when you plan out your vacations, iowa probably isn't the first choice on that list or even on that list. i don't blame you, especially if you are from california, because it's currently about zero degrees outside, but we do warm up and we are pretty damn cool. to quote the great des moines establishment, raygun (you'll read about it a little later), let des moines "...exceed your already low expectations"! here's a little guide for a day in des moines if you ever find yourself in the strangely most hipster city i've ever been to / greatest city in the universe.
places to go and things to see:
even though we're a small city, des moines has many things to see
and do. here are a few of my favorite places in the greatest city in the
universe.
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| hill vintage & knits- located in the east village, this is my favorite vintage/thrift store in the city. i bought a black, velvet dress jacket here that i love. if you're in des moines for a day, check it out. the prices are pretty good for vintage clothing and the clothes are adorable too. |
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| the des moines art center- on your day in des moines, i highly recommend you visit the des moines art center. for a small city, we have an impressive art center. the building itself is a work of art and it houses works by artists like henry moore, jackson pollock, el greco and andy warhol. in the summertime, there's a beautiful rose garden in the back of the art center. |
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| pappajohn sculpture park- on a warm day, walking through the sculpture park in downtown des moines is great thing to do on your day in des moines. you just might have to wait a little while for your warm day :). |
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| zzz records- des moines the strangely "hipster" city. what good up and coming "hipster" city wouldn't have a nice local record shop? i actually went to zzz records for the first time this week, and if you come for a day in des moines and you're looking for some nice carpenters and fleetwood mac records or the pope's speech and facts on the battle of little bighorn on vinyl - this is the place for you. |
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| raygun- disclaimer: if you aren't from the midwest, specifically des moines, this store will confuse you. raygun. when visting des moines, you have to go to raygun. you don't have a choice. the out-of-stater will be totally confused and that makes it all the more fun. make sure you bring someone from iowa to laugh at your confusion and possible concern for the citizens of des moines. if you're looking for postcards to send to your friends of your day in des moines, you have to buy them at raygun. |
things to eat:
iowa has great places to eat. many of which serve and use
local produce and ingredients and i can promise you
that iowa grows and breeds the best of the best.
breakfast: my favorite places
to get breakfast foods in des moines, as
well as my favorite dish from each place.
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| la mie bakery- la mie is a des moines neighborhood bakery and cafe. it's either conveniently or dangerously located by where i go to school. when i come here for breakfast, my favorite things to get are the french toast with strawberries and bananas or oatmeal. i've heard their egg dishes are great, but i don't eat eggs. it's incredibly busy, but a great place to come for breakfast on your day in des moines. |
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| smokey row- smokey is a coffee shop and cafe-type restaurant that's great at any time of the day. for breakfast, i like a cup of tea and the good morning bagel. when i come for lunch, i like most all of their salads, the row bagel or the chicken salad sandwich. smokey row also has amazing milkshakes. |
lunch/dinner
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| zombie burger- it's a horror themed burger joint that i guess you have to try when you visit des moines. it's not my favorite just because i don't particularly like heavy food, but it is good. they have a large menu with items like the east village of the damned, the zombie dog and all their salads are called soylent greens. |
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| miyabi 9- miyabi 9 has probably some of the best sushi and japanese food in the whole city. if you're looking for a place to have a really nice lunch or dinner on you day in des moines, try miyabi 9. |
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| luca- luca is one of the nicest restaurants in the city. it's a small italian restaurant with a small and carefully prepared menu. luca is a great place for a "fancy" dinner in des moines. |
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| tacopocalypse- tacopocalypse is an asian and mexican fusion restaurant with items like lemongrass pork tacos, bahn mi, a spicy tomato soup and last but not least sriracha ice cream. this another great place for lunch on your day in des moines. |
i hoped you enjoyed my little guide of what to see and eat during your day in des moines.
i also hope to see you someday in des moines so we can "exceed your already low exceptions".
with love,
gracie- a girl who's grown up in the des moines area
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