Des Moines area
Around Des Moines area
Photo: BarbaraLN · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Iowa · 939k people
Des Moines area
Locals say Greater Des Moines · “DSM”, “The Heart of Iowa”, “Silicon Prairie”
Where the heartland meets the fair
Cubs BlueCubs RedWild Gold
Welcome to Greater Des Moines! Whether you're here for the fair, the trails, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly community and plenty to do. Grab a tenderloin and enjoy the ride.
Clubs for Des Moines area
No clubs for Des Moines area yet.
The room
Des Moines area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Des Moines's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Des Moines. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Des Moines area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Principal Park Home of the Iowa Cubs baseball team
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park Outdoor sculpture garden in Western Gateway Park
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Indoor and outdoor gardens with a tropical conservatory
- High Trestle Trail Scenic bike trail with a dramatic bridge over the Des Moines River
- Downtown Farmers Market Weekly market with local produce, crafts, and food
- Gray's Lake Park Popular lake with a pedestrian bridge and walking trails
- Outdoors Bike the High Trestle Trail
- Outdoors Paddle the Des Moines River
- With kids Visit the Blank Park Zoo
- With kids Explore the Science Center of Iowa
- Evenings Catch a show at Wooly's
- Evenings Bar hop on Court Avenue
- Locals love Farmers markets
- Locals love Craft breweries
Through the year
- Drake Relays April Historic track and field meet at Drake Stadium
- 80/35 Music Festival July Two-day indie and rock festival in Western Gateway Park
- Iowa State Fair August Iconic state fair with food, livestock, and concerts
- World Food & Music Festival September Global cuisine and live music in the East Village
- Des Moines Arts Festival June Juried art show and live entertainment in Western Gateway Park
Des Moines has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable for being outside, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “DSM”
- Abbreviation for Des Moines
- “The Fair”
- The Iowa State Fair
- “The Skywalk”
- The downtown skywalk system
- “Tenderloin”
- The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich
Getaways
- Ames Visit Iowa State University, Reiman Gardens, and downtown shops
- Pella Explore Dutch architecture, the Vermeer Windmill, and the Tulip Festival
- Marshalltown Check out the historic downtown and the Marshall County Courthouse
- Oskaloosa See the Nelson Pioneer Farm and the Oskaloosa City Square
Local flavour
Teams
- Iowa Cubs MiLB (AAA)
- Iowa Wild AHL
- Iowa Wolves NBA G League
- Iowa Barnstormers IFL
- Des Moines Buccaneers USHL
- Drake Bulldogs NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Breaded pork tenderloin sandwich Iowa's iconic sandwich, often served with pickles and onion
- Loose meat sandwich Maid-Rite style, seasoned crumbled beef on a bun
- Corn dogs A staple of the Iowa State Fair, deep-fried on a stick
- Sweet corn Fresh Iowa sweet corn, a summer tradition
- Casey's breakfast pizza Local gas-station chain known for its taco and breakfast pizzas
Where people go
- Iowa State Fairgrounds Home of the legendary state fair, with its butter cow and giant slide.
- Des Moines Riverfront The river winding through downtown, with trails and parks.
- East Village Historic district with boutiques, galleries, and nightlife.
- Downtown Farmers Market A vibrant Saturday market with local produce and crafts.
- High Trestle Trail Scenic bike trail with a dramatic bridge over the river.
- Cornfields The endless rows of corn that define the Iowa landscape.
Heritage and traditions
Greater Des Moines is proud of its Midwestern friendliness, its deep agricultural roots, and a growing cultural scene that blends state fair traditions with modern arts and food.
This time of year in Des Moines area
- Apple picking and pumpkin patches Fall Local orchards offer fall activities.
Say it like a local: “Ope” — An exclamation of surprise or when bumping into someone.
Festivals
- Des Moines Greek Food Festival June Celebrates Greek culture with authentic food and dancing at the Greek Orthodox Church.
- Latino Heritage Festival September Showcases Latin American music, dance, and cuisine at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
- Iowa Irish Fest August Features Irish music, dance, and heritage at Water Works Park.
Landmarks with a story
- Terrace Hill The official residence of Iowa's governor, built in 1869.
- Salisbury House A 1920s Tudor-style mansion with art and antiques.
- Living History Farms A working farm museum in Urbandale that shows Iowa's agricultural history.
- Historic Valley Junction A charming commercial district in West Des Moines with shops and restaurants.
- St. Ambrose Cathedral A historic Catholic cathedral in downtown Des Moines.
- Fort Des Moines Museum Commemorates the first African-American officer training camp in WWI.
Food traditions
- Sweet corn roasts Community gatherings in summer where fresh Iowa sweet corn is boiled and slathered with butter.
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet that's pounded thin and served on a bun with pickles and onion.
- Loose meat sandwich A seasoned ground beef sandwich, popularized by Maid Rite, a local chain.
- Casey's breakfast pizza A convenience store pizza with a cult following, often served at morning meetings.
- Farm-to-table dining Many restaurants source ingredients from local farms, reflecting Iowa's agricultural heritage.
Music and arts
- Slipknot The heavy metal band formed in Des Moines, putting the city on the music map.
- Des Moines Symphony Performs classical music at the Civic Center.
- Des Moines Art Center A modern art museum with works by famous artists.
- Des Moines Playhouse A community theater with a long history.
A little history
- 1843 Fort Des Moines established
- 1857 Des Moines becomes the capital of Iowa
- 1900s Insurance industry booms, earning Des Moines the nickname 'Hartford of the West'
- 1911 First butter cow sculpted at the Iowa State Fair
- 1970s Urban renewal reshapes downtown, leading to modern development
Rivalries
- Iowa vs Iowa State Cy-Hawk series in football and basketball
- Iowa vs Northern Iowa In-state football rivalry
- Iowa Cubs vs Omaha Storm Chasers Minor league baseball rivalry in the same division
- Game day Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament
- Game day Drake Relays
- Outdoors Fishing at Big Creek Lake
- Outdoors Golfing at a local course
- With kids Living History Farms
- With kids Iowa State Historical Building
Iowans speak a friendly Midwestern English, with a few distinctive phrases. They say 'pop' for soda, use 'you bet' as an affirmation, and often add 'ope' when bumping into someone.
Only here
- The Iowa State Fair's butter cow has been sculpted every year since 1911.
- Des Moines is home to more insurance companies than any other city except Hartford.
- The High Trestle Trail bridge glows blue at night, a unique sight.
- The Iowa Caucuses are the first major electoral event in the US presidential primaries.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for extreme weather: hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
- Learn to say 'pop' for soda, and don't be surprised by friendly small talk.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich and a loose meat sandwich at a local diner.
- The Iowa State Fair in August is a must-visit, but it's crowded.
- Traffic is manageable, but avoid I-235 during rush hour.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Areas in Des Moines area
Nearby
Every areaOttumwaIowaWhere the river bends and the corn grows tallGrinnellIowaRolling fields, open skies, and neighborly hearts.Webster CityIowaWhere the cornfields meet the horizon.MarshalltownIowaWhere the heart of Iowa beats with small-town warmth.Iowa FallsIowaWhere the Iowa River runs through the heartlandSac CityIowaWhere the corn meets the lakeCentervilleIowaWhere the fields roll and the welcome is warmFairfieldIowaWhere golden domes meet endless cornfields.
Des Moines-West Des Moines-Ames, IA CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.