Downtown Des Moines Des Moines, IA

Des Moines started as a military post to control the Sauk and Meskwaki tribes of the area. Fort Des Moines was established in May 1843, and settlers to the area followed soon after. In 1857, the state capitol moved from Iowa City to Des Moines. Once a blue-collar town for coal miners, Des Moines developed into a white-collar community and currently ranks as the third largest insurance center in the world.

The Iowa State Capitol building, the State of Iowa Historical Museum and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden can be found downtown.

The World Food & Music Festival takes place each September, and residents enjoy the celebration of the best foods Iowa has to offer as well as foods from around the world. The Des Moines Art Festival, held each June, allows residents and visitors to explore visual, performance and musical art that celebrates the diversity of the city.

The downtown neighborhoods of Des Moines provide residents a variety of options when it comes to dining experiences. For French food without the attitude, try Django. An appetizer recommended by the locals, the cheese and charcuterie platter includes three different cheeses, house-made pâte, French style dry-cured pork sausage and prosciutto. The restaurant's beef bourguignon would make Julia Child proud, and the French toast with bourbon-bacon syrup for dessert ends a perfect meal.

Proof, with its James Beard Foundation nominated chef, gives residents a taste of large metropolitan dining right in Iowa. Menus change frequently, and diners have the option of ordering off the menu or letting the chef treat them to a several-course experience. One dish on both the prix fixe and dinner menus that locals favor, the house salad of baby beets, pickled beets, house-made marshmallows, arugula, orange, mango and mint, begins the meal with a bang. Follow that with either the duck confit or the garlic-thyme sumac pork for a top-shelf dining experience.

Out-of-towners may be surprised at the variety of dining options in Iowa, and finding fresh sushi at Wasabi Tao in downtown Des Moines definitely surprises many. Three favorite rolls diners recommend include the Hotel Kirkwood roll, the Out of Control roll and the V.I.P. roll. The Hotel Kirkwood roll features salmon tempura, asparagus and mango topped with spicy tuna, mayonnaise and unagi sauce. The Out of Control roll includes king crab and bass topped with crunchy tuna and three different sauces. Finally, the V.I.P. roll has spicy salmon, shrimp, kani, avocado and asparagus wrapped inside soy nori, topped with shichimi, yellow tail, honey wasabi and a spicy lychee sauce.

El Bait Shop serves over 200 different beer selections, making this a favorite hangout for beer connoisseurs. It has over 100 types of beer on tap, which rotate often, and over 100 other kinds of bottled beer. Guests can order good bar food and sit outside on the patio, making this a fun place for friends to hang out after work or on the weekend.

Next door to El Bait Shop, the High Life Lounge transports you back to the 1970s with its decor and atmosphere. This dive bar sits close to a bike trail, making this place a favorite hangout with local cyclists. Cold beer and great bar food define any good dive bar, and the High Life Lounge doesn't disappoint in either area.

Midsized bands rock the house at Wooly's on weekends, and good music and cheap drinks mean fun for everyone. Good acoustics make this small venue surprisingly delightful, and dancers have plenty of room to kick up their heels.

For a club atmosphere, head to Joker's or the Lime Lounge. The Lime Lounge bills itself as an intimate club. Regulars appreciate the ample dance floor and ever-changing DJ lineup.

Traveling through the downtown neighborhoods can be best accomplished by walking. The city has over four miles of skywalks throughout downtown, and the Chicago Tribune has said the city streets of the city are “walker-friendly.”

Residents and visitors traveling by car to downtown use Interstate 235, which runs through the heart of the city. This interstate connects with both Interstate 80 and Interstate 35, making commuting to work and shopping relatively easy. Several parking ramps downtown connect to the skywalk system, which is convenient for downtown workers who commute from outlying neighborhoods.

The D-line trolley gives riders a free ride through the downtown area Monday through Friday. Public transportation through the Des Moines Area Regional Transit system provides riders access to all areas of downtown and the Des Moines metro area.

With the exception of wintertime, B-cycle allows residents to bike-share for 60-minute rides all throughout the downtown area. Several taxi services and Uber also provide locals convenient ways to get to their destinations.

Several parks can be found downtown in Des Moines, giving downtown residents lots of green spaces to relax and unwind.

The Robert D. Ray Asian Garden, named after a long-time governor of the state, sits along the east bank of the Des Moines River. Visitors can find an Asian pagoda, beautiful flower gardens and a series of waterfalls.

Pedestrian bridges and trails can be found throughout the Principal Riverwalk. Located within the park, residents also enjoy the Brenton Skating Plaza, an open-air facility that can accommodate up to 220 skaters. Open from November to March, residents can purchase daily or seasonal passes. Riverwalk also has four acres devoted to pets. The fenced-in area can be accessed year found from 6 am until sunset, and pet owners do need to purchase a permit to use the facility.

The overall cost of living in Des Moines is 16.9% below the national average, with particularly notable differences in housing, which runs 37.2% below the national average. Utilities are also considerably lower at 21.2% below the national average, while groceries, transportation, and healthcare costs are relatively close to national norms. For renters, estimated basic monthly expenses in Des Moines total around $3,575, which includes housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.

In Downtown Des Moines specifically, average rent ranges from $850 per month for a studio to $1,011 for a one-bedroom and $1,116 for a two-bedroom apartment. Larger units, such as three-bedroom apartments, average around $1,539 per month. Rent prices in the neighborhood have remained largely stable year-over-year, with modest increases seen in studios and three-bedroom units and minimal changes across other unit sizes.

Downtown Des Moines offers a diverse and walkable shopping experience rooted in neighborhood character. The Historic East Village stands out as one of the city's most beloved retail destinations, where beautifully restored buildings house independent boutiques, specialty shops, and local merchants. The neighborhood's pedestrian-friendly streets make it easy to browse at your own pace, and its mix of laid-back cafes and creative storefronts gives the area a distinct, community-driven atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Court Avenue district and surrounding downtown core connect shoppers to additional retail options through Des Moines' iconic climate-controlled skywalk system, one of the largest in the United States, which spans four miles and makes year-round shopping convenient no matter the weather.

For those who prefer an open-air experience, the Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market is a can't-miss attraction. Held on Saturday mornings from May through October along Court Avenue, it is one of the largest open-air markets in the Midwest, drawing hundreds of local vendors selling fresh produce, handmade goods, artisan crafts, and locally sourced products. The market has become a beloved community tradition and a true reflection of the city's Midwestern roots. Whether you're stocking up on seasonal ingredients or searching for one-of-a-kind handcrafted items, the shopping scene in Downtown Des Moines offers something for every style and interest.