Why Greater Des Moines is Perfect for Every Personality

It’s a new year in Greater Des Moines (DSM)! While many are making resolutions and looking to change things up, there are others who just want to make the most out of their year without making any big changes. Whichever group you fall into, whether you’re looking for a new activity or just a group of friends who share the same hobby, we’ve got some ideas on where you can find the perfect business, community group or club to fit your personality. 

For the Athlete, Sports Enthusiast

Whether you like to cheer on your favorite teams or explore the great outdoors, DSM is ideal for the active and adventurous. 

• Looking for a social outlet that also keeps you in shape? Fleet Feet in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) offers weekly group runs and training programs so you can reach your goals with other runners in the region.
• No matter what time of year it is, there is an opportunity to support a sports team in DSM — check out the Des Moines Meance at Mediacom Stadium, the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park, the Iowa Barnstormers, Iowa Wild and Iowa Wolves at Casey’s Center in Downtown DSM and the Des Moines Buccaneers and Iowa Demon Hawks at Buccaneer Arena in Urbandale. Attending games and matches makes it easy to meet other sports fans and cheer on your favorite athletes together.
• At Jester Park Nature Center in Polk County, find outdoor recreational events as well as a bouldering wall, cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals, indoor archery and more at the Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center. The OWLS group, made up of seniors in the area, attends nature lectures and takes bus tours throughout the year. 
• Maybe racecars are more your thing?  Join the Newton Club to see racing stars at the Iowa Speedway in Newton in style. 
• Wander Women has adventures for the women of the Midwest. From multi-day trips no matter the season to short hikes in community outdoor spaces and workshops, too, Wander Women brings together adventurers for awesome experiences.
• Discover geocaching, marsh animals, wildlife and hiking trails in Warren County. The Warren County Conservation Board will help you explore south-central Iowa to your heart’s content with seasonal events at its county parks and outdoor spaces.
• Fitness, yoga and cycling classes are just a few of the ways the YMCA of Greater Des Moines will get your heart rate up, no matter which location you’re heading to — John R. Grubb Community YMCA in Des Moines, Walnut Creek Family YMCA in West Des Moines, Waukee Family YMCA in Waukee or Wellmark YMCA in Downtown DSM. Take a class and meet a new friend you can break a sweat with. 

For the Bookworms

If you’re ready to join a book club or check out a new bookstore where you can run into a fellow book lover, the following recommendations below are for you! 

• The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden has indoor and outdoor spots to read among the garden plants. Join the Botany Book Club for botanical book recs and meet like-minded novice and experienced gardeners!
• The region’s local libraries offer book club discussions — check out these in DSM: Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library, DMPL book clubs, Grimes Public Library, Newton Public Library, Urbandale Public Library, West Des Moines Public Library, Winterset Public Library and more!
• At Mainframe Studios in Downtown DSM, see book sculptures, handmade books or take a book binding class from artist Peggy Johnston.
• Pageturners Bookstore is an indie bookstore in Indianola where you can shop for new reads or meet up for a monthly book club discussion.
• Smokey Row, with locations in Ankeny, Carlisle, Des Moines, Grimes, Oskaloosa, Pella, Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines, is the perfect pick for book clubs to grab a seasonal drink while discussing and swapping books and choosing their next read. Hang around here and you’re sure to run into a book club at some point.
• The Little Book in the Historic Highland Park neighborhood in Des Moines is locally owned and centrally located in the region. Find a new release, attend a story time or join a book club. 
• When you join Silent Book Club: DSM, you can check out cozy spots around the region and read with other book lovers. Expect 30 minutes of socializing when you arrive, an hour of reading on your own and another 30 minutes at the end to say goodbye or keep reading! SBC: DSM also offers a Book Swap, so you can share your books and find your next read. 

For the Creatives

Where do creatives find inspiration in DSM? If you’re feeling a little burnt out after the holiday season, these DSM businesses, clubs and meetups will help you find some inspiration and lead you to lasting connections in the New Year. 

• The Des Moines Art Center is no surprise on this list of places to mingle with other creatives, but aside from meandering through exhibits, you can take classes, hear artist lectures and join the Print Club. 
• Creative Social Club offers a new way to meet creatives around the region. Free to attend, the Creative Social Club brings creatives and someday entrepreneurs together in a new way.
• Looking for a new way to branch out and meet other local poets? Check out Des Moines Poetry Workshop to get to know other storytellers in the region. Speaking of storytellers, the Iowa Storytellers Project is now presented by Hoyt Sherman Place and looking for submissions for upcoming events. Submit your story to be one of five local Iowans on stage or attend one of the events to meet other storytellers in the DSM community. 
• At Studio Ember in Urbandale, get to know other artists during Simple Sunday Workshops and other workshops tailored to exploring art technique. Workshops are available for all ages and include everything from painting to macramé and more. 
• Head to Glitter Factory DSM for arts and crafts workshops, a DIY craft bar and more in Downtown DSM.
• You can't walk through Glitter Factory DSM for arts and crafts workshops, a DIY craft bar and more in Downtown DSM.
• For local comedians, musicians and poets, xBk Annex in Des Moines is an intimate community and event space to meet other creatives. Smaller than the main location at xBk Live, the Annex is even more accessible.  

For the Foodies

Whether you’re in the mood for a spicy entrée or are craving a comfort dish that will remind you of past family dinners, you can find exactly that and more in DSM. The region has locally produced menu items that offer seasonal delights, whether you prefer a cozy atmosphere or a flashier one.  

• At the Wallace Centers of Iowa in Des Moines, farm-to-table dining is a way to meet others who appreciate locally sourced food, with many ingredients grown at the historic Wallace Farm. Enjoy good food and good company when you attend any of the other Wallace Centers of Iowa events, including Hearts & Homes Luncheons, Sherman Hill Victorian Teas, Pizza on the Prairie and the Historic Corn Plot Dinner.
• Head to Living History Farms and take part in authentic, historical dinners in Urbandale. 1900 Farm Dinners are offered early November to early January and March-April. The Dahl Historic Dinners at Tangen House are offered January-February, and the Flynn Mansion High-Style Coursed Dinners are offered in March only. You can also take part in ongoing Flynn Mansion Teas featuring hot tea and seasonal tea sandwiches.
• Get on the mailing list for the Spring Gourmet Dinner Series with the Iowa Culinary Institute® at Des Moines Area Community College. Dinners are held on the DMACC Ankeny campus and include a champagne or sparkling wine reception preceding the dinner, so you’ll have an opportunity to mingle with other guests ahead of the evening’s meal.
• The WineStyles Tasting Station in Ankeny or West Des Moines is a great place to meet up with fellow wine enthusiasts. Each month, WineStyles also offers an education tasting series. Attend Uncorked ... With classes like “Uncorking Wine Myths,” “Home Entertaining” and “How to Be a Wine Snob,” you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other wine lovers and learn something new.  
• Another monthly DSM dining event, Savor Moxie, features entrees from Des Moines-based Moxie Kitchen + Events chefs. Past events have included the “First Down Feast" a game-day-inspired dinner and “Summer Corn,” with a dinner menu highlighting summer sweet corn. 

For the Gamers

Take a minute to go AFK and check out gaming hotspots around the region. These DSM locations will connect you with other gamers, so you can get involved in a local gaming community or discover the latest games and improve your gaming skills. 

• If you love figuring out puzzles and finding clues, Escapology in Clive is for you! You can also find puzzle competitions across the region at spaces like The Rook Room, local libraries, breweries and more.
• At B & B Theatres & B-Roll Bowling in Ankeny, game nights are always taking place. Take part in rounds of UNO, Music Bingo and Movie Trivia at the B & B in-house restaurant and bar, Sterling’s.
• Check out Pop Up Games on Facebook to see which local events they’ll be at this year. It’ll be easy to meet other gamers by attending! The portable nine-hole mini golf course is a fun, interactive experience for the entire family — and can be rented for your own parties and events, too.
• Join a Des Moines Gaming Club League to hang out with others who love the same games you play! Any game on any platform can have a league if there are enough people so round up your gaming friends to compete. Established leagues include Call of Duty, Dota 2, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG and Pokemon Sword & Shield.
• Attend Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe in Des Moines for special events or just drop in and hang out with other gamers. The Game Wall has more than 700 games for all ages, so you can play while you socialize. Check out the cafe menu, the bar and lounge menu or food menu, and don't forget to try the house-special Stuffed Sandos while you’re playing.

For the Socializers

DSM has plenty of opportunities to socialize no matter what part of the region you’re in. From joining local parks and recreation leagues to attending library events, find a place to meet up and connect with others who share your interests.  

• The City of Ankeny's Albaugh Family Senior Community Senior is a place for the 60+ crowd to take advantage of amenities like a gymnasium, indoor track, social programs and more. Meet other residents and sign up for programs like yoga and pickleball. Note: Membership is not limited to Ankeny residents, but non-resident fees are higher.
• Yoga by the Lake, a City of Johnston summer event, is held weekly at the Terra Lake Amphitheater. Connect with other yogis and enjoy the outdoors while you’re at it! There are plenty of other recreational offerings and opportunities to socialize in Johnston.
• Are you a fan of hockey, pickleball or ice skating? Drop in at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines to make some connections or join a league and take advantage of this state-of-the-art complex that also offers an Adult Bags program and Zamboni Driving Experience. 
• For a more casual evening, head over to Smash Park in West Des Moines for indoor pickleball, trivia (on select evenings), darts, arcade games and more!
• Volunteering is often something people feel called to do and makes up a big part of someone’s personality. If that sounds like you, check out these DSM events and organizations with volunteer opportunities and make a difference with people who care in the same way.
• Thanks to ICON Water Trails, local paddling opportunities continue to improve. Check out the Central Iowa Paddlers group and the Paddle Fest event to get more involved.
• Libraries around DSM offer plenty of opportunities to connect with people who share your interests. Whether you’re looking for a children’s event where you can meet other parents or a book club, crafting night, financial workshop or history program, a local library has you covered.

Every  Personality Has a Place in DSM

It’s not hard to feel at home in DSM. Request a free relocation guide to learn more about the region or reach out to a MVP with questions.