Downtown Des Moines (Des Moines) Travel Guide - Free

Explore Downtown Des Moines in Des Moines with Evendo's free guide. Find the best shops, historic streets, restaurants, and gems on web or mobile.

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Downtown Des Moines
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Downtown Des Moines blends Court Avenue dining, public art, river walks, live theatre, the farmers’ market and Iowa culture in a compact urban centre.

A Compact Civic Centre

Downtown Des Moines occupies the meeting point of Iowa’s principal rivers, where the Des Moines River curves past a concentrated mix of civic buildings, theatres, restaurants, offices and public spaces. The central business district is compact enough to explore on foot, yet its character changes from block to block: the Western Gateway opens into lawns and contemporary sculpture, Court Avenue retains the atmosphere of an older commercial street, and the riverfront links parks, bridges and recreation areas.
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Art, Performance and Public Space

The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park is the area’s most recognisable cultural landscape, placing large-scale modern works among paths and lawns beside the downtown grid. Nearby, the Des Moines Civic Center presents touring productions and performances, while the Des Moines Central Library is notable for its contemporary architecture and light-filled interior. The Principal Riverwalk provides a more leisurely route along the water, connecting promenades, gardens, bridges and the Brenton Skating Plaza.

Markets, Food and Evening Streets

Court Avenue and the Historic Court District form the city centre’s main dining and nightlife focus, with restaurants, pubs and bars occupying restored commercial buildings and newer premises. On Saturday mornings during its seasonal run, the Downtown Farmers’ Market fills surrounding streets with Iowa produce, baked goods and regional food stalls. At the edge of the district, the Iowa Events Center brings concerts, sporting fixtures and conventions, meaning the atmosphere can shift substantially on event days. Downtown Des Moines is therefore less a single architectural quarter than a walkable civic landscape shaped by the river, public investment and an active calendar of cultural events.

Best attractions in Downtown Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines offers a concentrated sequence of attractions rather than a single monumental sight. The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park places major contemporary works across an accessible outdoor landscape at the Western Gateway, while the Principal Riverwalk follows the Des Moines River through promenades, bridges, gardens and viewpoints. The Des Moines Civic Center is the district’s principal theatre venue, presenting a changing programme of touring performances, and the Des Moines Central Library adds a notable piece of contemporary civic architecture. Court Avenue and the Historic Court District reward a slower walk through older commercial blocks, restaurants and bars. The seasonal Downtown Farmers’ Market expands this experience across surrounding streets with regional food and craft stalls. The Brenton Skating Plaza and riverfront paths bring a recreational dimension, while the Iowa Events Center supplies large-scale concerts, conventions and sporting events nearby.

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Best landmarks in Downtown Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines’s landmarks express its roles as Iowa’s capital, commercial centre and river city. The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park is both a public artwork collection and a defining western gateway to the central district, while the Principal Riverwalk’s bridges and promenades have made the river a visible part of downtown life. Court Avenue retains the strongest sense of the historic commercial core, with older masonry buildings and a street pattern shaped by nineteenth-century growth. The Des Moines Civic Center is an important later cultural landmark, and the Des Moines Central Library represents a modern civic approach to public architecture. The Iowa Events Center anchors the northern part of downtown with large-scale event facilities. Together these places show how the district has been repeatedly adapted—from river-oriented settlement and commerce to office, cultural and public-realm uses.

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Explore Downtown Des Moines on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Downtown Des Moines, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in Downtown Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines has its broadest concentration of restaurants around Court Avenue, the Historic Court District and adjoining blocks, where older commercial facades accommodate steakhouses, casual dining rooms, pizzerias, burgers, international food and bars with substantial menus. The area’s food culture reflects both the capital’s professional population and Iowa’s agricultural setting: seasonal produce, regional meat and locally made products appear alongside contemporary American cooking and familiar late-night fare. Fong’s Pizza and Zombie Burger are established downtown names, while the wider district includes independent cafés and restaurants whose offerings change over time. The Downtown Farmers’ Market provides another way to sample Iowa food traditions, from baked goods and prepared dishes to farm produce, but it is a seasonal market rather than a permanent food hall. Event nights can make Court Avenue particularly busy, so dining plans may need flexibility.

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Best bars in Downtown Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines nightlife is concentrated around Court Avenue and the Historic Court District, with Irish-style pubs, beer bars, cocktail-focused venues, casual drinking spots and restaurants that become livelier after work and during events. Royal Mile is a long-established Court Avenue pub associated with an extensive beer selection, while Hessen Haus brings a German-inspired beer-hall style to the downtown scene. El Bait Shop, on the southern side of the central area, is known for its large beer list and informal atmosphere. The district also benefits from performances at the Des Moines Civic Center and events at the Iowa Events Center, though these are scheduled entertainments rather than nightclubs. Late-night activity varies by day and by the event calendar, and the atmosphere is generally more concentrated around particular venues than spread evenly across every downtown street.

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Best nightclubs in Downtown Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines nightlife is concentrated around Court Avenue and the Historic Court District, with Irish-style pubs, beer bars, cocktail-focused venues, casual drinking spots and restaurants that become livelier after work and during events. Royal Mile is a long-established Court Avenue pub associated with an extensive beer selection, while Hessen Haus brings a German-inspired beer-hall style to the downtown scene. El Bait Shop, on the southern side of the central area, is known for its large beer list and informal atmosphere. The district also benefits from performances at the Des Moines Civic Center and events at the Iowa Events Center, though these are scheduled entertainments rather than nightclubs. Late-night activity varies by day and by the event calendar, and the atmosphere is generally more concentrated around particular venues than spread evenly across every downtown street.

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Best shops in Downtown Des Moines

Shopping in Downtown Des Moines is more event-led and independent than department-store focused. The strongest recurring retail occasion is the seasonal Downtown Farmers’ Market, when Court Avenue and neighbouring streets fill with Iowa growers, bakers, food producers, makers and prepared-food vendors. Outside market hours, visitors will find small specialist retailers, cafés and locally oriented businesses mixed through the Historic Court District and central blocks, while the downtown skywalk connects offices, hotels and commercial premises rather than forming a conventional pedestrian shopping street. The Western Gateway and riverfront are primarily public and cultural spaces, not retail districts. Visitors seeking a broader concentration of boutiques and independent shops may find more choice in adjacent East Village, which should be treated as a separate nearby neighbourhood rather than part of Downtown Des Moines.

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Downtown Des Moines essentials

Getting There
Downtown Des Moines is the city’s main public-transportation hub. DART Central Station, at 620 Cherry Street, serves local bus routes and is a useful arrival point for visitors travelling from other parts of the metropolitan area. Interstate 235 runs along the northern side of downtown, while Interstate 35 and Interstate 80 approach the city from outside the central district; drivers should expect paid parking in garages, surface lots and some metered areas. The Downtown Farmers’ Market and major events can make central streets busier than usual. Des Moines International Airport is south-west of downtown, so reaching the centre from there generally requires a taxi, rideshare or private vehicle rather than a rail connection.
Getting Around
The central grid, Court Avenue, the Western Gateway and the riverfront are manageable on foot, although wide roads, bridges and the Des Moines River can make routes feel less direct than the map suggests. The Principal Riverwalk links several downtown attractions through paths and promenades, while the downtown skywalk provides an enclosed alternative across selected blocks. Walking conditions vary with snow and ice in winter, and some riverfront paths include ramps or changes in level. DART buses serve the district, but visitors concentrating on the central attractions will often find walking the simplest option. Cycling is possible on local trails and streets, with conditions and route markings varying by location.
Safety
Use ordinary urban precautions in Downtown Des Moines, particularly around crowded events, busier bar streets and the seasonal farmers’ market. Keep phones and bags secure, remain aware of traffic when crossing broad downtown roads, and take care near cycle paths and river edges. After dark, stay on well-used routes and arrange transport in advance if travelling beyond the central grid. Event crowds can change the feel of a block quickly, while quieter office streets may have little pedestrian activity outside business hours. These are practical considerations rather than a reason to avoid the district; visitors should follow current local guidance and use their judgement.
Emergency Situations
In an emergency anywhere in Downtown Des Moines, call 911 for police, fire or ambulance assistance and state the street address or nearby landmark clearly. The downtown grid, bridges and riverfront can make an exact location helpful, particularly if a caller is near a trail or public sculpture. For non-urgent medical needs, ask accommodation staff, a pharmacist or local health service for current advice rather than assuming a facility lies within the neighbourhood. International visitors should keep identification, travel-insurance details and any essential medication information accessible. Follow instructions from emergency personnel during severe weather, flooding or event-related incidents.
Do's and Don'ts
Respect residents, workers and performers when moving through the downtown grid, especially around restaurants, apartment buildings and late-night venues. Ask before photographing people or market traders closely, and do not touch or climb public sculptures, memorials or landscaped features. Queue patiently at market stalls and keep cycleways and pedestrian crossings clear. At bars and restaurants, customary American tipping applies for table service, with the amount guided by the quality and type of service. Keep noise down when leaving nightlife areas, dispose of rubbish properly and follow posted instructions around the river, skating plaza and event venues.
Local Tips
Begin with a map of the riverwalk and downtown skywalk so that bridges, parks and indoor connections become part of the route rather than obstacles. Court Avenue is useful for combining older commercial streets with dining, while the Western Gateway offers a more open setting for the sculpture park and nearby cultural venues. The Saturday farmers’ market is seasonal and can transform several blocks, so allow space for browsing rather than treating it as a quick stop. Winter visitors should favour the skywalk and check trail conditions; summer visitors can extend a central walk towards the riverfront, but should carry water in hot weather.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[haw-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya[see yah]
YesYep[yep]
NoNah[nuh]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No problem[pleez/no prob-lem]
Thank youThanks[th-anks]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/My bad[par-dun me/my bad]
How are you?How's it going?[hows it go-ing]
Fine. And you?Good. You?[good. yoo]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[yah speak ing-lish]
I don't understandI'm lost[im lost]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[ken eye see the men-yoo]
I don't eat meatI'm vegetarian[im ve-ji-tear-ee-an]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers]
I would like to pay, pleaseCheck please[chek pleez]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Get lost![get lost]
Call the Police!Call the Cops![call the cops]
Call a doctor!Get a doc![get a dock]
I'm lostI'm lost[im lost]
I'm illI'm sick[im sik]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[i wanna buy]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[just brows-ing]
How much is it?How much?[how much]
That's too expensiveThat's pricy[thats pricy]
Can you lower the price?Any discounts?[any dis-counts]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[whats the time]
It's one o'clockIt's one[its one]
Half past (10)Ten thirty[ten thur-tee]
MorningMorning[mor-ning]
AfternoonAfternoon[af-ter-noon]
EveningEvening[even-ing]
YesterdayYesterday[yes-ter-day]
TodayToday[to-day]
TomorrowTomorrow[to-mor-row]
1One[wun]
2Two[too]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[seven]
8Eight[ate]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[wheres the]
What's the address?What's the addy?[whats the add-ee]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me (on the map)?[can you show me (on the map)]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[whens the next (bus)]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[a ticket (to)]

History of Downtown Des Moines

River Confluence and Fort Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines developed around the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, a location that had long been significant to Indigenous peoples before American settlement. Fort Des Moines was established in 1843 near the junction, and the settlement that followed took the name Des Moines. The rivers influenced early movement, commerce and the location of the emerging town, while the low-lying ground also brought recurring challenges from flooding. The area’s later street plan and central institutions grew outward from this river-oriented settlement rather than from a pre-existing colonial town centre.

A New State Capital

Des Moines became Iowa’s permanent capital in 1857, when the legislature moved the seat of government from Iowa City. That decision gave the young settlement an enduring civic role and encouraged the construction of offices, public institutions and transportation links around the downtown area. Commercial activity concentrated along streets including Court Avenue, while the river crossings and expanding road network connected the capital to surrounding communities. The state government’s presence continued to distinguish central Des Moines from ordinary commercial towns, even as private offices, shops and entertainments filled the blocks around it.

Railways, Commerce and Urban Growth

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, railways and industrial commerce strengthened Des Moines’s position as a regional centre. Downtown gained banks, department stores, theatres, hotels and commercial buildings serving Iowa’s capital and its growing population. Court Avenue and adjoining streets became important places for trade and public life, while the rivers and rail corridors supported warehousing and movement of goods. Many later changes to the central district—including highway construction, parking provision and redevelopment—reflect the tension between preserving this historic commercial core and adapting it to twentieth-century patterns of travel.

Renewal Around the River and Gateway

Like many American downtowns, Des Moines experienced suburban competition and the loss of some traditional retail activity after the Second World War. Civic investment later sought to restore central-city foot traffic through venues, public landscapes and riverfront improvements. The Des Moines Civic Center opened in 1979, and subsequent projects reshaped the western gateway and river corridor with parks, trails, bridges and cultural facilities. The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, opened in 2009, became a particularly visible part of this renewal. Contemporary downtown Des Moines combines surviving commercial streets with purpose-built public spaces and a large office and events economy.

Downtown Des Moines in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

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The closest neighbourhoods to Downtown Des Moines, if you have time for more than one stop.

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