This post is sponsored by Greater Des Moines Partnership.
When someone asks, “What do you love about living in Des Moines?” I bet one of the first things you do is run through a mental list of local businesses: the boutique where you always do your holiday shopping, the sweet ice cream shop your family stops at after a bike ride, the local brewery where you gather with friends every Friday after work.
Local businesses aren’t just “in” our community—they ARE our community! These are the places that give Downtown Des Moines (DSM) its unique character, making it a great place to live and visit. We can’t simply say “Shop Local!”. We must take the time and spend the money to support local businesses with our presence and our dollars.
Here are a few ways to keep your cash close to home this holiday season by shopping, dining, and playing in Downtown Des Moines:
Shop
Knock out your holiday shopping at several Downtown DSM businesses. Find unique stationery, gifts, and home décor at newly opened Copy + Paste. Have an athlete on your list? Fleet Feet has shoes, apparel, and accessories for all types of runners and Subsect can outfit your favorite skateboarder with all the equipment and gear that they’ll need. For the foodie on your list, Kitchen Collage has everything needed to prepare simple to gourmet meals. Bibliophiles will love a best seller from Storyhouse Bookpub and don’t forget your fur babies with a treat from Jett & Monkey’s.
Dine
Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch while shopping, a dinner out or just a drink, Downtown Des Moines has tons of food and beverage options. Open for lunch and dinner, Fresko features fresh seasonal farm-to-table cuisine including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. And, if you need to take something to a holiday get-together, but don’t want to cook, check out Baratta’s Family Carryout Specials.
Play
Tis the season for entertainment, whether it’s out-of-town guests or keeping the kids busy over the holiday break, Downtown DSM is a hub of activity. JouJou Des Moines, a Montessori play space is great for keeping the littles active. Check out “Dome After Dark” at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden on Friday evenings, now through the end of March. Take in a performance hosted by Des Moines Performing Arts or cheer on the Iowa Wild or Iowa Wolves at the Iowa Events Center’s Wells Fargo Arena.
Stay
If you’re in need of a quick getaway, whether it’s a staycation or you’re visiting from out of town, Downtown Des Moines is an ideal location to enjoy a holiday weekend. The Renaissance Savery Hotel, Staybridge Suites Des Moines Downtown and Hilton Des Moines Downtown are all hip but family-friendly Downtown hotels that are ideal for exploring all that the metro has to offer.
We want to know…. what’s your favorite local places to shop, eat, stay or visit in Downtown Des Moines?
Make it one epic winter in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) by exploring, experiencing and enjoying what Downtown DSM has to offer. Plan your visit to Downtown DSM with these tips for parking and navigation.
