ST Howard Development - About Des Moines

Here are many links which provide information about downtown Des Moines:

There are a number of festivals that have become annual traditions in downtown Des Moines, including:

Des Moines Arts Festival – rated one of the top 5 arts festivals in the country every year. Usually held the last weekend in June.
Taste of Des Moines – Annual event, usually in July, that features the epicurean delights of local restaurants while bands play.
World Food Festival – Held every October in the East Village, and features foods from around the world.
Guideone Imagineve – An event held every new year’s eve that caters to the family.

Below are attractions that give downtown Des Moines its unique character and the feel of urban living.

Historic East Village – eclectic blend of shops and restaurants. Stroll up and down E. Locust from E. 3 rd to E. 7th, and E. 4th, E. 5th, and E. 6th between Grand and Walnut. Visit their website to print off a map of the various retail, restaurants and other businesses in the East Village. On Friday’s during the summer months, catch the street market on Locust and listen to the music played on the terrace of the State of Iowa Historical Museum (E. 6th & Locust). Also, stroll up to Capitol West Terraces on the west side of the Iowa State Capitol building.

Court Avenue District – Patron the many restaurants and bars that exist along Court Avenue between 2nd and 5th avenue.

Downtown Farmers Market – held every Saturday from May until October in the Court Ave. district.

Principal Riverwalk – Once construction is completed this will be one of the jewels of downtown Des Moines. It’s a 1.2 mile loop along the Des Moines River, stretching from Center Street to the north down to the “Red Bridge” to the south.

Meredith Trail – 1.9 mile trail that connects the Principal Riverwalk to Grays Lake.

Science Center of Iowa – Catch a thrilling movie at the new IMAX theatre, or be enlightened by science and tour the museum.

Civic Center of Greater Des Moines – Catch a Broadway show at the Civc Center, or a non-Broadway in the Stoner Theatre.

Des Moines Central Library – Visit the architecturally renowned new central library.

Iowa Cubs at Principal Park – Watch the Chicago Cubs’ AAA minor league baseball team from April to September.

Iowa Stars at Wells Fargo Arena – Take in a professional hockey game in the new Wells Fargo Arena. The Iowa Stars are the farm team for the NHL’s Dallas Stars.

Iowa Hall of Pride – Located at the Iowa Events Center, which also has Hy-Vee Hall and the Wells Fargo Arena. The Iowa Hall of Pride is interactive and features many of the past stars in Iowa sports.
Des Moines Botanical Center (desmoinesbotanicalcenter.com) – Stroll through this beautiful indoor maze of trees, plants and gardens on the north side of downtown.

Des Moines Arts Center – tour the downtown branch of the Des Moines Arts Center located in the Wells Fargo Financial Building at 800 Walnut St.

Pappajohn Education Center– Further your education and take a class at one of the many colleges and schools offering classes at the Pappajohn Center.

State of Iowa Historical Museum – Located in the East Village, tour Iowa’s history.

Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater – Located on the Des Moines River, in the East Village and on the Principal Riverwalk, features many events throughout the summer.