Entertainment Districts in Des Moines

Court Avenue is Des Moines's most historic entertainment district — a downtown strip where outstanding bars, restaurants, and the Iowa Events Center create the most concentrated entertainment experience in Iowa. Des Moines's extraordinary growth as a financial and insurance hub and Court Avenue's role as the city's primary adult entertainment destination create a district of genuine Iowa urban character.

Court Avenue presents Des Moines's most concentrated bar and nightclub district in restored historic warehouse buildings downtown.

East Village is Des Moines's most vibrant entertainment neighborhood — a Statehouse-adjacent district where outstanding restaurants, excellent bars, and Iowa's most progressive community gather in a beautifully revitalized historic commercial area. Des Moines's remarkable downtown renaissance (frequently cited as one of America's most impressive mid-size city revitalizations) and East Village's extraordinary independent business concentration create an entertainment district of genuine Iowa community significance.

East Village is Des Moines's most vibrant entertainment neighborhood — a neighborhood of 19th-century commercial buildings between the Iowa State Capitol and the Des Moines River housing the city's finest independent restaurants, craft cocktail bars, and boutiques. The neighborhood's extraordinary recovery from urban disinvestment to one of the Midwest's most appealing entertainment districts represents Des Moines at its most ambitious and successful.

East Village presents boutiques and restaurants in a walkable historic district along the Des Moines River near the Iowa State Capitol.

Gray's Lake Park presents a popular urban lake with trails and event space just south of downtown Des Moines.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden presents a geodesic dome conservatory and event space along the Des Moines River.

The area around Principal Park presents restaurants and bars serving Iowa Cubs game-day crowds along the Des Moines River.

Salisbury House and Gardens presents a Tudor-style historic mansion hosting concerts and events in Des Moines.