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COVID-19 Advice: If you do plan on traveling, please be smart and responsible for yourself and others.  Practice social distancing and wear a mask when deemed necessary.  Be respectful of other's well being and stay safe.

Des Moines, IA

Updated: April 24th, 2021

Below is a list of the best places I would visit on a trip to this location. My picks fit my personality and interest. Everyone has a different interest so you may not like everything I listed which is fine.  If you like a place, I recommend saving it to Google Maps for a future trip down the road. I made sure to include the address or GPS to make it easier to find.  You can find out more about me in the "About Me" section to see if we share common interests.

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​​In the info below, the yellow cost number is just an estimated amount at the time I checked their website; over time, the amount could change.  With the cost of a hotel room, I'm pricing a queen bed for two people for a night on the weekend, and the amount shown is before taxes.  These figures are just a rough estimate of what places could cost, so if incorrect, I apologize.

Breakfast

- Mahalo's Coffee

4800 Mills Civic Pkwy #105, West Des Moines, IA 50265

- ChuChu Donuts

580 SW 9th St #116, Des Moines, IA 50309

- Eggs and Jam

1907 EP True Pkwy #102, West Des Moines, IA 50265

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Activities

- Iowa State Capitol

1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319

- Adventureland Park

3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009

Single Day Regular Admission: $50.00

- Science Center of Iowa

401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50309

Adult Admission: $11.00

- Blank Park Zoo

7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315

Adult General Admission: $14.00

- Pappajohn Sculpture Park

1330 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

- Iowa Gold Star Military Museum

6107 NW 78th Ave, Johnston, IA 50131

Admission: Free

- Wells Fargo Museum

800 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309

- High Trestle Trail

41.73257, -93.60992

Biking

- Des Moines Art Center

4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312

Admission: Free

- West End Architectural Salvage

22 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

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Lunch/Dinner

- Zombie Burger + Drink Lab

300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

- Dough Co. Pizza

2330 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311

- Fong's Pizza

223 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

- Jethro's BBQ

3100 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311

- B&B Grocery, Meat & Deli

2001 SE 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50315

- Manhattan Deli

3705 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312

- Central Standard

1222 SE University Ave, Waukee, IA 50263

- Granny's Sweet Freeze

3417 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317

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Places to Stay

- Hilton Des Moines Downtown

435 Park St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Average cost a night on a weekend in May $159 (Oct 20': $156)

- AC Hotel Des Moines East Village

401 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Average cost a night on a weekend in May $176 (Oct 20': $149)

- Des Lux Hotel

800 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Average cost a night on a weekend in May: $189

- Hotel Renovo

11167 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322

Average cost a night on a weekend in May $139 (Oct 20': $129)

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21 and Up Fun

- Confluence Brewing Company

1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315

- 515 Brewing Company

7700 University Ave suite C, Clive, IA 50325

- Brightside Aleworks

480 Center Pl, Altoona, IA 50009

- El Bait Shop

200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309

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Out of Bounds

- National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum

1 Sprint Capital Place, Knoxville, IA 50138

38 miles from Des Moines, IA

- John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum

500 Westfield Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701

127 miles from Des Moines, IA

 Again these are my picks that fit my personality and interest. If you feel that I left one-off that may interest me or other people, message me on Facebook about the location.  I value a person's opinion and never just discard the information.  Always looking forward to learning about new places to add to my Google Map. ~ Shawn

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