Your Favorite Places! (Des Moines, Clive, Windsor Heights: neighborhoods, university, live)

[Setchel]

I am still pretty new to Des Moines, but would love some feedback on great places in Des Moines. Food. Activities. Places to see. Events that come up (state fair I hear is one).
What should someone that's new to Des Moines, and Iowa in general, know to really appreciate what DM is all about?

[Meemur]

Zombie burgers! Take a friend and order the cheese curds, too. It's too fattening to eat there all the time, but it's a great treat for me once in awhile.

Be-Bops has old fashioned "greasy" burgers. Love 'em! Again, not something I can eat all the time.

Maid Rite burgers . . . I don't like them, but some people think they're wonderful. They are worth trying once.

Iowa beef is to die for! I had quit eating most restaurant burgers until I moved out here.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Setchel

I am still pretty new to Des Moines, but would love some feedback on great places in Des Moines. Food. Activities. Places to see. Events that come up (state fair I hear is one).
What should someone that's new to Des Moines, and Iowa in general, know to really appreciate what DM is all about?

A Dong Vietnamese Restaurant. I would always take out of town guests there. Best eggrolls EVER.

[heymissmiles]

COFFEE: Okay first off best coffee in Des Moines is Mars Cafe!!! (If you like sweet coffee get the Sputnik) They have a location next to Drake University and a location attached to Raygun (Cool t-shirt/print store) downtown. You should also check out Ritual Cafe downtown. PRO TIP- everyone says go to Smokey Row- its a cool looking place and fun to hang out but the coffee sucks.

FOOD: Best burger in my opinion is at Exile Brewery (also have amazing local beer!), best Pho is at Pho All Seasons, best soul food is at Bubba which is really new, best Mexican food is at Nacho Taquillas in Windsor Heights (or maybe Clive). If you LOVE beer go to El Bait Shop- super laid back and the basically the coolest place ever.

THINGS TO SEE: Idk if you like historic neighborhoods/buildings but Beaverdale, Old Windsor Heights, Waveland and Sherman Hill are my favorite historic neighborhoods. I also highly recommend checking out the Des Moines capitol building. Its gorgeous outside and even cooler inside! And go on a tour at the Salisbury House!

THINGS TO DO: -The Historical Building has free admission and has an Iowa exhibit right now! Its a really nice museum. The Botanical Center has a pretty cheap admission price and its gorgeous (especially in the winter when you want to get rid of the snow blues). All the festivals are great in DM (Art Fest, beer fest, 80/35, etc.). If you have dogs Water Works Park is an amazing place to bring them. Huge, gorgeous, lots of ponds and water for them to swim in..also it says they have to be on a leash but I always let mine off and I've never gotten in trouble!

Those are my favs! If you need anymore recommendations let me know and I'd be happy to comply!!

[capitalcityguy]

Things to do: Downtown Farmer's Market (May - Oct), Downtown Arts Festival; Iowa State Fair, Salisbury House, bike trails, visit local breweries/tap rooms; Des Moines Civic Center.

Restaurants: best variety of local eats are downtown. Some favs: Malo, Centro, Django, Zombie, Court Ave Brewery, Iowa Tap Room, The Royal Mile, Guru BBQ, Olympic Flame, ROCA, 801 Steak & Chop (warning: $$$) Fong's Pizza

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by heymissmiles

COFFEE: Okay first off best coffee in Des Moines is Mars Cafe!!! (If you like sweet coffee get the Sputnik) They have a location next to Drake University and a location attached to Raygun (Cool t-shirt/print store) downtown. You should also check out Ritual Cafe downtown. PRO TIP- everyone says go to Smokey Row- its a cool looking place and fun to hang out but the coffee sucks.

FOOD: Best burger in my opinion is at Exile Brewery (also have amazing local beer!), best Pho is at Pho All Seasons, best soul food is at Bubba which is really new, best Mexican food is at Nacho Taquillas in Windsor Heights (or maybe Clive). If you LOVE beer go to El Bait Shop- super laid back and the basically the coolest place ever.

THINGS TO SEE: Idk if you like historic neighborhoods/buildings but Beaverdale, Old Windsor Heights, Waveland and Sherman Hill are my favorite historic neighborhoods. I also highly recommend checking out the Des Moines capitol building. Its gorgeous outside and even cooler inside! And go on a tour at the Salisbury House!

THINGS TO DO: -The Historical Building has free admission and has an Iowa exhibit right now! Its a really nice museum. The Botanical Center has a pretty cheap admission price and its gorgeous (especially in the winter when you want to get rid of the snow blues). All the festivals are great in DM (Art Fest, beer fest, 80/35, etc.). If you have dogs Water Works Park is an amazing place to bring them. Huge, gorgeous, lots of ponds and water for them to swim in..also it says they have to be on a leash but I always let mine off and I've never gotten in trouble!

Those are my favs! If you need anymore recommendations let me know and I'd be happy to comply!!

I'd add to that a tour of the Governor's Mansion. I lived in Des Moines 12 years and it wasn't until my last year there that I finally took that tour. It's a beautiful place and our guide obviously loved his job. He had lots of great stories about the place.