Des Moines, who knew? We did.
Did you know
THEY CALL DRAKE UNIVERSITY DES MOINES’ HOMETOWN TEAM? Now is a great time to make the road trip to see Des Moines and Drake’s campus. There are many neighborhoods to discover, restaurants to try, museums to tour, shops to check out, and a beautiful University to explore. We’ve outlined some of our favorite places to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Interested in seeing even more Des Moines has to offer? Visit catchdesmoines.com for a free visitor’s guide. While you’re in town, be sure to set up a campus visit. You can see all of your options when you go to drake.edu/visit. You may even run into Griff II while you’re out and about!
THE AVENUES
Approximately 1 mile south of campus (5-minute drive)
The Avenues is an up-and-coming neighborhood named for Ingersoll & Grand Avenues—the two parallel streets that run through this district. Look for local entertainment and restaurant venues dotting this area which all boast a unique vibe. ZANZIBAR COFFEE SHOP One of
the oldest coffee shops in Des Moines is Zanzibar—a local art-filled shop with in-house roasting and a super cozy atmosphere.
GATEWAY MARKET & CAFE AND PALMER’S DELI Both of these options are perfect for a quick bite and offer a variety of light options.
DES MOINES ART CENTER
This art museum is home to an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, modern, and mixed media and is free to tour. You can find it on Grand Avenue.
EATERY A MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE & SAKARI SUSHI LOUNGE Both of these restaurants are great for sitdown meals. Students love taking advantage of Eatery A’s happy hour dinner specials and rave about Sakari’s delicious options. Their dynamite shrimp appetizer is a must.
TANDEM BRICK & ZZZ RECORDS A couple of our favorite shops on Ingersoll. Tandem Brick is great for fun, unique gifts and ZZZ is a perfect place to score some new or used vinyl.
ZOMBIE BURGER
If you’re in the mood for a meal that’s to die for, Zombie Burger is the perfect spot. Enjoy handcrafted burgers, shakes, and drinks, all in a “post-apocalyptic chic” setting.
EAST VILLAGE 3.5 miles from campus (7-minute drive)
Always bursting with personality, the East Village is one of Des Moines’ most vibrant districts. Take a walk through this unique neighborhood to discover eclectic boutiques, look at murals, and get a great view of the iconic golden dome of the Iowa State Capitol. MOLLY’S CUPCAKES Whether
you’re a vanilla cupcake purist or want to test new flavors like peanut butter Nutella, you can satisfy your sweet tooth with these freshly baked cupcakes.
SCENIC ROUTE BAKERY Take time to slow down and enjoy the simple things at Scenic Route Bakery. Be sure to try one of their many coffees or pastries.
IOWA STATE CAPITOL You can’t
miss that iconic golden dome. Enjoy a free tour of the historic Iowa State Capitol building. If you’re up for a challenge, take the stairs up to the top of the dome for a great view of the city.
RAYGUN, PETALS + MOSS, AND THE SHOPS OF EAST VILLAGE
There are dozens of quaint shops to explore in the East Village. A newcomer, but instant favorite is Petals + Moss, a plant store popular with students looking to add some green to their residence hall. Raygun calls itself “The Greatest Store in the Universe,” so you know it’s a must visit if you love quirky, humorous, and fun merchandise.
WESTERN SUBURBS
Approximately 8 miles away from campus (15-minute drive)
While many families in the Des Moines metro choose to call the western suburbs home, it’s also the perfect place for a get-away to shop, explore, and of course, eat.
SMASH PARK If you want to channel
CHEESECAKE FACTORY AND FIVE GUYS You will find numerous tasty
JORDAN CREEK TOWN CENTER AND SHOPPING MALL
those backyard summer vibes year-round, Smash Park is the place for you. Play pickleball on their indoor courts or check out other games like giant Jenga and Connect 4. Need some extra fuel? Check out their variety of classic appetizers.
chain restaurants to enjoy in West Des Moines— all with the dishes you know and love, and options for any dining occasion.
HURTS DONUTS These are not your mother’s donuts. Choose between classic flavors or try a local favorite such as the Homer or the Maple Bacon Bar.
Whatever you need, the Jordan Creek Town Center and Shopping Mall has it. This shopping hub includes beloved stores like American Eagle, the Apple Store, H&M, Lush, Nike, Sephora, and more. They also have a large food court, perfect for grabbing a quick bite. Nearby, stores like Costco, Super Target, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods provide plenty of places to stock up on groceries.
DISCOVER YOUR FAVORITE DES MOINES NEIGHBORHOOD DRAKE’S DOGTOWN DRAKE DINER Named after everyone’s
Explore Des Moines, no car necessary. Just walk on over to Drake’s historic Dogtown to enjoy local eats.
favorite University, this charming, ‘50s-styled diner is an instant classic for anyone in the neighborhood. Treat yourself to a stack of pancakes at brunch or stop by for a burger and handcrafted milkshake after a long day.
FERNANDO’S Get a taste of authentic
Mexican cuisine with local charm. At an affordable price, Fernando’s is known for having the best burrito in Iowa and is perfect for a quick bite if you’re in a hurry. Don’t skip out on their fresh guacamole!
JETHRO’S BBQ World-renowned BBQ is just a short walk away from campus and great for a sit-down meal. If you happen to be there on a Thursday, don’t miss the half-off boneless wings.
MARS CAFÉ & SMOKEY ROW
At these coffee shops you’ll find delicious drinks and the perfect study spot when you need a change of scenery from the library. At Mars Café you will find unique drinks and a cozy, quiet environment. Smokey Row is a little farther from campus, but is housed in a larger space and serves equally tasty drinks. It’s a little louder than Mars, but you will still find it packed with Drake students when school is in session.
DRAKE UNIVERSITY It wouldn’t
be a visit to Des Moines without a walk around campus! Grab a coffee at our full-service Starbucks and take an independent tour of campus by visiting drake.edu/selfguidedtour. There you will see a mobile-friendly route with detailed information for all of the mustsee spots on campus.
DOWNTOWN
About three miles (8-minute drive)
The city would not be complete without a vibrant downtown. As the fastest growing metro in the Midwest, with a population of approximately 700,000, downtown Des Moines features smaller, up-and-coming neighborhoods such as Court Avenue and Western Gateway. With one of the largest farmer’s markets in the country, and world-class art and music festivals during the summer, downtown Des Moines is truly the place to be.
FONG’S Crab Rangoon Pizza –
need we say more? This nationally recognized restaurant features Asian fusion style pizza. Buy it by the slice or feast on a whole pie with your family and friends.
SCULPTURE PARK
Talk a walk or have a picnic at the iconic Pappajohn Sculpture Park. While you’re there, make sure to take photos – fan favorite pieces include the Nomade and the LOVE sculpture.
GRAY’S LAKE If the buzz of the city
isn’t your style, Gray’s Lake is the perfect destination. Lay out a picnic blanket, take a walk around the lake, or even rent a paddleboat for a relaxing outing.
LAURIDSEN SKATE PARK Along the
river downtown, the Lauridsen Skatepark opens May 22 and is one of the largest open parks in the nation. Check out the amoeba pool, the snake run, and a skateable art piece that will truly wow even skating veterans.
JAVA JOE’S More than just a coffee
shop, Java Joe’s is a staple in the Des Moines community. View local art, catch a poetry slam, or, if you’re lucky, meet visiting political figures from around the country.
ST. KILDA Serving up modern favorites
like avocado toast, grain bowls, and artisanal coffee drinks, St. Kilda is the trendiest brunch spot around. Just make sure to snap a pic of your latte art before you take a sip!
80/35 MUSIC FESTIVAL
Office of Admission 2507 University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50311-4505
Mailing Name 1 Mailing Name 2 Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City, State Zip
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DES MOINES
WAS VOTED ONE OF THE TOP TEN BEST PLACES TO LIVE. VISIT AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHY IT’S ONE OF THE MIDWEST’S BEST KEPT SECRETS.
(U.S. News and World Report, 2020)
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NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID DES MOINES, IA PERMIT NO. 2217