Downtown DSM on a Budget: 11 Best Ways to Spend $50 Downtown

1. Do you have a Des Moines Public Library card? Chances are you can take advantage of an Adventure Pass to visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden or Science Center of Iowa for free! Stay within your $50 budget by enjoying chips and guacamole with street-style tacos at Malo for lunch or pick up a treat nearby at Molly's Cupcakes.

2. Rent a bike to explore around Downtown DSM with friends or the fam and enjoy a zero-cost scavenger hunt! Take advantage of the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park Exploration Guide for an interactive outing. Other public art including sculptures and murals as well as Downtown views offer things to see along your ride.

3. Stage a cooking challenge with friends. Stop by the Downtown Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning, have everyone buy $50 worth of ingredients (you’ll find produce, meat, spices and more at The Market) and then head to your kitchen to see who can cook up the most inventive dish. The Partnership's "This Week at The Market" series offers seven vendor booths to look for each week as well as other fun Market info. Follow along all summer on the Market Highlights page!

4. Snag lunch and have a picnic in the Better Homes & Gardens test garden, free and open to the public on Fridays from Noon to 2 p.m. over the summer at People Inc. A few lunch spots nearby include A Dong, Allora Café and The Walnut. 

5. For art, history, politics and skyline views, enjoy a free, self-guided tour of the Iowa State Capitol and State Law Library. Tip: make use of the audio and video tour resources, both for the Capitol and Capitol grounds as well as monuments and memorials. Then grab drinks and an appetizer at a Historic East Village eatery such as Coa Cantina, Ceviche Bar or Iowa Taproom.

6. Bring your besties and get on the water at Gray’s Lake. Take your pick from their available watercraft rentals including canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, pedal boats and row boats priced in 2026 at $10 for 30 minutes or $18 for one hour. With your remaining budget, hit up a brewery nearby (Confluence or Exile are close!) or grab ice cream cones at Smokey Row.

7. Spend your Friday Night with the Iowa Cubs — where every Friday night game ends in fireworks. For families with young kids, make it a “double header” and not only catch a game, but get in some water play, too. Bring your suits and cool off in the zero-depth entry fountain located just south of the scoreboard. For a date night for two, allocate the rest of your budget to drinks after the game at Mullet’s, High Life Lounge or El Bait Shop to cool down with a couple of beers after the game.

8. Pack your scooters or skateboards and make your way to Lauridsen Skatepark — it's fun for the whole family! Even if you’re not quite ready to take on the bowl, you’ll enjoy sitting on the sidelines watching others drop in. After getting your fill of the action, head over to Raygun to put $30 towards some Downtown DSM swag, and also grab milkshakes from Zombie Burger + Bird.

9. Bring a friend or a special someone to watch the sunrise from the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge, then sit down for breakfast and coffee from HobNob Coffee and Wine Bine in the Hotel Fort Des Moines, an authentic Euro-style café or Scenic Route Bakery.

10. Impress your date with a sunset from the EMC Overlook at MacRae Park (or any of these great places for views in Downtown DSM!), then treat yourselves to cocktails from the Continental Restaurant & Lounge or the Republic on Grand.

11. Enjoy a solo day dedicated to architecture and antiques. The Des Moines Architectural Foundation offers monthly walking tours over the summer and fall at $20 per person. Then, stroll through a few Downtown antique shops such as West End Architectural Salvage, Porch Light and Funky Finds Vintage & Retro. You’ll even have a few dollars to spend on a small historic or vintage item to take home (and still stay within budget)!

Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Downtown Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to the Downtown DSM newsletter, packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects. Stay connected to the Downtown DSM community and help amplify its stories.