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3 Days in Des Moines: Itinerary 2026 · 4 Antworten
Things to Do in Des Moines (2026) · 5 Antworten
Best Food in Des Moines (2026) · 5 Antworten

Des Moines

jennyjuergens · 2026-10-14T22:29:28+02:00

**🗓️ Day 1 Morning Downtown** Start your day at the Des Moines Farmers' Market in the Historic East Village if it's Saturday (7 a.m. to noon, May through October). Otherwise, grab breakfast at Scenic Route Bakery (350 E Locust St, open 7 a.m.) and explore the Iowa State Capitol (1007 E Grand Ave, free tours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). From downtown hotels, it's a 10-minute walk or a 5-minute drive to the East Village. **🍽️ Day 1 Afternoon and Evening** After lunch at Zombie Burger (300 E Grand Ave, around $12 for a burger), visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (909 Robert D. Ray Dr, $10 admission, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Then head to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park (1330 Grand Ave, free, open dawn to dusk) for a stroll. For dinner, try Centro (1003 Locust St, entrees $15-25) and catch a show at the Civic Center (221 Walnut St). **🦦 Day 2 Morning at Blank Park** Begin day two at Blank Park Zoo (7401 SW 9th St, opens 9 a.m., $16.95 for adults). It's about a 15-minute drive from downtown. After the zoo, visit the nearby Fort Des Moines Museum (75 E Army Post Rd, free, open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday). **🌳 Day 2 Afternoon in Valley Junction** Drive 10 minutes to Valley Junction in West Des Moines for lunch at The Foundry (111 S 11th St, open 11 a.m.). Browse the antique shops along 5th Street, then walk the trails at Raccoon River Park (2500 Grand Ave, free). In the evening, catch a movie at the Flix Brewhouse (3800 Merle Hay Rd) or return downtown for dinner at Malo (900 Mulberry St, small plates $8-14). **🚗 Day 3 Morning in Ankeny** On day three, drive 20 minutes north to Ankeny for breakfast at The Cafe (2610 SE Delaware Ave, open 7 a.m.). Then explore the Ankeny Art Center (1520 SW Ordnance Rd, free, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday). If you have kids, the Playground for Everyone at Hawkeye Park (1000 NW 4th St) is a great stop. **🍺 Day 3 Afternoon and Evening** Return to downtown and visit the State Historical Museum of Iowa (600 E Locust St, free, open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday). Then take a brewery tour at Exile Brewing Co. (1514 Walnut St, tours $10, open 4 p.m.). For your final dinner, splurge at 801 Chophouse (801 Grand Ave, steaks $30-60) or keep it casual at Fong's Pizza (223 4th St, open until 2 a.m.). **🚌 Getting Around** Des Moines is car-friendly, but downtown is walkable. DART buses run every 15-30 minutes on major routes, with a day pass costing $4. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are plentiful, with typical fares between downtown and the airport around $20. From the airport (DSM) to downtown, it's a 10-minute drive or a 20-minute bus ride on route 8. **💡 Practical Tips** Purchase a Des Moines Attractions Pass for discounted entry to multiple museums. Many downtown restaurants offer happy hour specials from 4 to 6 p.m. Check the Des Moines Register's events calendar for festivals during your visit. Weather in 2026 can vary, so pack layers for spring and fall.