Its residents would argue that West Des Moines is the best Des Moines, but there’s no arguing that it’s one of the premier shopping and entertainment destinations in the state. From the epic Jordan Creek Town Center and charming Historic Valley Junction neighborhood to fan favorites like Topgolf and Smash Park, there’s nothing boring about this bustling burb! Greater Des Moines has something for everyone and is filled with communities worth shouting about!
Food and Drink
West Des Moines is a melting pot of different cuisines and flavors, from your favorite upscale chain restaurants to hidden gem local eateries. Start your day with brunch at Eggs and Jam, where you can get French toast with a side of ‘90s hip-hop, from the murals to breakfast beverages like the Royal Ice-T. The Jordan Creek Town Center area is not only a shopping mecca but also home to just about every restaurant you’ve heard of (and tons that you haven’t). You’ve got Giordano’s for a taste of Chicago pizza, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Flemings, and Prime and Providence for big city steakhouse vibes, and Hana Ramen Sushi for some of the best Japanese cuisine around. Historic Valley Junction is another must-visit shopping destination where the restaurants have charming local feel befitting of the neighborhood. It’s here where you’ll find Cooper’s on 5th, an upscale comfort food staple, along with the likes of St. Kilda Collective (get the avocado toast), Bix & Co (get the pizza), and one of the coolest cocktail bars in town, Winchester Public House. Nearby, The Hall also offers a unique, German bier hall-style atmosphere and a menu that is divided into five different types of food – finger food, German fare, burgers, pizza, and handhelds. The menu of places to try is bigger than the menu at Cheesecake Factory (there’s also one of those here), but a few other notable mentions are Mi Patria, whose Ecuadorian eats were featured on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” Gilroy’s for their great patio, and Waterfront Seafood Market for fresh seafood flown in daily. Whatever your taste, West Des Moines has something to whet your appetite!
Arts and Culture
West Des Moines is filled with history, culture, and places to rock out. The Jordan House Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the oldest structures in Polk County. Built by James C. Jordan in 1850, it was part of the Underground Railroad and now offers tours where visitors can learn more about its rich history and impact on Central Iowa. Speaking of historic landmarks, the Val Air Ballroom opened in 1918 as an open-air dance hall, and now the 2,500-seat venue is host to some of the hottest concerts in town. Recently renovated, it has seen everyone from Frank Sinatra to Snoop Dogg grace its stage. For artistic inspiration of the visual kind, check out all of the different public art throughout West Des Moines, including a playground sensory wall at Raccoon River Park. Historic Valley Junction is home to three different galleries, including Kavanaugh Art Gallery,Olsen-Larsen Galleries, and Kunzler Studios and Gallery, where you have the option of buying art from others or creating your own masterpiece! And for the little ones, there’s the Des Moines Children’s Museum, located inside the Valley West Mall and featuring weekly events like craft labs and messy play sensory time with slime and play-doh.
Parks and Outdoors
Although retail therapy is West Des Moines’ calling card, there’s plenty of chances to find your inner peace outdoors as well. Racoon River Park offers a nature lodge and an access point for the ICON Water Trails, where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards. Walnut Woods is home to Iowa’s largest strand of black walnut trees and two miles of hiking trails, while Brown’s Woods Trail is an urban oasis for hikers, with a 3.2-mile loop through wooded forest, rolling hills, and small streams. For golfers, there’s Willow Creek Golf Course, with three unique courses totaling 27 holes that’s ideal for golfers of all levels. If you want to pair your outdoor hangs with a beverage or appetizer, you can also find two of the largest patios in the state here. Smash Park has plenty of ways to play, drink, and eat, with a patio that includes areas for pickleball, shuffleboard, bocce ball, cornhole, and yard games. And Paws and Pints has an epic dog park for your four-legged companions, complete with a doggy jungle gym, music stage, interactive water features, and a bar for those thirsty friends with two legs. If it’s raining at either place, both have plenty of TVs, food, and games on the inside as well.
Festivals and Events
While its downtown cousin gets a lot of publicity, the Valley Junction Farmers Market is certifiably fresh in its own right. On Thursday evenings (4 – 8 p.m.) From May through September, 5th Street turns into a cornucopia of fresh produce, live music, and cute pups. From one Valley Junctional seasonal favorite to the next, Jingle in the Junction turns the neighborhood into a Winter Wonderland straight out of a Hallmark movie. Every Thursday evening starting in middle of November, enjoy extended store hours, horse-drawn trolley rides, ice carvings, and of course, Santa himself. Since starting in 2021, the Raccoon River Palooza has become a highly anticipated summer tradition, bringing live music, food trucks, beverages tents, inflatables, and the highlight, cardboard boat races with vessels crafted by locals where zany is the name of the game. If you have a kid that plays youth sports, you’ve likely been to the state-of-the-art MidAmerican Energy Company Recplex, which plays host to everything from soccer and volleyball to hockey and basketball. There are no shortages of youth tournaments happening, but it also offers drop-in schedules for things like public skating, esports, pickleball, basketball, and more.
Attractions and Things to Do
Shop til you drop in West Des Moines. Be warned, you’re gonna need a few days and a lot of trunk space. Start at Jordan Creek Town Center, Iowa’s biggest and best shopping destination featuring a two-level mall with more than 100 national retailers, including Apple, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, H&M, and Lululemon, along with department stores like Von Maur, Scheels, and Dillard’s. Nearby you’ll find even more shopping, with Costco, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and REI along with the West Glen Town Center. If boutique shopping is more your bag, you’ll want to explore 5th Street in Historic Valley Junction. This walkable, appealing neighborhood is filled with antique stores, art galleries, cute clothing boutiques, and home goods stores, with plenty of hidden gem bars and restaurants along the way to refuel at. Not only is West Des Moines the shopping epicenter of the metro, but it’s also the gaming headquarters as well. Tee off at Topgolf, with more than 70 all-weather golf bays and attached bar and restaurant. If you prefer your golf to be a little more miniature, Putts & Pins has tech-infused mini golf and duckpin bowling with ‘80s themed neon décor. Spare Time has a game zone with 75 arcade games, laser tag, luxury bowling, and two different themed escape rooms.
Des Best of West Des Moines
