1. The Boots Made For Drinking At Oktoberfest
Drink out of a boot (or really big mug), eat German food and listen to live music for two days in late September? Yes, please.
2. Overeating At The State Fair
After feasting their eyes on refrigerated butter sculptures, the next move for fair-goers, of course, is to sit outside in the sweltering heat and eat their weight in fried foods. From fried cheese curds, to funnel cake, to foot-long meat products, to candy and Twinkies, overeating at the greatest state fair is a delicious tradition. Just don’t forget the freshly squeezed and shaken lemonade to wash it all down with.
3. The Cyclones…
CyclONE Nation, baby! Put on your cardinal and gold and get ready for some Hilton Magic (or another at-home victory at Jack Trice, depending on the sport). Because Iowa State is the best university in the world (is my bias showing?), the Cyclones have the best, most fun-to-watch teams in the world. Period. About 50 percent of the college sports fans in Des Moines will back me up on this.
4. … Or The Hawkeyes
The other 50 percent, of course, are Hawkeye fans. They will disagree with the first 50 percent and, depending on their level of diehard fanaticism, will also call me names. They will be wearing black and gold while cheering the Hawks on to victory at Kinnick Stadium (or Carver-Hawkeye Arena, depending on the sport), and will tell you that Des Moines is capital of the Hawkeye State.
5. Being Progressive And Conservative At The Same Time
The first Midwestern state to legalize gay marriage (the third overall, after Massachusetts and Connecticut), Iowa has also elected the same Republican governor, Terry Branstad, to office from 1983 to 1999 and from 2011 to the present. The people of Des Moines are at the heart of this truly purple state, and they love it.
6. Living In A Renovated Loft Downtown…
If you love great restaurants and nightlife, and think being able to walk to everything is so much better than having to drive, then living downtown is the life for you.
7. …Before Moving To The ‘Burbs
Let me guess; you’ve grown out of your cute loft with the great view, and want to go in the complete opposite direction. If that’s the case, then it’s time to move to one of the city’s suburbs. Make sure it has a big yard for all those cook outs and kid’s birthday parties, and don’t forget to get something not far from Target, Fareway, Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee, etc., but not too close. And what the hell, spring for the three-car garage.
8. Riding The Dragon
Finish your funnel cake and corn dog, tighten that fanny pack and get in line. It’s not as scary as it looks, I swear.
9. The Hypnotizing Foucault Pendulum At the Science Center
Sure, the Science Center of Iowa is a great place for kids of all ages, but adults love it too. And once you’re able to look away from the Foucault pendulum, check out the many exhibits and the IMAX.
10. The Millions (Almost) Of Local Brews
First, there was Court Avenue Brewing Company and Raccoon River Brewing Company. Then, suddenly, everywhere you look, is another local brewery with more great beer. Exile Brewing Company, Confluence Brewing Company, 515 Brewing Company, Number 7 Brewing Company, New American Brewing Company, and the list just keeps on growing, a trend the good people of Des Moines are happy to support.
11. Trying Creative Cuisine
Like any other city in the country, Des Moines plenty of chain restaurants. But it also has great local cuisine, and increasingly adventurous, creative dishes to try. Have you heard of crab rangoon pizza? Everyone in Des Moines has. How about a burger topped with peanut butter, fried bananas, bacon, cheese, an egg and mayo? Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you where to go to order that. And let’s not forget, these are the people who pioneered putting bacon in everything. You’re welcome.
12. Morel Hunting
When the weather warms up, it’s time to grab a plastic bag and head out to the country, because it’s Morel-picking time. Facebook feeds suddenly turn into photo galleries of these mushrooms, recipes are exchanged, and the favorite dish at mealtime for a night or two will be the one with morels in it.
13. Catching A Fly Ball At An I-Cubs Game
OK, so catching a fly ball doesn’t happen to everyone, but taking in an Iowa Cubs game at Principal Park is a favorite way to spend a warm afternoon or evening. Sit back, relax, and soak up the sights and sounds of summer.
14. Everything At The Farmer’s Market
Sure, you have to buy fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, rhubarb, corn, broccoli, spinach, carrots, and all the other beautiful produce available, and then there’s also eggs, cheese, pasture-raised beef, bread, cupcakes, fudge, preserves, flowers, wine, and, um, what’s that? You just bought everything on your list, plus 20 other things? Yeah, me too.
15. Getting Sunburned At 80/35
Des Moines sits at the intersection of Interstates 80 and 35, pretty much the perfect place for a multi-day music festival. So go buy a beer, hope the sunscreen you put on this morning lasts all day, and enjoy the Avett Brothers, Wu Tang Clan, the Roots and more.
16. Tattoos From LAZERfest
LAZERfest is where people from Des Moines and beyond come not just to rock out to rock and alternative metal bands, but to become a little rock n’ roll (and metal) themselves.
17. Cheering On the Buccaneers
What could be better than watching a great hockey team, drinking beer and screaming ‘til you’re hoarse? Um, nothing.
18. Eating At Maid-Rite
Loose meat sandwiches are an Iowa favorite, and Des Moines is the home of Maid-Rite, where steamed hamburger magic happens.
19. Knowing Someone Who Owns A Boat
From Gray’s Lake, to Saylorville Lake, and even down to Lake Red Rock, everyone loves to go boating during Iowa’s hot and humid summers. And, to go boating, it helps to have a friend who owns a boat. Preferably someone you actually like.
20. Rolling Their Eyes While Lining Up To Meet Presidential Candidates
Some Des Moines residents see the Iowa Caucuses as a time when they can’t get away from news about the latest group of presidential candidates, and every once in awhile their plans to visit a favorite local hangout are interrupted by a candidate and surrounding media attention. Others love the attention, showing up at town hall meetings, lining up at local restaurants where candidates are appearing, and standing in line to ask a question at a microphone in a local high school gymnasium.
21. The Cutting Edge Of Bacon Goodness
Iowa is the capital of all things pork (think pork tenderloins as big as your head, thick pork chops, every type of ham, etc.), and the foodies of Des Moines have taken it upon themselves to push limits and break boundaries with the crowning glory of all pork products: bacon. The rest of the country (and the world, and the universe) can tip their hats and thank Des Moines for expanding bacon’s horizons past the breakfast plate and into every dish, from hors d’oeuvres to desserts, and beyond.
22. Indie Flicks At The Fleur Cinema
The Fleur Cinema is where Des Moines comes to see great movies (OK, and some weird ones) that inexplicably aren’t available anywhere else. And while they’re enjoying the latest Wes Anderson flick or documentary about death and destruction in the ocean, movie-goers can enjoy everything from the usual popcorn and pop to beer, wine, coffee, desserts and more.
23. The Chance To Be Sommelier For A Day at Winefest
A food and wine workshop! A lawn party featuring local wineries, microbreweries and food! A wine and Gateway Market cuisine pairing! Champagne and appetizers! I could go on, but it’s pretty easy to see what everyone in Des Moines loves about Winefest.
What do you love about living in Des Moines? Tell us in the comments below!
