Our city may be small in terms of “city”, but oh is it mighty. The more Des Moines grows and expands it’s boundaries, the more T and I fall in love with where we live. T grew up here, and I’m an Iowan, but the Des Moines we used to know as kids has burst out of it’s shell and become a truly great place to live, work and play. And now that summer is upon us, we can’t wait to indulge in our favorite summer activities in Des Moines. Music, festivals, rooftop bars, and outdoor fun await. Whether you’re from the area or curious about this little Midwest gem, here are my top 5 favorite summer activities in our city.
Downtown Farmers’ Market
Rated one of the best in the nation, the Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market may quite possibly be the best summer activity our city has. Running 7am to Noon every Saturday, there’s room for everyone. The early birds get the freshest produce and small crowd, while the mid-morning rush lengthens the breakfast burrito line by blocks. And for the ones who come early and stay late, there’s plenty of people watching and outdoor venues to grab a drink or hang with your pup. Seriously, the hum and chaos of the market is enough to satisfy your summer weekend and you can even walk away with a fresh pie or a bouquet of garden flowers for the table. That’s a win in my book.
Jasper Winery Summer Concert Series
One of my favorite things in the summer – live outdoor music. And Des Moines offers plenty of it. But, my personal favorite happens on Thursday nights at Jasper Winery, just outside downtown. With a bring-your-own-chair-or-blanket (BYOCOB) policy, the band sets up in front of the grape vines allowing good views & plenty of lawn space to stretch out. They serve their locally produced wine and beer and have food vendors as well. It’s such a great time to unwind with friends and listen to great music.
Nitefall on the River
And yes, I’m going to list two outdoor concert options because they’re just that good. A summer does not pass without a trip to at least a few Nitefall on the River events. An amphitheater situated right along the river downtown, the view of the skyline acts as the backdrop to the musicians playing on stage. If the mixture of city lights and (typically) summer-vibes music doesn’t fulfill your summer night, I’m not sure what will. Again, beer and food are served in plenty & it’s a great night to spend on a date or with a group of friends.
Des Moines Arts Festival
Marked in my calendar all year long, the Des Moines Arts Festival is by far my favorite event of the summer. You may not expect such a large arts event in a small city like ours, but this one packs a punch. Artists gather from around the nation to display their work around the streets circling our sculpture garden downtown. The three-day event has plenty of unique art, food and live music to keep you entertained. We’ve never missed the festival since moving here and have no plans to in the future. So fun!
High Trestle Trail
For those of you who prefer to be adventuring rather than festival-ing, the High Trestle Trail will certainly impress. Situated north of the city, you can get there by bike or foot, depending on where you park. I highly recommend the bike trail from one of the nearby (or further away) parking lots. Make a day of it and stop along the trail in small towns for a drink and some food, or bike right through and get to the fantastic bridge that awaits. Such a fun family outing or a unique nighttime adventure.
Kayak or Canoe At Gray’s Lake
Personally, I can’t spend enough time around Gray’s Lake during the summer. I mean, a small lake within walking distance from downtown… doesn’t get much better. There’s a great trail surrounding the lake, perfect for walking, jogging, rollerblading or exercising your pup. However, if you prefer to be on the water, the rental shop has kayaks, canoes, even small sailboats! There’s also a beach if you’re looking to catch some rays. All the locals love this spot and it’s constantly humming while the weather is nice.
These 5 summer activities in Des Moines are just the tip of the iceberg. Our great city has so many things happening all the time and I’m excited to take advantage once again this season.
Have you every been to Des Moines?
xoxo. B
Megan B says
This makes me miss Des Moines SO MUCH MORE than I already do! <3 Grace Potter at Nitefall on the River was the best!
brittany s. says
Well Des Moines misses you too!! (that includes me!) That night was so fun – we went last night for Foster the People & had so much fun!
Karly says
This makes me miss Des Moines SO much (I think you know that we lived there for 6 years to attend/graduate from Drake and work). We seriously love that city, and probably would still live there if that’s what life would’ve decided for us. The art festival was always my favorite, too. We need to come back for a weekend visit – mostly for a zombie burger. 😉
brittany s. says
Yes! I do remember you telling me that! It’s definitely a fun city. Let me know if you ever come for a weekend – I would love to meet up & do fun Des Moines things! 🙂