Travelers
DSM Downtown Farmers' Market is open every Sat. 7am-noon. It is ranked #2 in the US (behind Seattle).
The following information is for classmate and guest travelers who may not have come "home" or been in the metro area for some time. Locals may appreciate some of our research as well. Here you will find several useful phone numbers, a short list of hotels/accomodations by region, various activities worth checking out on a weekend in DSM and other available events which will continue to be added as we get closer to September.
Finding great restaurants has never been easier in Des Moines. Those of us who live in the metro area have our favorites and there are dozens of options for all types of cuisine . Your smart phone can identify many close to you while in the area and if you still use the yellow pages (sure we do, we "R" 68!) the list goes on. Nevertheless, a few are provided here beginning with some long-standing traditional and cherished establishments.
Click on the website links under each venue to be taken to each of the accomodations, things to do, and places to eat suggestions.
Air & Car
Des Moines International Airport
5800 Fleur Dr., Suite 207
Des Moines, IA
US
Contact:
515-256-5050
Uber @ Des Moines International Airport
Freedom Taxicab
Contact:
515-289-9800
United Cab Ltd
Contact:
515-277-7784
Restaurants
Christopher's
2816 Beaver Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-274-3694
www.christophersdsm.com/c
hristophersdsm.com/Home.h
tml
2816 Beaver Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-274-3694
www.christophersdsm.com/c
hristophersdsm.com/Home.h
tml
Chuck's
3610 6th Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-244-4104
www.chucksdsm.com/chuckds
m.com/Welcome.html
3610 6th Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-244-4104
www.chucksdsm.com/chuckds
m.com/Welcome.html
Mama Lacona's Italian Restaurant
3825 121st St
Urbandale, IA
United States
Contact:
515-270-0022
mamalacona.com
3825 121st St
Urbandale, IA
United States
Contact:
515-270-0022
mamalacona.com
Star Bar
2811 Ingersoll
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-244-0790
www.starbardsm.com/index1
.html
2811 Ingersoll
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-244-0790
www.starbardsm.com/index1
.html
A Dong Restaurant
1511 High St
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-284-5632
Vietnamese. No current website.
1511 High St
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-284-5632
Vietnamese. No current website.
Wasabi Chi & Wasabi Tao
5418 Douglas
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-528-8246
www.wasabidsm.com
5418 Douglas
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-528-8246
www.wasabidsm.com
Things To Do
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Dr.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-323-6290
www.dmbotanicalgarden.com
909 Robert D. Ray Dr.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-323-6290
www.dmbotanicalgarden.com
World Food Prize (former downtown public library)
100 Locust St.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-245-3735
www.worldfoodprize.org/en
/hall_of_laureates/welcom
e_to_the_hall_of_laureate
s/
World Food Prize hours:
100 Locust St.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-245-3735
www.worldfoodprize.org/en
/hall_of_laureates/welcom
e_to_the_hall_of_laureate
s/
World Food Prize hours:
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9AM–3PM |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9AM–1PM |
Downtown Farmers Market
along Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact: Kelly Foss
515-286-4928
www.dsmpartnership.com/de
smoinesfarmersmarket/abou
t/contact
along Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact: Kelly Foss
515-286-4928
www.dsmpartnership.com/de
smoinesfarmersmarket/abou
t/contact
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-237-1386
www.desmoinesartcenter.or
g/visit/pappajohn-sculptu
re-park
1330 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-237-1386
www.desmoinesartcenter.or
g/visit/pappajohn-sculptu
re-park
Historic East Village
between state capitol & DM River
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
eastvillagedesmoines.com
between state capitol & DM River
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
eastvillagedesmoines.com
Iowa State Capitol
1007 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-281-5591
www.legis.iowa.gov
The website has links to setting up or taking virtual tours, not just legislative info. The building is open to the public during the following times:
1007 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-281-5591
www.legis.iowa.gov
The website has links to setting up or taking virtual tours, not just legislative info. The building is open to the public during the following times:
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 7AM–5PM |
| Tuesday | 7AM–5PM |
| Wednesday | 7AM–5PM |
| Thursday | 7AM–5PM |
| Friday | 7AM–5PM |
| Saturday | 9AM–4PM |
Science Center of Iowa
401 W. Martin Luther King Pkwy
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-274-6868
www.sciowa.org
401 W. Martin Luther King Pkwy
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-274-6868
www.sciowa.org
Other downtown attractions
www.dsmpartnership.com/do
wntowndsmusa/experiencing
-downtown/things-to-do/do
wntown-attractions
Visit this website for many other ideas and CATCH Des Moines!
www.dsmpartnership.com/do
wntowndsmusa/experiencing
-downtown/things-to-do/do
wntown-attractions
Visit this website for many other ideas and CATCH Des Moines!
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515.277.4405
www.desmoinesartcenter.or
g
4700 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515.277.4405
www.desmoinesartcenter.or
g
Adventureland Park
3200 Adventureland Dr.
Altoona, IA
United States
Contact:
515-266-2121
www.adventurelandresort.c
om
3200 Adventureland Dr.
Altoona, IA
United States
Contact:
515-266-2121
www.adventurelandresort.c
om
Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino
1 Prairie Meadows Dr
Altoona, IA
United States
Contact:
5125-967-1000
www.prairiemeadows.com
1 Prairie Meadows Dr
Altoona, IA
United States
Contact:
5125-967-1000
www.prairiemeadows.com
Jordan Creek Town Center
101 Jordan Creek Parkway
West Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-440-6255
www.jordancreektowncenter
.com/en.html
101 Jordan Creek Parkway
West Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-440-6255
www.jordancreektowncenter
.com/en.html
Saylorville Lake
5600 NW 78th Ave.
Johnston, IA
United States
Contact:
515-276-0433
www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Mi
ssions/Recreation/Saylorv
ille-Lake/
5600 NW 78th Ave.
Johnston, IA
United States
Contact:
515-276-0433
www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Mi
ssions/Recreation/Saylorv
ille-Lake/
Valley Junction
4th-7th blocks RR Ave. & Locust
West Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-222-3642
www.valleyjunction.com
4th-7th blocks RR Ave. & Locust
West Des Moines, IA
United States
Contact:
515-222-3642
www.valleyjunction.com
Outlets of Des Moines
801 Bass Pro Dr. NW
Altoona, IA
United States
Contact:
515-380-7400
www.outletsofdesmoines.co
m
Newest shopping area in the expanding Altoona entertainment market. Adjacent to Prairie Meadows Racetrack and behind Bass Pro Shops.
801 Bass Pro Dr. NW
Altoona, IA
United States
Contact:
515-380-7400
www.outletsofdesmoines.co
m
Newest shopping area in the expanding Altoona entertainment market. Adjacent to Prairie Meadows Racetrack and behind Bass Pro Shops.
Accommodations
Des Moines Marriot Downtown
700 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
50309
Contact: +1 800-514-4681 Toll free
515-245-5500
www.marriott.com/hotels/t
ravel/dsmia-des-moines-ma
rriott-downtown/
700 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA
United States
50309
Contact: +1 800-514-4681 Toll free
515-245-5500
www.marriott.com/hotels/t
ravel/dsmia-des-moines-ma
rriott-downtown/
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
435 Park St
Des Moines, IA
United States
50309
Contact:
515-241-1456
dsmdi_hotel@hilton.com
www3.hilton.com/en/hotels
/iowa/hilton-des-moines-d
owntown-DSMDIHH/index.htm
l
435 Park St
Des Moines, IA
United States
50309
Contact:
515-241-1456
dsmdi_hotel@hilton.com
www3.hilton.com/en/hotels
/iowa/hilton-des-moines-d
owntown-DSMDIHH/index.htm
l
Embassy Suites by Hilton
101 East Locust
Des Moines, IA
United States
50309
Contact:
515-244-1700
embassysuites3.hilton.com
/en/hotels/iowa/embassy-s
uites-by-hilton-des-moine
s-downtown-DSMDNES/index.
html
101 East Locust
Des Moines, IA
United States
50309
Contact:
515-244-1700
embassysuites3.hilton.com
/en/hotels/iowa/embassy-s
uites-by-hilton-des-moine
s-downtown-DSMDNES/index.
html
West Des Moines Marriot
1250 Jordan Creek Parkway
West Des Moines, IA
United States
50266
Contact:
515-267-1500
www.marriott.com/hotels/t
ravel/dsmwd-west-des-moin
es-marriott/
1250 Jordan Creek Parkway
West Des Moines, IA
United States
50266
Contact:
515-267-1500
www.marriott.com/hotels/t
ravel/dsmwd-west-des-moin
es-marriott/
Valley West Inn
3535 Westtown Parkway
West Des Moines, IA
United States
50266
Contact:
525-225-2524
www.valleywestinn.com
3535 Westtown Parkway
West Des Moines, IA
United States
50266
Contact:
525-225-2524
www.valleywestinn.com
Doubletree by Hilton DSM Airport
6800 Fleur Dr.
Des Moines, IA
United States
50321
Contact:
855-605-0318
doubletree3.hilton.com/en
/hotels/iowa/doubletree-b
y-hilton-hotel-des-moines
-airport-DSMFDDT/index.ht
ml
6800 Fleur Dr.
Des Moines, IA
United States
50321
Contact:
855-605-0318
doubletree3.hilton.com/en
/hotels/iowa/doubletree-b
y-hilton-hotel-des-moines
-airport-DSMFDDT/index.ht
ml
Ramada DSM Airport
1810 Army Post Rd.
Des Moines, IA
United States
50315
Contact:
515-287-6464
www.wyndhamhotels.com/ram
ada/des-moines-iowa/ramad
a-des-moines-airport/over
view
1810 Army Post Rd.
Des Moines, IA
United States
50315
Contact:
515-287-6464
www.wyndhamhotels.com/ram
ada/des-moines-iowa/ramad
a-des-moines-airport/over
view