Des Moines truly is a four seasons city. But can I just say, it really shines in summer? The perfect summer day in Des Moines can include so many different things but we’ve rounded up a few options in case you need a girls day itinerary or even just some suggestions for when your mom comes to town. Mix and match with the categories below for a close to perfect day in Des Moines.

Written by Sidney Pezley, DSMG Contributor

Brunch

How could we not start here? Whether you’re a light bruncher (read: literally just coffee) or you need something heartier to kick-off your day, Des Moines definitely has what you need. And so we’re all on the same page, each has excellent coffee AND mimosa options. 

  • Little Brother
    • RC’s Diner is now “Little Brother”, as in little brother to Harbinger. Yep, owned by the same peeps! They absolutely crush the breakfast game and we love the location in Windsor Heights! Try the latkes, corned beef hash, chicken fried portbello, or several “benny” options.
  • Americana 
    • Americana’s “Bottomless Bombshell Brunch” is the perfect way to start your day in true darty fashion. You can eat and drink to your heart’s desire in a fun, lively, and packed setting that’s perfect for a birthday party, celebrating a promotion, or just because you’ve missed being around people.
  • St. Kilda Collective 
    • We love the open floorplan and lighting in this special place in the East Village. It’s a great place to bring out-of-towners who want to see the cool side of Des Moines! Plus, you can go shopping in Valley Junction after!
  • Our Favorite Coffee Shops in Des Moines Right Now
    • Check this out for the coffee shops hat we daydream about.
our full list of brunch favs

Outdoor

Iowa’s summers can get a little….toasty. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t great outdoor options to enjoy the cooler morning and evening activities! In fact, there’s so much to do here in Des Moines that narrowing the list down to just a few things was almost impossible. 

  • Yoga
    • Check out our weekend guides for all of the latest outdoor yoga classes. Multiple yoga classes happen every weekend that are free and open to the public. Upcoming weekend guides are posted on Thursdays.
  • Rent a boat or go paddleboarding at Raccoon River Park, Gray’s Lake,Easter Lake, and Saylorville Lake 
    • We love to go sunset paddleboarding with Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga. Located on Easter Lake on the south side, SUP uses specialized yoga paddleboards for a new challenge to your practice and connects you with nature, all leading to a sweet floating savasana. Not ready to try SUP Yoga? More interested in just paddling around? Choose their intro long class for the paddling basics and a leisurely paddle around the lake. It’s a great way to use $20!
  • Bikes + Brews: A Perfect Des Moines Brewery Tour on Two Wheels
    • Check out this bike and brewery route through Downtown Des Moines that’s easy enough for all levels of bikers to participate in. In an afternoon, you can hit five of the best local breweries in our cute little city! This is a must read for newcomers to Des Moines.
  • Mini Golf at Jester Park
    • While you’re there, check out the buffalo and the elk!
  • Botanical Garden
    • The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a vibrant, 12-acre public garden in the heart of downtown Des Moines, providing an enduring guest experience through progressive design, innovative programming, and dynamic exhibits. There are indoor and outdoor gardens.

Indoor

We get it, it’s hot. Stay inside and have some fun! 

  • Candle Bar DSM
    • This BYOB indoor activity is perfect for a rainy afternoon or a too-hot day. Think Glazed Expressions, but with candles. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended for any size group and are REQUIRED for groups 4+. We suggest calling for reservations no matter the size of your group on Saturdays & Sundays so we can guarantee you a seat at the bar.
  • Aura Readings at KIN 
    • If you’ve ever wondered about your aura and the energy in your auric field, having it captured on film is a special, unique experience. In a ten-minute session, this special camera will capture your aura on film, and you’ll also leave with a printed reading of your aura, a keepsake folder, and a description of what the different aura colors mean. Kindred Auras is located inside KIN DSM in the East Village! This is a perfect, memorable group activity to beat the heat.
  • Mainframe Studios 
    • This colorful building off of Keo Way near downtown hosts amazing artists, vendors, and makers from the community for a wide variety of services. Enjoy First Friday open studio festivities, artist-led workshops, public gatherings and more. We include First Fridays in our weekend guides!
  • Des Moines Art Center 
    • The Art Center is not only nestled in one of our favorite neighborhoods of Des Moines, but it’s one of the things that gives Des Moines a bigger city bite. We love to spend time in and around the Art Center. This modern and contemporary art museum is located at 4700 Grand Avenue. Free parking is available on site and make sure to walk through the Rose Gardens behind the museum before you leave.
  • Classes At Art Terrarium 
    • If you haven’t visited this urban oasis yet, here is your sign. Opened in May 2017, Art Terrarium offers plants and art of all kinds, perfect for adding a bit of color to any space. They offer monthly classes of plant-related activities. Read all about how Art Terrarium got started and the humans that created it in it’s “Behind The Biz” article.

Dinner

Mulberry Street Tavern inside the Surety Hotel

You’ve been exploring the city and trying out a few new hobbies, you’ve worked up an appetite just in time for dinner. We’ve got some great suggestions of some places to try out that all happen to have stellar patios, golden hour hits different when you’re on a patio with great company and even better food. 

Drinks 

Source: The Hall DSM, Facebook

After dinner drinks are a must during the summer. Fortunately, Des Moines has lots of options in location and kinds of drinks – alcoholic and nonalcoholic. The even better news? Most of them have patios. Cheers! 

There’s so much to do in Des Moines, this list (while pretty stellar) only barely scratches the surface. Each weekend is jam packed with festivals, concerts, classes, comedy, you name it – we got it. Whether you’re looking to host a bachelorette party, your parents for a day-date or a stay-cation with your partner, Des Moines has it all and that’s just one of the MANY reasons we love this city. 😍 Tell us how you made your perfect summer day in Des Moines. 

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