We recently had the pleasure of attending the Iowa State Fair and visiting Des Moines for the weekend. My sister and her family and my parents live in Des Moines, so we frequent the city often. It’s a quick three-hour drive from our home in suburban Kansas City, so it’s definitely doable to make a trip for the weekend.
Des Moines is a fantastic destination for dining, entertainment, and enjoying the Iowa State Fair. It’s an emerging and authentic city that is easy to navigate, easy to get from place to place, and is the home to kind people. My husband and I went to college and met in Iowa, so we have a special place in our hearts for the state. Here’s a little recap of all that we did over the weekend, including other things to do in Des Moines when you visit!
*This post is sponsored by Travel Iowa. All opinions, photos, and writing are my own.*
Friday Night in Des Moines
Big Grove Brewery
We drove up to Des Moines on Friday (late) afternoon. It really takes just three hours from Kansas City. I’ve made this drive so many times, I could probably do it in my sleep! The first place we wanted to stop was Big Grove Brewery. There is a Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City which we’ve been to, but the location in Des Moines just opened recently. It’s huge! Lots of seating inside and out.
We shared two appetizers and a few small pours of beer. It’s definitely a spot we will be going back to when we visit!
Fong’s Pizza
Fong’s Pizza is a favorite of ours because of the quaint space, the uniqueness of the menu, and the delicious flavor of the Crab Rangoon Pizza. It’s what they are known for. They also serve sandwiches, salads, and appetizers. Bring the whole family for something different and unique!
You can also request to take a shot with fighter pilot helmets on. We’ve done it before and had to again! Steve has introduced many people to this spot and everyone loves it.
Ice Cream and Murals
After Fong’s Pizza, we drove around and looked at some of the painted murals downtown. Downtown Des Moines is very easy to manage. The kids wanted ice cream, so we landed on Dairy Zone, which is just a few miles outside of the downtown area. It’s local to Des Moines and they have a drive thru and outdoor seating.
Saturday in Des Moines
Downtown Farmer’s Market
We stayed at a hotel downtown (see below), so we were very close to the Downtown Farmer’s Market. My parents love to go to this and talk about it often so we were excited to check it out for ourselves. This event takes place every Saturday from May – October, from 7am-noon (8am-noon in October). The Farmer’s market is absolutely huge! There is something for everyone. The streets are blocked off and there are so many vendors, fresh foods being prepared, people bring their dogs, and the atmosphere is just fun and bustling. Highly recommend! The weather happened to be gorgeous when we were there, so it was an overall success. We found street parking but there are also parking garages where you can pay to park.
Iowa State Fair
Next up, it was time for the main attraction, the Iowa State Fair. My parents and sister have been going to this for many years, and my kids and I just went for the first time last summer. We loved it and were so excited to go back! The Iowa State Fair runs every summer for 11 days in August. This year it runs from August 11-21 in Des Moines, Iowa. It is the single largest event in the state of Iowa, attracting more than a million people each year. The state fair celebrates agriculture, industry, entertainment. Let’s not forget about the food, livestock shows, contests, thrill rides, concerts, and rich history of the fair. It’s a venue where families continue to go back year after year to discover new things and establish traditions!
The Iowa State Fair has been happening since 1854! Over the course of the 11 days of the fair, around 500 exhibitors and concessions are open. Midwest Living magazine declared the fair as one of the “Top 30 Things Every Midwesterner Should Experience.”
Fair Food + Craft Beer Tent
Every year the fair advertises new foods to try. You can also find vendor after vendor selling all the classics. One of the most fun parts of attending the fair is eating and drinking your way through it!
We are craft beer lovers, so of course we had to make a stop at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent. Here you can find a variety of beers from the great state of Iowa on tap. They offer regular pours or tasters. There is music and picnic tables and the atmosphere is festive.
Thrill Rides + Games
Our teenagers are at the age where they still want to play games and ride rides. Even mom and dad got in on the action! You can load credits onto a credit card-style card at several kiosks surrounding the rides and games. There is also an area with rides for younger kids on the opposite side of the fairgrounds.
Our daughter won a giant corndog playing skee ball. We named him Doug – ha! It won’t take long for him to move to the donate pile, but the novelty is still fun.
There is a giant slide that kids and adults can ride down. It’s only $3 to take a turn riding down on a burlap mat. Everyone who came down on the slide had a huge smile on their face. Definitely something to do at the fair!
Parking + Admission
You can purchase Iowa State Fair tickets online in advance or on site when you arrive. The Iowa State Fair website has all the information you will need regarding schedules, what’s new, entertainment, etc.
There are a lot of parking choices around the state fairgrounds. People will be selling parking spots in their driveways and surrounding areas. We parked in a huge lot just outside the fairgrounds. Parking will cost around $10-20, so be prepared with cash.
Other Things to Consider About the Iowa State Fair
- The fair gets busy. Get there early. Despite the sheer number of people at the fair (we were there on the first Saturday), we never really waited in a line. There are so many food vendors to choose from!
- We found clean bathrooms inside buildings easily and we never waited in a line for the bathroom! This is such a huge thing in my opinion.
- It’s August in Iowa, so it’s HOT! There are places to explore inside with air conditioning, which is so helpful.
- You pay an admission to get into the fair. Many of the attractions and shows are free. You will need to pay extra for concerts, food/drink, rides/games.
- You will be walking a lot. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your sunscreen!
Take a ride above the fairgrounds!
The famous “butter cow”!
So many animals to look at…sheep, cow, pigs, horses, etc! We even watched a sheep shearing contest!
Sunday Morning in Des Moines
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
We were up early, so we stopped by the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. It’s located downtown and features large scale artwork from over two dozen artists. This is a fun way to unwind and take in some culture. It’s free and walkable.
Drake Diner for Breakfast
Before heading out of town, we ate breakfast at the Drake Diner. I’ve heard my parents and sister talk about this Des Moines staple, but this was our first time trying it. Around since 1987, this diner-style restaurant is right around the corner from Drake University. The atmosphere is quaint and they serve breakfast all day long! So fun, and delicious!
Where We Stayed in Des Moines
We stayed at the Hilton Downtown Des Moines. It is located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, where everything is within walking distance or a short driving distance. The parking lot at this hotel is very small, so we had to park in a parking garage and walk across a skyway that is connected to the hotel. We had a very spacious room and enjoyed our accommodations.
Other Highlights in Des Moines
There is so much to do and see in the city of Des Moines, IA! I feel like Des Moines always surprises people in such a good way. It’s a progressive city with a small town feel, so you get the best of both worlds. We highly encourage you to plan a trip to the Iowa State Fair + Des Moines! It really is a family friendly destination with many things to see and do!
