1. Downtown Might As Well Be Another Planet Nowadays
Des Moines is one of those cities doing a fabulous job gentrifying its downtown. 20 years ago, downtown was the place to go if you needed to visit the courthouse, the Civic Center or eat at one of a few restaurants. Today, great smells and sounds spill out from around every corner, festivals are scheduled year-round and rehabbed lofts are fetching high prices.
2. Forget Sharks Vs. Jets: It’s Hawks Vs. Cyclones (And UNI)
Here’s a little cheat sheet for you:
– Iowa State University: Cyclones, crimson and gold, called “Iowa State,” “ISU” or just “State.”
– University of Iowa: Hawkeyes (sometimes called “Hawks”), black and gold, called “Iowa” or “U of I.”
When a person is not wearing anything with either Cyclones or Hawkeyes insignia and the topic of sports comes up, that person will likely be asked if he is an Iowa State/Cyclones or Iowa/Hawks fan. This is the biggest rivalry in the history of the world, so don’t pick a side until you feel you can make an informed decision because you will be branded for life.
The other state university is the University of Northern Iowa, home of the Panthers, located in Cedar Falls to the north. If you don’t want to take part in the rivalry or if you look good in purple, just say you’re a UNI fan. And if you’re a Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, you should leave the state immediately.
3. But Never, Ever Forget About Hockey
The Des Moines Buccaneers hockey team has a rabid, intensely loyal and fan base, and the game wouldn’t be complete without a lot of yelling, a cold beer in your already cold hand, and becoming best friends with everyone sitting around you.
4. Fact: You’ll Probably End Up In The ‘Burbs
Most people who live in Des Moines don’t actually live in Des Moines, but rather in one of the city’s suburbs: Altoona, Ankeny, Beaverdale, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines or Windsor Heights.
5. Des Moines Is No Backwards Right-Wing Town
Iowa was the third state in the country and first state outside New England to legalize same-sex marriage, after Massachusetts and Connecticut. As the state capital Des Moines is out and proud, and the city’s Pridefest draws thousands every year in a celebration of expression and acceptance.
6. So You Can Thank These People For The Hope And Change
Want to meet the next president? Every four years, the Iowa Caucuses held all around the state signal the beginning of election season and candidates make appearances, kiss babies and show how they can hang out with regular folks, hoping to set themselves apart from the other candidates. So you can bet Des Moines plays a big part in choosing the next commander-in-chief.
7. You’ll Hear (All) About The Flood Of ‘93
Sooner or later you’ll probably hear comparisons between the current rainfall and The Flood of 1993, the costliest, most devastating flood in U.S. history.
“Oh, that’s nothing,” they’ll say.
“Back in 1993, the water was up to here,” and they’ll point at a spot near the roof of a building, the top of a bridge, or even several feet above a tall hill or cliff in the distance.
If you’re at that person’s home, he may even dig out a commemorative Flood of 1993 t-shirt to show you.
8. Jordan Creek Is The Place To Be
In 2003, the area west of West Des Moines was a patchwork of cornfields. Today it’s a developers’ dream and a top retail destination for many (but to others, a nightmare of urban sprawl). The new neighborhood is also home to the largest mall in the state (Jordan Creek Town Center), and surrounded by restaurants, office buildings and residential developments.
9. You Can Explore The Great Lakes (Well, They’re Great To Iowans)
Flickr user regan76
Gray’s and Saylorville, to be exact. Gray’s Lake is the perfect place for a scenic walk, picnic, or boat ride all in the downtown area. Saylorville Lake is technically a reservoir on the Des Moines River, located to the northwest. This is where locals head to hike, go camping, fishing or wildlife watching. Here you’ll see the Midwest in microcosm: Woodlands, wetlands and prairie habitats all in a 26,000-acre space.
10. Everyone Name Drops In Des Moines
Chances are you’ll meet someone in Des Moines whose best friend’s hairstylist’s cousin took a class at DMACC (more on that later) with that one kind of scary guy from Slipknot. That same person probably also knows someone whose co-worker was grade school friends with Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins from TLC, or used to hang out with the Nadas at People’s Bar & Grill back in the ‘90s.
11. It’s Basically The Food Capital Of The Country
Des Moines has seen a rise in foodie culture in recent years, which translates to sometimes creative, but usually delicious, cuisine. The most highly revered fare includes the Crab Rangoon pizza at Fong’s, a Walking Ched burger at Zombie Burger, pastries at La Mie, or the chicken saltimbocca at Centro. Yum.
12. Also The Drink Capital
Drinking establishments in most cities range from the classic dive bars to trendy lounges, but Des Moines does trendy dive bars like no one else. Travel back to the ‘70s at the High Life Lounge, take your pick of 120 beers on tap at El Bait Shop or peruse the scotch menu like a sir at Royal Mile.
13. Farmer’s Markets Are A Way Of Life
Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market Facebook
Iowa is known for agriculture, so it comes as no surprise the city’s farmers markets are pretty great. The Downtown Farmer’s Market runs from May through October with 300 vendors and an average of 20,000 shoppers each Saturday. A smaller version of the market also operates on Wednesdays during harvest season, and the Winter Market is open indoors for a weekend before Thanksgiving and also for a weekend in mid-December.
14. 80/35 Is Not A Fraction
It’s the coordinates for the best music festival ever. The annual event brings in top acts from Past lineups have included the Flaming Lips, the Roots, Matisyahu, Ben Harper, Modest Mouse, Spoon, Yo La Tengo, Of Montreal, the Avett Brothers, Wu Tang Clan and many more.
15. Better Homes & Gardens Loves Des Moines, Why Shouldn’t You?
What do Better Homes & Gardens, Family Circle and Parents magazines have in common? They all call Des Moines home. The city is proud of its printed media legacy, especially its Pulitzer Prize-winning Des Moines Register.
16. Adventureland Is Real
Adventureland Park Facebook
Sooner or later in Des Moines, someone will ask if you’ve ridden the Dragon. Don’t be confused – they’re not asking about drug use. The Dragon is the state’s only upside down double looping roller coaster, at the Adventureland theme park. It’s also not that scary, so don’t be a baby and just try it, okay?
Also, one unspoken rule about Adventureland is that you go on the Raging River before the Silly Silo, so you can spin dry. Duh.
17. RAGBRAI Is Basically The Biggest Thing Ever
Quite possibly the largest statewide party anywhere in the country, the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa is exactly what the name implies. The route across the state changes each year to give different towns a chance to be in on the fun. If you’re athletic, you can actually bike it, but if you’re not, you can drive along the route, drink all night and camp out in someone’s yard.
18. Unless It’s The State Fair
This fair is so much more than a butter cow and artery hardening bacon-wrapped goodness on a stick. Rides, contests like accordion playing, hog calling, even husband calling, about 200 food stands, winemaking, acrobats, lumberjack shows, a parade and more all await you. The fair even nabbed a place in the best-selling travel book “1000 Places to See Before You Die.”
19. Raygun Is Never Not Funny
Funny, location-specific t-shirts, paper goods and drinkware that are 100 percent American-made, make you look cool and make gift recipients double over laughing? Yes, please.
20. Living History Farms Are Educational…And Delicious
There are three ways to enjoy LHF. First, as an interactive outdoor history museum with an Ioway Indian Farm from 1700 and an 1875 frontier town. Second, you can eat your heart out at the Iowa Machine Shed restaurant and leave in a happy, syrupy food coma. Third, you can run (in costume, if you like) the Living History Farms Race, a seven mile, obstacle-filled, cross country event. Whatever you do, it’s all awesome.
Tip: the breakfast buffet looks even better when you’re freezing and covered in mud.
21. Sleepy Hollow Isn’t Creepy Here, It’s Awesome
Iowa gets a lot of snow in the winter, so you should make the best of it and head to Sleepy Hollow Sports Park to go snow tubing like all the locals in the know. You don’t even have to walk back up the hill!
