Des Moines bucket list

I had a good friend ask me what there is to do in Des Moines, the answer . . . everything! While that may seem like an exaggeration, there really is lots to do, so here's a list comprised of the things I've done this summer! 

#1: Iowa Cubs game at Principals Park

#2: Zombie Burger + Drink Lab

#3: West Glen bar scene

• Shotgun Betty's — country bar, spent a couple nights tearing it up on the dance floor!
• Wellman's — great patio, not so great food with the exception of the chicken quesdilla
• Saint's — neat patio

#4: Downtown bar scene

• El Bait Shop — largest selection of beer on tap. Added bonus of being close to principal park. 
• Beer Can Alley — another great country bar. Has an awesome back patio, which is must better suited for dancing. 
• The Exchange — a unique set-up where the price of drinks fluctuates based on popularity like the stock exchange. 
• Micky's Irish Pub — I can only speak for the patio, but it was fun. 

#5: Ledges State Park

#6: ZooBrew

#7: Tasty Taco

#8: AnkenyFest

#9: Downtown Farmers Market

#10: Drive-in theater — Newton, Iowa

#11: Walnut Woods State Park

#12: World Pork Expo

#13: The art festival

#14: Fongs — complete with Kamikaze shots

#15: Cemetery in middle of a round-about

#16: Timberwood campground

#17: Mini-golfing

#18: Yankee doodle pops

#19: Dog Park

#20: High Trestle Trail bridge

#21: Go-kart racing

#22: Jordan Creek mall

#23: Gray's Lake

#24: Bike trails

#25: Swimming

#26: Concert in Wells Fargo arena - Alice Cooper/Motley Crue

#27: Third Thursday's — After work bonding with my co-workers

• Draught House 1908 — Not only is the location ideal (quarter mile away from the office) but the food and the patio are fantastic here!
• ChickenCoop — food was decent, beer selection was just o.k.
• Jethro's — on top of having fabulous barbecue, and a back quasi-patio patio, they also have a very unique drink selection and possibly the best nachos! 
• OverTime — you can count on a decent selection of Iowa beers here
• Cattoor's on Grand — a must see dive bar. Good for karaoke and pool with friends. 

#28: DMACC pond — complete with a fountain! Good for fishing, I wouldn't recommend swimming. 

#29: Breweries 

• Firetrucker Brewery
• Rock Bottom Brewery

#30: Plaza Mexico — Awesome Mexican food, good margaritas, and the best FREE dessert!

There it is folks! Hopefully I haven't forgotten anything, but if have look for it in a later post! Des Moines is any young professionals dream! It's a big city, no denying that, but it feels small, and there is always something to go do!