It has been a busy month! I just moved from Memphis, TN to Des Moines, IA for my husband to do number 2 out of the 3 externship sites before he graduates optometry school. We will be here for 4 months and I am actually really loving this city so much! I haven’t been here too long and immediately started a job as an optician at StylEyes in West Des Moines. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite finds of Des Moines thus far. There is obviously so much any city can offer and you really could write a book about it!
I love the energy that Des Moines has. You will see people running and biking constantly. It sure gives me some motivation to really get up and get going! Unfortunately, my husband’s bike got stolen off the bike rack on our way here so I left mine at home in Pittsburgh and we came to Des Moines bikeless. We really are so happy that they offer B-Cycle. It is the coolest bike service. All over the city you will find stations where you can check out a bike and ride around. There are numerous trails and bike lanes everywhere throughout the city. I have traveled quite a bit and Des Moines may be one of the easiest and biker friendly cities to roam about in. I also feel like I am getting in the best shape of my life living downtown and biking to the grocery store or my favorite coffee shop DSM Brewery Coffee Company, where I am currently writing this post from.
You can pay $10 a month to be a member of B-Cycle. This bike share service is all over the US and in most major cities! I have found the best way to explore a new city is actually on a bike. There is no need to park a car, as parking in a city can sometimes be daunting and take the fun out of exploring. No need for pricy uber or cab rides either. Channel your inner youthful self and get out on a bike again!
There have been quite a few great places to eat and I definitely haven’t experienced all of them yet! I got four months here to really chow down. I live for brunch and breakfast food so when I heard of the Australian restaurant called St. Kilda, I had to check it out. Where are all my avocado lovers at?! This place has the best avocado toast I have ever tasted, and I have spent some time in Australia. My husband sprung for the salmon and eggs, which were incredible. Who know the midwest had some amazing seafood too!
We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.
Des Moines has some really industrial chic architecture. I love that about them. The city has a feel of hard work and artistic heart. There is also some beautiful almost European style buildings and monuments. If you head towards the capital you can see all of these which take you into a bit of Des Moines, IA history.
The art scene is very vivid in downtown Des Moines. You will find many murals, I am only sharing 2 below for now! There is inspiration everywhere actually.
What blogger doesn’t love an outfit pic in front of a mural?!
The downtown area has an actual sculpture park, for all you art lovers. I didn’t even capture all of it, you’ll have to visit Des Moines to see for yourself! It is really fun to walk thru these larger than life sculptures that make you feel so small. You will find people having a picnic or just relaxing on the green among all the sculpture scenes.
The Papajohn Sculpture Park
If you need to escape the city, your escape awaits only a mile away. I absolutely love living downtown because there is a beautiful park and lake literally a mile from my studio apartment. Grey’s Lake offers everything from a 2 mile trail around the lake to either bike, run or walk. The lake is perfect, it is just big enough too. You will see people stand-up paddle boarding, rowing, kayaking, and even sailing! You can launch your own boat off the dock or rent one! My husband and I love to kayak however have no room to store them with all the traveling we are doing. Amazon offers inflatable kayaks for under $100 each. They were so worth the purchase. They deflate and inflate on a dime and you can keep them in the trunk of your car so easily!
Shop these kayaks here! They are perfect for someone who wants to try out kayaking but doesn’t want to spend a fortune or doesn’t have the space to store them.
Thanks for reading and following along! I love to share what I am honestly loving, and I am honestly loving living in Des Moines! We will be here for four months and then headed off to Phoenix, AZ stay tuned for a travel guide in another couple months from the wild west!
Wow girl! This sounds like such a great place! I had no idea that place was that cool, haha! I loved this post because I get to hear what you are doing these days. I am sure anything is better than Memphis though right? Sorry to hear your hubby’s bike got stolen! I am curious if that was here lol? Thanks for sharing all of this!
Thanks love! No it got stolen in Pittsburgh in broad daylight! Come visit me! Or come to Phoenix lol! I miss Memphis for all my friends like you that I’ve made. 🙂
Wow! Who knew Iowa was so cultural?! I absolutely love that mural about the budding flower… that’s so great. And thanks so much for the info on the bike service! That’s an awesome perk! Hope you enjoy the rest of your time there! xoxo
Yeah! I bet they have some sort of B Cycle in LA! Its great. 🙂