Looking for the best coffee shops in Des Moines? Here are my top 5 in the metro, and I said what I said. Northern Vessel has my favorite cold brew latte, Mars Cafe is the top spot to run into someone you know, and Daisy Chain is the best quality brew. Horizon Line serves everything in reusable jars to go, and Scenic Route Bakery is a good spot for meeting, with great pastries. Which one did I miss?

It's where my family and I enjoy spending a few September Saturdays, and it's become a favorite fall thing to do in central Iowa. We picked our own apples, hit the jumping pillow, played in the corn pile, tried the corn maze and zipline, and finished with apple cider donuts. Then we turned those apples into an easy apple dump cake. A great fall day trip from West Des Moines, Waukee, or Clive.

My own fall date-night list needed new material, so here are four spots worth trying in West Des Moines and Clive: Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster, Tom Archer's Poor Man's Country Club, Aura Restaurant & Lounge, and Prime & Providence. Then it's your turn. Pick one, take your person, and tell me about it. A good date-night spot isn't really about the restaurant. It's about loving the town you live in.

Pumpkins. Coffee. Trails. Dinner. Fall in West Des Moines hits different, and we've mapped out how we like to spend it so you don't have to. From Valley Junction lattes and cat cuddles at Coffee Cats Cafe to a shaded walk through Walnut Woods, a family trip to Howell's Pumpkin Patch, and a pint at Barn Town Brewing, here are the places that make West Des Moines feel like fall.

Planning a day at the 2026 Iowa State Fair? Here's a rundown of the attractions worth planning around, from the butter cow and barnyard yoga to the free concert stage, plus the new foods and foods on a stick that caught our eye, free shuttle pickup spots, fair hours, and a few tips to make the day easier for the whole family.

This year is America's 250th birthday! Here's where to catch Fourth of July fireworks around the Des Moines metro, from Urbandale, Waukee, and West Des Moines to Altoona, Norwalk, and Ames. Get show times, locations, and the parades, concerts, and festivals to pair them with, plus a few smaller, easy-parking options if you want to skip the biggest crowds.

Looking for a splash pad or park this weekend? This Des Moines area family guide covers splash pads, spray grounds (most are free) and top parks with inclusive playgrounds. Be sure to read through the quick reference chart and included tips for a great visit. Always confirm hours before you go. A community resource from Steven Bunting, REALTOR®.

This spring, families across West Des Moines, Clive, and Urbandale have several Easter egg hunt options. From a self-guided storybook journey at WDM Community Church to a glow-in-the-dark hunt at the Children's Museum, a Hy-Vee scramble in Clive, and Living History Farms' annual tradition in Urbandale. Here's a quick rundown of who's hosting what.

A veteran-owned, small-batch ice cream shop in West Des Moines has become our family's favorite spot. Premium ice cream, all-natural ingredients, and new flavors every single day. Here's what we're ordering.

My fantastic experience at The Ingersoll Dinner Theatre!

A roundup of my top picks of events, foods and exhibits for the 2024 fair themed: “Fair Fever”

My family's trip to Howell's Pumpkin Patch!

My picks for food, events and exhibits for this years Iowa State Fair.

Fun events around Des Moines in August 2023.

Fun events happening in Des Moines and central Iowa in July 2023.

Fireworks around Des Moines and central Iowa.