Get Your Drink On In Greater Des Moines

In Greater Des Moines, your group will find a great variety of bars, breweries, dance clubs, live music, hot spots and restaurants. So, raise your glass and let the fun begin!

Day 1
The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, set on 4.4 acres in the heart of Downtown Des Moines, features 27 works of art donated to the museum by John and Mary Pappajohn from their renowned collection of contemporary sculptures. John and Mary Pappajohn are known worldwide and ARTnews magazine listed them as one of the top 200 art collectors in the world. The 27 sculptures are the largest single public gift in Des Moines' history and the largest public gift of art in Iowa history. Guided tours are available through the Des Moines Art Center at (515) 277-4405.

Embrace your artistic side at the Des Moines Art Center. Tours are available in the gallery. Contact (515) 277-4405 for more information.

For lunch, visit Dos Rios Cantina and Tequila Lounge in Court District. Executive Chef Julio Gamboa has succeeded in taking traditional, Guadalajaran recipes and giving them a unique, contemporary twist. Make sure to enjoy the tableside-prepared guacamole while sipping on refreshing cocktails.

After lunch, stop into Sbrocco Wine Bar and Wine Shop, just a block away. The restaurant and bar serves 42 wines by the glass and their wine shop offers an additional 1,000 wines! Take advantage of their professional connoisseurs with a group wine class.

Next, head to an estate-style winery in the heart of the Metro! Jasper Winery is located minutes away from Downtown Des Moines. This winery produces high quality wines using varieties from the Midwest. Contact (515) 282-9463 for more information.

Your next two stops may require some appetizers because not only do the following two places brew their own beer, but they make some award winning food as well. Visit Court Avenue Brewing Company and Raccoon River Brewing Company.

Next, stop into El Bait Shop which offers more than over 300 beer choices! Check out the famous Beer Genius, an electronic guide that replaces paper menus with a touch screen computer.

For dinner, take a step back in time at the High Life Lounge, a 60s-style corner tap adorned with shag carpet, vintage wallpaper and wood paneling. If you’re not sipping a Miller High Life, you’ll still enjoy one of its vintage contemporaries such as Grain Belt, Pabst Blue Ribbon or original recipe Schlitz. Like the beer, the food remains true to the era. Deviled eggs, Spam and egg sandwiches and mom’s pot roast are all favorites. The most popular item on the menu is the $3.75 cheeseburger basket.

Depending on the time of year you visit, the High Life Lounge is the perfect place before and after an Iowa Cubs baseball game - just one block away!

Otherwise, keep up the momentum by making a stop at the Hessen Haus. The Hessen Haus perfectly recreates the authentic atmosphere of an old-world German bier hall. The establishment is famous for their “Passing of the Boot” – a drinking game centered around a glass boot filled with two liters of your favorite tap bier.

Make sure to check out some of Des Moines’ other downtown bars, including The Gas Lamp, Johnny’s Hall of Fame, Royal Mile or Shorty’s.

Day 2
After breakfast at your hotel, head to Summerset Winery where French hybrids and American varieties make up the vineyard. 

Back in Des Moines, West End Architectural Salvage is a fantastic place to hold a wine reception, scavenger hunt and lunch. A diverse variety of salvaged items is something you have to see to believe. Contact Owner Don Short at (515) 243-0499 to discuss your options.

If you’re traveling November to March, Brenton Skating Plaza is a great place to show off your ice skating moves! Skate in the open air, amid the snowflakes and under the stars. Contact Brenda McClelland at (515) 284-1000.

Further west sits Dale Valley Vineyard and Winery, a unique winery located in a one-room school house. Enjoy a wine tasting while hearing the history of the area. Contact (515) 523-2198 for more information.

After freshening up at your hotel, head to West Glen Town Center. There you will find an array of hip bars and restaurants, including Gino’s West Glen. Have a fabulous evening of dinner and entertainment in the West Des Moines neighborhood.

Day 3
This morning, visit Schade Creek Vineyard and Winery. Learn about the wine making process and how a local entrepreneur started this popular vineyard. Call (515) 987-6695 for more information.

Before ending your journey, head to Seven Oaks Recreation. Seven Oaks offers year-round outdoor recreation. You will find snow skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing in the winter and full-service canoeing, kayaking, tube floats, paint ball, tent camping, mountain bike trails in the summer. They even have an adult lounge.

Click here to download a PDF of this itinerary.

For more information, contact:
Katie Stien
Sales Manager
Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau
(515) 699-3432
kstien@desmoinescvb.com