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This winter has been long and has had a mind of its own. Now that the weather is calming down and warming up, people are eager to get out of the house and explore Des Moines. Viewfinder conducted a survey of students and staff at Grand View to discover what they have been missing out on this winter and what they are most looking forward to once spring comes around. Below is a list of the top answers followed by the top-ranked attractions Des Moines has to offer.

Viewfinder staff took their answers and compiled a list of top spots in Des Moines to get your fix in the following categories: Green Scenery, Trails, Water and Outdoor Dining. Four Des Moines natives also gave us their picks for the top attraction in each section.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: With seven acres of outdoor gardens, the Des Moines Botanical Garden aims to inspire and engage its visitors through education, experience and exploration. It cultivates diverse plants and connects people to the environment surrounding them.

“Botanical Garden is a perfect place to get pictures done, whether it is prom pictures or even engagement pictures. There is a wide range of plants and flowers and it is so pretty and relaxing to walk through.”
— Baylie Bucher

Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden: The Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden is a display garden for the testing of plants and a photography studio for Meredith Corporation’s publications and websites. Visitors are allowed on Fridays between noon-2 p.m. from May through the first Friday in October.

Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens: The Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens hosts an Asian pavilion on a bridge across a pond that pours into the Des Moines River with waterfalls. The garden features stone pagodas, lanterns and sculptural rock formations.

Walking Trails

Brown’s Woods: Brown’s Woods is Iowa’s largest urban forest preserve, at 484 acres, with more than two miles of trails to wander around on. Located in West Des Moines, the park is home to many oak and hickory trees spanning from Brown’s Woods Drive to the Raccoon River.

Fort Des Moines Park: Fort Des Moines Park spans over 117 acres and sits on part of the former Calvary post on Army Post Road. It centers around a 14-acre lake and also includes picnic shelters, a playground, nature trails and more.

Principal Park Riverwalk: The Principal Riverwalk is a 1.2-mile trail that loops around world-class public art and has pedestrian bridges and pathways that connect 300 miles of Central Iowa trails. The trail is lighted and runs alongside the Des Moines River.

Biking Trails

Water Works Park: Water Works Park is located on Fleur Drive directly across from Gray’s Lake. It spans nearly 1,500 acres of open wooded areas, stretching from Fleur Drive up against the Raccoon River to George Flagg Parkway.

Ewing Park: Ewing Park is Des Moines’ largest park, located at SE McKinley Avenue and Indianola Avenue. In addition to a bike trail, the park has shelters, playgrounds, a disc golf course, pond, lilac arboretum and more.

Raccoon River Park: Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines consists of 631.61 acres and more than 200 acres of areas for wildlife. The park also includes a 3.2-mile nature trail around Blue Heron Lake.

Boating

Saylorville Lake: Saylorville Lake is a reservoir on the Des Moines River in Iowa, United States. It is located 11 miles upstream from the city of Des Moines, and 214 miles from the mouth of the Des Moines River at the Mississippi River.

Birdland Marina: Offers boat ramps, fuel docks, restrooms and a good view. They also offer picnic tables, grills, playgrounds, and shelters.

Big Creek State Park: Big Creek Lake clear water provides great family swimming fun. Refreshments are available at the beach during the swimming season. A large wooden play structure, accessible to the mobility impaired, is located at the beach. Disc golf, model air, softball and volleyball areas provide additional entertainment.

Swimming

Adventureland: Adventure Bay is great for kids and families wanting to get a swim in while they are at Adventureland. There are several slides along with a wave pool, lazy river and different pools with different heights, perfect for all ages.

Valley View Aquatic Center: Valley View Aquatic Center is an outdoor complex featuring a leisure pool with four slides, sprays, 10-lane lap pool & a lazy river.

“[Valley View Aquatic Center] is the best pool in West Des Moines. It has a long lazy river, many slides, and good food. Such as walking tacos, ice cream sandwiches and frozen lemonade.”
— Ashlyn Williams

Clive Aquatic Center: Clive Aquatic Center is an outdoor facility with leisure, lap and lazy river pools, sprays and fountains, open weather permitting.

Beaches and Lakes

Big creek state park: Big Creek Lake clear water provides great family swimming fun. Refreshments are available at the beach during the swimming season. A large wooden play structure, accessible to the mobility impaired, is located at the beach. Disc golf, model air, softball, and volleyball areas provide additional entertainment.

Gray’s Lake: The 167-acre Gray’s Lake Park is located in the heart of the City of Des Moines, at the site of a former gravel and sand excavation operation.  The park is located on the southwestern edge of downtown Des Moines with entrances located on the east side of the major north/south arterial corridor of the City at 2101 Fleur Drive.

“Grey’s Lake is a really fun place to go for all ages. You can go paddle boarding, kayaking, and there are small boats you can rent. It is also really cheap and right next to a bike trail which is convenient if you are wanting to do both.”
— Miranda Greathouse

Lake Red Rock: Lake Red Rock, also referred to as Red Rock Reservoir is a reservoir formed by Red Rock Dam on the Des Moines River, about 41 miles southeast of the city of Des Moines.

Fishing

Saylorville Lake: Saylorville Lake is a reservoir on the Des Moines River in Iowa, United States. It is located 11 miles upstream from the city of Des Moines, and 214 miles from the mouth of the Des Moines River at the Mississippi River.

Blue Heron Lake: Blue Heron Lake offers several different amenities but fishing at this spot is very popular. Almost all the fish that are able to be caught are also able to be eaten. They have a wide variety of different species of fish.

Big Hollow Recreation Area: The 178-acre lake complete with a beach, boat ramp and multiple fishing jetties offers ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with the family on or near the water. The lake features excellent bluegill, crappie, channel cat, and bass fishing opportunity either by boat or from the shore.

Patio and Rooftop

The Rooftop Bar: The Rooftop Bar is located in Des Moines’ Historic East Village. Their hours range from 4 p.m.-12 a.m. or 2 a.m. depending on the day. They offer burgers, gourmet bar bites and weekend brunch.

300 Craft & Rooftop: This is a 2,300-square-foot bar and cocktail lounge with views of downtown Des Moines to the northwest of Principal Park, where the Iowa Cubs play baseball. The bar is neighbors to Guru BBQ and Fuzzy’s Taco shop. They are opened from 2 p.m.-2 a.m. daily.

Pints Bar Rooftop – PBR Country: Pints Bar Rooftop offers inside dining as well as outside dining as well. It is located off of Court Ave., and are known for their burgers and different beverages.

Ice Cream

Black Cat Ice Cream: Black Cat ice cream is located on Grand Ave in Des Moines. They serve from inside an offer a variety of milkshakes, ice cream and even food choices.

“One time I went to black cat ice cream and they had a lemon cheesecake flavor. I was skeptical at first, but to my surprise, it was delicious. I enjoy the wide variety of flavors they have to offer. The only downfall is that there is no outside sitting so you have to sit on the curb.”
— McKenna Davidson

Classic Frozen Custard: Frozen Custard is located off of S.E. 14th Street. They are so popular because they are one of the few places in Des Moines that serves custard and offer a variety of different flavors.

Granny’s Sweet Freeze Shoppe: This ice cream shop is located on Hubbell Ave and is located inside a pink truck. They are open noon-9 p.m. every Monday through Sunday and offer a wide variety of choices.