Des Moines, IA

Downtown Des Moines is neatly divided by the Des Moines River, giving the city center two distinct personalities. On the east side, the iconic gold-domed State Capitol overlooks the Historic East Village, a lively neighborhood packed with indie boutiques, cozy coffee shops, cocktail lounges, and some of the best dining in town. Cross the bridges to the west bank, and you enter the commercial core, a major national hub for insurance and financial services anchored by large employers like Principal Financial. If you are navigating an Iowa winter, the four-mile elevated skywalk system connects dozens of office towers, apartments, and parking garages, so you can grab lunch or head to a meeting without stepping out into the cold.

ATTRTony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States / CC BY 2.0

The city has built an impressive outdoor scene around its waterways. Right through the middle of town, the Principal Riverwalk lines both banks with lighted walking paths, pedestrian bridges, and scenic plazas. Outdoor enthusiasts have quick access to massive green spaces just minutes from downtown, including Gray’s Lake Park for paddleboarding and evening jogs, as well as the sprawling Water Works Park. Des Moines also boasts a huge cycling community, supported by hundreds of miles of paved trails that link urban neighborhoods directly to the suburbs, countryside, and local taprooms.

ATTRTim Kiser ( w:User:Malepheasant ) / CC BY-SA 2.5

Beyond downtown, Des Moines opens up into distinct, established neighborhoods with plenty of character. Just west of the center, the vibrant Ingersoll Avenue corridor offers historic homes, craft eateries, and neighborhood pubs on the way toward Drake University. Head to the south side for classic family-run Italian restaurants, the historic Fort Des Moines grounds, and Blank Park Zoo. The local arts scene is easy to enjoy too, highlighted by the open-air Pappajohn Sculpture Park and regular community gallery nights.

ATTRDsmspence / CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting around the metro is famously easy, with short commute times and an updated DART bus network connecting residential pockets, hospitals, and campus corridors. On the east side, the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds hosts the legendary Iowa State Fair every August, bringing concerts, agricultural showcases, and famous food on a stick that draws visitors from across the region. Throughout the rest of the year, the grounds stay busy with classic car shows, antique markets, and festivals, giving the city a steady calendar of events in every season.