DSM Traveler Guidebook
Food
Super unique burger joint with a zombie theme like no other! We love their specialty burgers & dessert shakes. This is definitely a spot to check off your list during your stay!
44 locals recommend
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
300 E Grand AveSuper unique burger joint with a zombie theme like no other! We love their specialty burgers & dessert shakes. This is definitely a spot to check off your list during your stay!
Fuzzy's Taco Shop is delish! Carryout is never the same as getting it there, but still a great spot to hit up!
6 locals recommend
Fuzzy's Taco Shop
300 W Martin Luther King Jr PkwyFuzzy's Taco Shop is delish! Carryout is never the same as getting it there, but still a great spot to hit up!
Extremely close donut joint for your morning breakfast run for the group. Awesome classics!
ChuChu Donuts
580 SW 9th StExtremely close donut joint for your morning breakfast run for the group. Awesome classics!
Perfect brunch spot! On weekend mornings definitely expect a wait during busy times or call ahead.
16 locals recommend
Mullets
1253 1300 SE 1st StPerfect brunch spot! On weekend mornings definitely expect a wait during busy times or call ahead.
As seen on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, the greatest BBQ and sides in DSM! We love BBQ so this is a bold statement. Be sure to try all the sauces & get the potato casserole. You won't regret this stop!
6 locals recommend
Smokey Ds BBQ
601 Locust StAs seen on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, the greatest BBQ and sides in DSM! We love BBQ so this is a bold statement. Be sure to try all the sauces & get the potato casserole. You won't regret this stop!
Get the drunken noodles & "crab rangoonies"! You won't regret it! This is our favorite spot in greater DSM. Incredible Thai food.
8 locals recommend
Lucky Lotus
2721 Ingersoll AveGet the drunken noodles & "crab rangoonies"! You won't regret it! This is our favorite spot in greater DSM. Incredible Thai food.
Our favorite place to grab a burger! Their daily specials are incredible & so fun, be sure to check them out on insta.
Lachele's Fine Foods
Our favorite place to grab a burger! Their daily specials are incredible & so fun, be sure to check them out on insta.
Drinks
Great micro-brewery super close to our townhome. Cool patio and ambiance.
29 locals recommend
Exile Brewing Company
1514 Walnut StGreat micro-brewery super close to our townhome. Cool patio and ambiance.
This is our favorite micro-brewery in DSM! They have awesome beers of their own and some other great local options for those that don't love the classics. Great patio and right between our townhome and Gray's Lake. Only 4 min from our place!
25 locals recommend
Confluence Brewing Company
1235 Thomas Beck RdThis is our favorite micro-brewery in DSM! They have awesome beers of their own and some other great local options for those that don't love the classics. Great patio and right between our townhome and Gray's Lake. Only 4 min from our place!
Super fun bar that has cornhole, darts & pickleball. They have leagues & daily rentals.
23 locals recommend
SMASH PARK
6625 Coachlight DrSuper fun bar that has cornhole, darts & pickleball. They have leagues & daily rentals.
Local winery spot extremely close to Gray's Lake and our townhome. Cool ambiance.
15 locals recommend
Jasper Winery
2400 George Flagg PkwyLocal winery spot extremely close to Gray's Lake and our townhome. Cool ambiance.
Great restaurant & bar! They have an incredible tap system of local Iowa craft beers & awesome bar food. Lots of parking, which is rare for a downtown vibe!
25 locals recommend
El Bait Shop
200 SW 2nd StGreat restaurant & bar! They have an incredible tap system of local Iowa craft beers & awesome bar food. Lots of parking, which is rare for a downtown vibe!
Lua Brewing
One our fav brewery spots!
Big Grove Brewery & Taproom
Great place for some brews & good food! Awesome patio experience!
Shopping
Hinge is such an adorable boutique in Historic Valley Junction! Love their clothing & gifts. Great spot to hit with girlfriends.
Hinge
317 5th StreetHinge is such an adorable boutique in Historic Valley Junction! Love their clothing & gifts. Great spot to hit with girlfriends.
Bozz Prints is one of our favorite spots to get local apparel & gifts. A lot of our Iowa/DSM themed decor in our place is actually from Bozz Prints! Another great stop in the Historic Valley Junction area.
Bozz Prints
215 5th StreetBozz Prints is one of our favorite spots to get local apparel & gifts. A lot of our Iowa/DSM themed decor in our place is actually from Bozz Prints! Another great stop in the Historic Valley Junction area.
Jordan Creek Park
Jordan Creek in West Des Moines has literally every store you could ever need!
Sightseeing
Grays Lake is an awesome park where you can spend time on the water in the summer. They have an awesome walking/running/biking trail that goes around the lake with an awesome little bridge. Great views of downtown & SO close to our townhome! only about 1mi away!
Grays Lake
Grays LakeGrays Lake is an awesome park where you can spend time on the water in the summer. They have an awesome walking/running/biking trail that goes around the lake with an awesome little bridge. Great views of downtown & SO close to our townhome! only about 1mi away!
Great fun for families and groups. Super close and just a few miles south of our townhome of SW 9th.
47 locals recommend
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th StGreat fun for families and groups. Super close and just a few miles south of our townhome of SW 9th.
One of the best skateparks in the country right in the middle of DSM! Cool spot right on the river.
11 locals recommend
The Lauridsen Skatepark
901 2nd AvenueOne of the best skateparks in the country right in the middle of DSM! Cool spot right on the river.
Our townhome is under 15 min from the Iowa State Fairgrounds. This is one of the biggest state fairs in the country and brings people from all over. From rides, to food trucks, to business expo showcases, to concerts, there is something for everyone at the fair! The fair is typically in the middle of August every year.
27 locals recommend
Iowa State Fairgrounds
3000 E Grand AveOur townhome is under 15 min from the Iowa State Fairgrounds. This is one of the biggest state fairs in the country and brings people from all over. From rides, to food trucks, to business expo showcases, to concerts, there is something for everyone at the fair! The fair is typically in the middle of August every year.
This gorgeous park has a great 4 mile paved trail all the way around! Love our walks/runs here.
Easter Lake Park
This gorgeous park has a great 4 mile paved trail all the way around! Love our walks/runs here.
This park in West Des Moines is great! This is our favorite place to hike a wooded, slightly hilly trail in greater DSM. The outer loop is exactly a 5k. The perfect distance!
6 locals recommend
Brown's Woods
465 Brown's Woods DriveThis park in West Des Moines is great! This is our favorite place to hike a wooded, slightly hilly trail in greater DSM. The outer loop is exactly a 5k. The perfect distance!
Fun & artsy experience right in the heart of downtown DSM.
78 locals recommend
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand AveFun & artsy experience right in the heart of downtown DSM.
This park in the Valley Junction area has a great 3 mi+ partially paved & partially fine rock path. Lots of parking & a super cool playground, too!
16 locals recommend
Raccoon River Park
2500 Grand AveThis park in the Valley Junction area has a great 3 mi+ partially paved & partially fine rock path. Lots of parking & a super cool playground, too!
So much fun for the whole family! This amusement park isn't far from DSM.
46 locals recommend
Adventureland Park
305 Adventureland DrSo much fun for the whole family! This amusement park isn't far from DSM.
City/town information
Birthplace of John Wayne & located in Madison County. Cute little small town vibe and a John Wayne museum that people come from near and far to see. The local donut shop in the square is amazing and you can grab a great lunch at the diner in the back of Montross Pharmacy. You'll find a rock road a nature trails that lead you up from the city park to a historic site, Clark's Tower, with incredible rural views of the hills. Be sure to check out the Madison County bridges.
7 locals recommend
Winterset
Birthplace of John Wayne & located in Madison County. Cute little small town vibe and a John Wayne museum that people come from near and far to see. The local donut shop in the square is amazing and you can grab a great lunch at the diner in the back of Montross Pharmacy. You'll find a rock road a nature trails that lead you up from the city park to a historic site, Clark's Tower, with incredible rural views of the hills. Be sure to check out the Madison County bridges.