4 Ways to Celebrate 515 Day in DSM

Sunday, May 15 is Greater Des Moines’ (DSM’s) inaugural 515 Day. The Greater Des Moines Partnership encourages you to celebrate all things #DSMUSA on this date that shares the region’s area code! We hope that you’ll join us in supporting the local business community by visiting and sharing about local restaurants, shops, attractions and cultural spots around the region.

Celebrate with Us

Here are four fun ways you can celebrate 515 Day in 2022:

• Meet with friends and family for lunch. No matter where you are in DSM, from the suburbs and towns to the six neighborhoods of Downtown DSM, including the Historic East Village and Western Gateway, there are plenty of new restaurants to become acquainted with or long-time favorites to revisit. Might we suggest a few? Americana, Aura Restaurant & Lounge, Beans & Beignets Coffee & Café, Blue Shark Ale House, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Coco & Nini’s Italian Restaurant & Lounge, Drake Diner, Gilroy’s Kitchen + Pub + Patio, Los Charros, Panka Peruvian Restaurant, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Sivid, The U Bar & Grill
• Plan a tour of spring/summer attractions. Flowers are beginning to bloom and there are plenty of local places that have them on display in DSM. Why not support local institutions while also celebrating how these businesses help to beautify the region? Here are a few to consider: Gray’s Lake, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Iowa State Capitol, Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens, Salisbury House & Gardens, World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, Water Works Park and Brenton Arboretum
• Download the Iowa by Trail app from the Central Iowa Trail Association and take advantage of the spring weather by strolling through more than 800 miles of connected walking, biking and running trails in the area. Take photos of you and your loved ones in your favorite spots on the trail to encourage others to take your path!
• Shop ‘til you drop. Start at the Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona and make your way through the Historic East Village in Downtown DSM to Valley Junction, Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines, West Glen Town Center and Ankeny Prairie Trails. There are plenty of local shops and many other businesses to support along the way. Take it from us that these businesses are worth stopping into: Anna Serene, Bellflower Florist & Gifts, Blissful Craft Shop, Charlotte Louise Mercantile, Christian Photo, Color Store Inc., Happy DSM, Massage Heights, Prysm Jewelry & Piercing, Rummaging Around, Silver Fox

Find even more places to celebrate 515 Day by scrolling through The Partnership’s directory, featuring restaurant, retail and other business Members.

Continue to Support Local

As you visit these local spots, take a moment to continue to support local with not just your dollars, but also your love! Spread the word about the places you’re visiting with photos and hashtags on social media including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Use the hashtags #DSMUSA and #515Day hashtag. Doing so will highlight the businesses you’ve visited while also giving ideas to your social network so they can help support DSM businesses, too!

Supporting local businesses is always top of mind at The Partnership, whether it's through creating local buying guides or by encouraging small business support through several of the organization’s strategic priorities, including increasing Downtown DSM foot traffic and upping support for minority-owned businesses across the region.

Named one of 10 Best Cities for High Salaries and Low Cost of Living in the Midwest and a Top 10 Place Where It’s Easiest to Save for Your First Home, Greater Des Moines (DSM) is a region where you can have it all. Learn more about what it’s like to live here.