I’ve traveled the majority of my life and yet, I’ve never hated anything more than feeling like a tourist. Obviously, it’s inevitable—you can’t visit Washington DC without seeing the Mall or London without riding on the Eye or Cleveland without visiting the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. However, I think there’s something to be said for trying the local (or at least more unknown) places.
So, that’s my mission, to bring the local flavor of a city to your visit (which arguably should still include all the museums and sightseeing you want). This week, I’m focusing on Des Moines, Iowa!
1. East Village is the place to be! Grab a coffee at Mars Coffee Bar, then peruse shops such as Eden, Preservation, and Domestica. Finish off your afternoon at the Up/Down arcade, where these nostalgic games only cost a quarter!
2. Zombie Burger + Shake Lab is a favorite among locals, known for its wacky combinations of everything from buns to meats to toppings. Order a classic favorite, such as The Walking Ched, or make your own.
3. If old buildings are your game, Des Moines has several for you to see. Check out the Salisbury House and Gardens, built in the 1920s to mimic a 15th-century castle, which has a fantastic library, or tour Terrace Hill, home to Iowa’s governor and built in 1869. Terrace Hill has rotating art and history exhibits and is free to the public.
4. At Hessen Haus, try The Passing of the Boot drinking game with some friends! Basically, a glass boot is filled with draft beer, and all the rules of the game simply involve rewarding who can best drink from the boot. See their website for full list of game rules!
5. Wanna explore the outdoors? Wander through Des Moines’ living history farms or take Instagram-worthy pictures at the Pappajohn’s sculpture garden. There’s also the Better Homes & Gardens’ test gardens, Des Moines Botanic Gardens, and two lakes to fish, boat or waterski on — Lake Gray and Lake Saylorville.
6. Check out the 80/35 music festival! Named for the intersection of two highways in downtown Des Moines, the festival features two days of music spread across three stages. Last year’s line-up included The Shins, MGMT and the Maytags.
7. The Des Moines Farmer’s Market is one of the largest in the nation, with upwards of 20,000 people showing up in the warmer months. This Saturday market features live music, street performers, and food trucks as well as produce from almost every county in Iowa.
8. A Dong is a Vietnamese restaurant that all the locals swear by. Known for its bubble tea and innovative menu, this a low-key place where a small budget goes a long way! Looking for more interesting food in Des Moines? Fong’s Pizza is known for their wild combos, including a crab rangoon pizza, while Tacopocolypse combines Mexican, Korean and Vietnamese food to form its menu.
9. Every four years or so, Iowa becomes a place of political hubbub. If you’re trying to spot a politician, try local favorites such as hole-in-the-wall Tasty Tacos, founded in 1961, or Centro, an upscale urban pizza eatery.
10. Exile Brewing Company is known for its great beers, but it also features great live music! Known for its motto, “We Fear No Beer,” there are three different types of restaurants (depending on your level of price and casualness), locals musicians and every beer’s label is hand-designed by a Des Moines artist.
11. If you’re looking for popular late night spots, try Noce, a downtown jazz bar, or the Des Moines Social Club, a converted firehouse where something hip—everything from live music to slam poetry—is always happening!
12. The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (or RAGBRAI to locals) is an Iowa-wide event. It involves a different bike route every year, partying all night long in each town the bikers stop in, and on the final day, dipping the bike wheels into the Mississippi River.
If you love your hometown or have a city you’re particularly familiar with and want to show tourists what the locals love, please contact me at hewittr@kenyon.edu and I’ll happily sit down with you to work out an article that showcases your love for your city.
Image Credit: Feature, 1, 2, 3