks after work with friends or looking for a one-of-a-kind meal, look no further than this list.
Special occasion: Reserve a table at Harbinger for an unforgettable meal. Perennial James Beard Foundation semifinalist Joe Tripp opened his ode to vegetables in 2018 in a brick-lined room along Ingersoll Avenue. The artful small plates — such as fingerling potatoes glazed with umami butter, a sablefish miso or pork shoulder steak lacquered with local honey — rotate seasonally. Tripp's slightly more casual Korean fried chicken menu makes an appearance Sunday nights from 4 to 8 p.m.
Harbinger, 2724 Ingersoll Ave.; 515-244-1314
More:9 special occasion restaurants in Des Moines for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries
Breakfast: La Mie Bakery's counter of pastries is on full display in this bustling bakery, but the kitchen's breakfast creations are also worth a try. Indulge in a delicate quiche Florentine with flaky pastry and spinach or an asparagus and brie omelet with a side of fresh fruit. Don't forget a foamy cappuccino or a cold brew to start your day off on the right foot.
La Mie Bakery, 841 42nd St.; 515-255-1625
Breaded pork tenderloin: Smitty's Tenderloin Shop keeps it simple. Topped with ketchup, mustard, pickle and onion, the thin, deep-fried pork loin is bigger than a plate and dwarfs its bun. Starting at $6, the Queen-size sandwich is a killer deal that will fill you up for the whole day, but for a few dollars more, challenge yourself to the King size — just save room for a nap afterward.
Smitty's Tenderloin Shop, 1401 Army Post Road; 515-287-4742
More:Yes, Iowans love pork tenderloin sandwiches. Here are 20 of the best in the Des Moines metro
Old school: Surf-and-turf joint Jesse's Embers has been serving Des Moines since 1963. The traditional steakhouse serves an array of salads, sandwiches and pastas, but most diners come for dinner options such as smoked loin back ribs and a 12-ounce sirloin dubbed the Embers Special. Say hello to owners Marty Scarpino and Deena Edelstein, who wander the dining room to greet customers.
Jesse's Embers, 3301 Ingersoll Ave.; 515-255-6011
Vegan: Des Fresh's approachable vegetable menu is great for vegan eaters and omnivores alike. The food truck turned brick-and-mortar makes a mean crispy chickpea sandwich and other comfort food favorites such as tofu street tacos, veggie spring rolls and fried mac 'n "cheese" bites.
Des Fresh, 520 SW Ninth St., Suite 116; 515-257-6447
Food for the whole family: Delight the kids with a trip to Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. The East Village burger joint provides a thematic atmosphere and creative sandwich and burger options. There is a children's menu, but some kids might enjoy trying one of the wackier menu items such as the Undead Elvis patty stacked high with peanut butter, fried bananas, bacon, cheese, mayo and an egg. Don't skip the breakfast cereal shakes, which can be made boozy for adults.
Zombie Burger, 300 E. Grand Ave.; 515-244-9292
More:8 Des Moines-area restaurants where kids can eat for free that adults will enjoy too
Where to find great bars in Des Moines
Des Moines' nightlife scene is buzzing with bar options. Nearly every neighborhood boasts creative cocktail lounges, beloved dive bars and excellent happy hour deals.
The Bartender's Handshake: This cozy neighborhood bar offers a menu of classics as well as signature cocktails, all served in vintage glassware. The year-round patio comes with an eclectic arrangement of furniture and heaters as well as fire pits that you can roast your own s'mores over.
The Bartender's Handshake, 3615 Ingersoll Ave.; 515-630-3008
Juniper Moon: Juniper Moon's snazzy Ingersoll Avenue space was one of Des Moines' first lounges that focused on bespoke cocktails. The bar has a Roaring ❜20s energy and serves modern craft cocktails such as Rye Me Up & Tai Me Down — a Templeton Rye-based concoction with sherry, passion fruit, orgeat and lime.
Juniper Moon, 2005 Ingersoll Ave.; 515-369-7786
Hello, Marjorie: Stationed in the former Register & Tribune building, this midcentury modern cocktail lounge resembles a very fashionable grandmother's abode, but its drinks are a twist on your grandma's classics. Hello, Marjorie's menu helpfully notes the flavors you should expect in their elaborate and unusual house cocktails, such as The Editor’s Note with High West American Prairie bourbon, Rothman & Winter apricot liqueur and smoked apple bitters or the namesake Marjorie with Skyy vodka and elderberry. It's also a great place to stop for the 'gram with its neon sign boasting Jack Kerouac's famous line from "On The Road," "The prettiest girls in the world live in Des Moines."
Hello, Marjorie, 717 Locust St.; 515-369-2296
Coa Cantina: Coa's multilevel, funky space is home to an extensive tequila and margarita menu in fruity, smoky and classic favorites. With regular DJ parties and a tropical vibe, it's the perfect place to warm up on a cold winter weekend.
Coa Cantina, 425 E. Grand Ave.; 515-280-3097
Carl's Place: Home to Sherman Hill regulars and visitors alike, Carl's is a great spot to grab a cold one and shoot some pool. Meet your neighbors for a casual drink or admire the patron graffiti covering many of the walls.
Carl's Place, 1620 Woodland Ave;, 515-243-9727
Where to find local beer in Des Moines
With 20 craft breweries to choose from in Des Moines, there is no shortage of good beer. Each brewery proudly serves their local brews in area taprooms, and be sure to check with the waitstaff at area restaurants — you'll likely find something brewed here on tap.
More:A guide to 20 Des Moines metro breweries and the bike trails closest to them
The Iowa Taproom: If you want an Iowa beer but don't know where to start, The Iowa Taproom is the perfect place to sample them all. The "unapologetically Iowan" bar and restaurant keeps nearly 100 beers on tap from almost 40 Iowa breweries. Mix and match a flight and find your favorite Iowa beer.
The Iowa Taproom, 215 E. Third St. #100; 515-243-0827
Peace Tree Brewing Co.: Peace Tree first planted roots in Knoxville in 2010 before expanding to a Des Moines branch in 2016. It's a favorite stop for local cyclists and has a lawn patio stocked with games during the summer. In the colder months, sip an award-winning hazy IPA, Get a Little Hazy, or an in-house seltzer while enjoying regular live music and trivia.
Peace Tree Brewing Co., 317 E. Court Ave.; 515-883-2739
Lua Brewing: Owners Scott and Whitney Selix met while working at a craft beer bar, and they've carved a space of their own in the Iowa beer scene with this microbrewery. Lua's beers concentrate on high quality ingredients, and they can often be found collaborating with other area breweries. Try the Loud as Hope, a smooth German Hefeweizen, or Oliver's Oktoberfest, an amber Märzen.
Lua Brewing, 1525 High St.; 515-630-5311
Confluence Brewing Co.: Tucked behind Gray's Lake and along the bike path sits Confluence. The large summer patio hosts food trucks and live musical performances, and the warehouse-style taproom is fitted with windows that peek in on brewing in action. Confluence makes year-round and seasonal brews with wonderful cold-weather options such as Saison Des Moines with hints of cranberry and spruce tips or chocolate birthday cake stout.
Confluence Brewing Co., 1235 Thomas Beck Road; 515-285-9005
Where to keep the kids busy in Des Moines
If you're traveling to Des Moines with children, there are a number of exciting kid-focused hot spots around town to keep them busy. Try one of these family-friendly activities.
Blank Park Zoo: Most people visit the zoo in the summer, but the animals live there year-round and you'll experience them without the summer crowd in the colder months. Once a month, the zoo hosts Kids Night Out, a kids-only evening event with after-hours access to the animal exhibits, crafts, games and a pizza dinner.
Blank Park Zoo, 7401 SW Ninth St.; 515-285-4722
Science Center of Iowa: No matter your children's interests, there is something to discover at the Science Center of Iowa. Spend a day exploring exhibits that examine zoology, interactive physics experiments and a planetarium. Keep an eye on the events calendar for monthly children's programming.
Science Center of Iowa, 401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy.; 515-274-6868
Iowa Wild Hockey Games: Take your family to Wells Fargo Arena to cheer on Iowa's American Hockey League team, the Iowa Wild. There's not a bad seat in the house to catch the action in the rink, and game times range from afternoon to evening.
Brenton Skating Plaza: There is nothing quite like outdoor ice skating under the sparkling lights of the city. Bundle up and rent some skates for an unforgettable evening on the ice. Online registration is recommended as two-hour skate sessions are limited to 175 skaters at a time.
Brenton Skating Plaza, 520 Robert D. Ray Drive; 515-283-4233
Where to find entertainment options in Des Moines
There are no shortage of stages in Des Moines featuring performances ranging from concerts to theaters to stand-up comedy. While you can have a great time at just about any area venue, here are some of the city's highlights that allow you to glimpse live acts.
Wells Fargo Arena is Des Moines' largest indoor venue and regularly schedules everything from music stars to sporting events. Recently, the arena partnered with KultureCity, a Birmingham, Alabama-based non-profit, to introduce sensory kits and a sensory room to help make performances more inclusive for those with sensory disorders.
Wells Fargo Arena,233 Center St.; 515-564-8000
Des Moines Civic Center is the place to be if you’re hoping to see a nationally touring Broadway performance or hear the Des Moines Symphony. Audiences can also expect to see a variety of performers like singer Bernadette Peters or live comedy duo Steve Martin and Martin Short.
Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.; 515-246-2300
Hoyt Sherman Place is perhaps the most eclectic in its offerings, featuring big names like Gladys Knight in the same month as more niche acts like “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” Even if you don’t end up attending a performance, the venue has an art gallery attached and is famous for being Des Moines' first public art museum.
Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave.; 515-244-0507
In the Drake neighborhood, xBk Live is smaller than the aforementioned entertainment venues, but, with a variety of local and touring music acts across genres, the xBk Live calendar is always one worth checking out.
xBk Live, 1159 24th St.; 515-344-3348
In bygone years, Des Moines had something of a local jazz culture, one that is kept alive in the present — in part — by Noce. This downtown jazz club hosts big band performances, guest artists and celebrations of holidays alongside more in a sultry little room that seats 125.
Noce, 1326 Walnut St #100, Des Moines; 515-244-5399
Teehee’s Comedy Club is the place to go if you’re looking for a laugh. Located in downtown Des Moines, the comedy club feels like a Southern speakeasy and features local stand-up to improv to smaller touring performances.
Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut St.; 515-414-1251
Des Moines Community Playhouse is among the oldest and largest community theaters in the United States. Given its community-centric focus, performances may be more few and far between than the aforementioned venues, but its average 12 productions per season mean it’s always worth checking to see if there’s anything happening, especially for the youngsters.
Des Moines Playhouse Community Theatre, 831 42nd St.; 515-277-6261
Where to find art in Des Moines
Though there are numerous murals and instances of public art scattered through the city of Des Moines — and the above-mentioned Hoyt Sherman Place has its own collection — if you're looking to spend a day looking at a world-class art collection.
Des Moines Art Center admits guests for free six days a week. The building's permanent collection focuses largely on modern art pieces from the past 100 years or so with work from creators such as John Singer Sargent, Ralston Crawford and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The center also has educational programming and oversees downtown Des Moines' John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave.; 515-277-4405
Where to shop in Des Moines
There’s never a bad time for retail therapy. Scattered across the Des Moines metro are countless small businesses with unique Iowa-themed gifts and specialty products you can tell your friends, “Yeah, I got that when I was in Des Moines.”
Not much of a shopper? Go window shopping and check these out anyway:
Raygun: Self-declared as "the greatest store in the universe," Raygun is known for its snarky, block-text T-shirts and witty merchandise. The store, offering only the most satirical Midwestern souvenirs, also happens to attract presidential candidates and other politicians during election cycles.
Raygun, 505 E Grand Ave.; 515-288-1323
Beaverdale Books: Slinging classics and new releases since 2006, Beaverdale Books has an entire section devoted to Iowa authors. Ask staff for recommendations or join one of the book clubs at the store.
Beaverdale Books, 2629 Beaver Ave., 515-279-5400
Chocolaterie Stam: Need a stocking stuffer beyond national candy brands? The Stam family claims more than 200 years of expertise in the confectionery business, offering chocolates, popcorn, caramels, mints and more. While the family's first U.S. shop landed in central Iowa, its origins were in the Netherlands, so expect to find some delicious Dutch candies.
Chocolaterie Stam, 2814 Ingersoll Ave.; 515-282-9575
The Picker Knows: Caddy corner to the historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines, The Picker Knows antique mall includes thousands of knick-knacks and collectibles. Head to The Picker on an icy weekend when you have a couple of hours to spend getting lost amid the quirky toys and antiques.
The Picker Knows, 1208 Grand Ave., West Des Moines; 515-255-3238
Art Terrarium: When everything outdoors is dead and dreary, the expert staff at Art Terrarium can help you pick out a green friend to nurture indoors throughout the winter. Staff will pot your purchased plants for free and hold classes to teach novices how to become seasoned plant parents.
Art Terrarium, 106 11th St.; 515-282-8325
Where to do some sightseeing in Des Moines
Picture this: Snow is falling softly on a quiet, sleepy Sunday morning in Des Moines. It's bright and it feels like you have the city to yourself.
If you want to see it in all its glory, there are a few spots you should check out:
Women of Achievement Bridge: The pedestrian bridge features two split pathways for walkers or joggers and bicyclists. The Women of Achievement Bridge crosses the Des Moines River and acknowledges the contributions of Iowa women. Cross the bridge at night after grabbing dinner or drinks; its lights make the water sparkle.
Women of Achievement Bridge, Principal River Walk, Des Moines
Iowa State Capitol: Sitting on the far east side of the city, the Capitol offers tours of the building that touches on history, architecture and extravagant artwork that adorns its interior. But the real star of the show is the westward view of Des Moines the Capitol grounds offers. Bonus points if you take a picture with the Lincoln and Tad sculpture.
Iowa State Capitol, 1007 E. Grand Ave.; 515-281-5591
The Traveler’s Insurance umbrella: An iconic fixture of Des Moines' skyline since it was first lit in 1963, the huge neon red umbrella radiates at the top of the 10-story Insurance Exchange Building where Travelers Insurance formerly held an office space. To appreciate its grandeur, head west on Grand Avenue from the Iowa State Capitol building in the East Village.
The Traveler's Insurance umbrella sign, 429 Grand Ave., Des Moines
What to do outdoors in Des Moines
When the snow comes to Des Moines, bundle up and head outside anyways. The great outdoors are calling your name and Iowa's metro has plenty to offer.
Sleepy Hollow Event Center: Can't ski or snowboard? Don't fret, Sleepy Hollow offers tubing and two different types of sledding to make every snow bunny happy.
Sleepy Hollow, 4051 Dean Ave., Des Moines; 515-262-4100
Big Creek State Park: For ice fishermen, snow-shoers and cold weather lovers alike, Big Creek offers recreation year round. When the ice on Big Creek Lake is deep enough you'll find fishermen drilling down to catch bluegill or crappies.
Big Creek State Park, 8794 NW 125th Ave., Polk City, iowadnr.gov
Isaac Hamlet covers arts, entertainment and culture at the Des Moines Register. Reach him at ihamlet@gannett.com or 319-600-2124, or follow him on Twitter @IsaacHamlet.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
Former Des Moines Register reporters Elle Wignall and Hannah Rodriguez contributed to this.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What to do in Des Moines? Restaurants, kid-friendly fun and more
