Christie’s guidebook

Christie
Christie’s guidebook

Food scene

This is a local bar with decent bar food. Fun drink specials and an atmosphere that throws back to the 80s. Locally owned.
6 locals recommend
The Dam Pub
2710 Beaver Ave
6 locals recommend
This is a local bar with decent bar food. Fun drink specials and an atmosphere that throws back to the 80s. Locally owned.
Steakhouse that is close to the house. Reasonably priced and locally owned. Nice salad bar. Good Covid Cautions in place.
Chicago Speakeasy
1520 Euclid Ave
Steakhouse that is close to the house. Reasonably priced and locally owned. Nice salad bar. Good Covid Cautions in place.
Supper club style restaurant. Kind staff, fun food, small environment. Located in Valley Junction--a historic part of West Des Moines. Close to lots of local shopping.
Cooper's on 5th
227 5th St
Supper club style restaurant. Kind staff, fun food, small environment. Located in Valley Junction--a historic part of West Des Moines. Close to lots of local shopping.
My favourite restaurant. Lebanese food served in a very unique environment. Downtown, on the edge of the east village. In close proximity to local shopping.
6 locals recommend
Open Sesame
313 E Locust St
6 locals recommend
My favourite restaurant. Lebanese food served in a very unique environment. Downtown, on the edge of the east village. In close proximity to local shopping.
Local pub that only takes cash. Simple options, quiet, and mellow. popcorn available (may be affected by the pandemic). One of my favourite places to avoid large crowds and have easy conversation.
Cooney's Tavern Beaverdale
3708 Beaver Ave
Local pub that only takes cash. Simple options, quiet, and mellow. popcorn available (may be affected by the pandemic). One of my favourite places to avoid large crowds and have easy conversation.
This location has several types of Asian Food options. High-end Chinese food and reliable sushi. Within 5 minutes of the house.
Wasabi Chi
5418 Douglas Ave
This location has several types of Asian Food options. High-end Chinese food and reliable sushi. Within 5 minutes of the house.
New coffee shop that provides fun coffee options and locally roasted coffee. Pastry options available.
The Slow Down Coffee Co.
3613 6th Ave
New coffee shop that provides fun coffee options and locally roasted coffee. Pastry options available.
Most beer on tap at any location within the Metro.
25 locals recommend
El Bait Shop
200 SW 2nd St
25 locals recommend
Most beer on tap at any location within the Metro.
Many local beer options on tap for the beer lover!
23 locals recommend
The Iowa Taproom
215 E 3rd St
23 locals recommend
Many local beer options on tap for the beer lover!
Simon's
5800 Franklin Ave
8 locals recommend
Lucky Lotus
2721 Ingersoll Ave
8 locals recommend

Neighborhoods

Here is a link to the Beaverdale neighborhood website. https://www.beaverdale.org/
7 locals recommend
Beaverdale
7 locals recommend
Here is a link to the Beaverdale neighborhood website. https://www.beaverdale.org/
Lot of unique shops and restaurants, very walkable, Farmer's market Thursdays, 4-8 pm. Please check the website for seasonal schedule. valleyjunction.com
46 locals recommend
Valley Junction
46 locals recommend
Lot of unique shops and restaurants, very walkable, Farmer's market Thursdays, 4-8 pm. Please check the website for seasonal schedule. valleyjunction.com

Sightseeing

This attraction has several time-period-specific working farms. It's educational, family-friendly, and a great way to learn about Iowa!
20 locals recommend
Living History Farms
11121 Hickman Rd
20 locals recommend
This attraction has several time-period-specific working farms. It's educational, family-friendly, and a great way to learn about Iowa!
Shopping and dining area near the capital in Downtown Des Moines. There are lots of options for unique places to check out and is very walkable.
64 locals recommend
East Village
64 locals recommend
Shopping and dining area near the capital in Downtown Des Moines. There are lots of options for unique places to check out and is very walkable.
Tons of vendors, great food, people watching, and a good reason to start exploring downtown Des Moines. Saturdays from 7 am-noon, May 1st-Oct 30th.
41 locals recommend
Des Moines' Downtown Farmers’ Market
300 Court Ave
41 locals recommend
Tons of vendors, great food, people watching, and a good reason to start exploring downtown Des Moines. Saturdays from 7 am-noon, May 1st-Oct 30th.
The capital building is beautiful and typically offers free tours. Please verify whether the pandemic would affect that offering before going.
56 locals recommend
Iowa State Capitol
1007 E Grand Ave
56 locals recommend
The capital building is beautiful and typically offers free tours. Please verify whether the pandemic would affect that offering before going.
A 2 mile loop around the lake is a nice walk; trails connect further if desired. Plenty of places to eat a picnic and kayaks/paddleboards to rent during the summer months.
26 locals recommend
Grays Lake
26 locals recommend
A 2 mile loop around the lake is a nice walk; trails connect further if desired. Plenty of places to eat a picnic and kayaks/paddleboards to rent during the summer months.
Beautiful dome with a variety of plants to learn about and some exterior gardens to explore. Frequent wedding venue. Delicious clean eating restaurant onsite.
53 locals recommend
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Dr
53 locals recommend
Beautiful dome with a variety of plants to learn about and some exterior gardens to explore. Frequent wedding venue. Delicious clean eating restaurant onsite.
Local T-shirt and souvenir/art shop in Des Moines. Clever sayings; the T-shirts are super soft.
20 locals recommend
RAYGUN
505 E Grand Ave
20 locals recommend
Local T-shirt and souvenir/art shop in Des Moines. Clever sayings; the T-shirts are super soft.
Concert venue and outdoor ice skating rink.
19 locals recommend
Brenton Skating Plaza
520 Robert D. Ray Dr
19 locals recommend
Concert venue and outdoor ice skating rink.