Under 21 Years Old?
You don’t have to be 21 or older to have a fun-filled weekend in Greater Des Moines. Trust me, I know how difficult is it to be a part of the under 21 club when you are 18, 19 or 20. It seems as if everyone is enjoying drinks at hotspots in Historic Court District or in the Historic East Village, but do not let your age get you down. I have lived in Greater Des Moines (DSM) for 21 years now, but the first twenty were just as fun! So as someone who gets it — who understands the struggle of being a young adult but not a young adult — I want to share with you my list of seven fun things to do when you are under 21 in Des Moines.
7 Hot Spots in DSM USA
Des Moines Farmers’ Market Downtown
The same streets that are alive Friday night are just as bustling Saturday mornings as residents from all over attend the Des Moines Farmers’ Market. As far as I am aware, the Farmers’ Market is the only place in Greater Des Moines where one can sink their teeth into a fresh-from-the-garden strawberry one minute and then into an authentic eggroll the next. Not to mention, a lot of the vendors have samples that anyone can try at no cost! From flavored oatmeal to a bison beef-stick, the Farmers’ Market is an awesome place to find a new favorite food. I could spend an hour talking about the fresh flowers or all the neat jewelry vendors as well, but I am going to challenge you to find out these hidden gems for yourself!
“You can do that?!” was the first thing I said when a friend told me that she went paddleboarding at Gray’s Lake one weekend. The answer is yes, yes you can! For just $5 you can rent a paddleboard from the concessions/rental stand and paddle your way around the lake for half an hour. And if keeping your balance on top of a moving board resting on water isn’t your strong suit, ditch the board for a canoe, kayak, sailboat or pedal boat. Long story short, you don’t have to spend a ton of money or hours traveling up north or to one of our country’s coasts to enjoy time on the water. Try out paddleboarding today (and then send me a picture when you fall off into the lake J).
Toad Valley Golf Course in Pleasant Hill is offering 2-for-1 greens fees with a paid cart every Monday through Thursday. Catch a break on the greens and practice your swing.
Ladies and gentleman, if you really want to make an impression on your next date, don’t just take her or him to the run-of-the-mill movie theater. Instead, check out the Science Center of Iowa’s Blank IMAX Dome Theater where you don’t just watch a movie, you feel like you are a part of it. With seats positioned at a 35 degree angle so that you can see every inch of the six-story-tall screen, you and your guest are in for a movie experience unlike any other. While Hollywood blockbusters grace the screen from time to time, generally a lot of incredibly interesting documentary films are played. I can’t make any promises, but after watching a documentary about space, exotic animals or even NASCAR, your date might just mistake you for being cultured. Click here to find out what is playing!
Whenever my friends and I have a free afternoon we head over to the ARL and ask the front desk people if we can play with the cats or dogs that are currently up for adoption. Nine times out of ten we have been given the OK and have gone on to spend two hours playing fetch with a lovable pup or cuddling a soft cat. Shelter animals have a lot of love to give and very few people to give it to, making them excellent company on a weekend afternoon.
Enjoy Late-Night Eats in Downtown Des Moines (DSM)
Just because you are not 21 doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a night out downtown. Stay up late for specials at favorites like Malo and Fong’s Pizza. Malo serves tasty appetizers and even tastier tacos until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights with some tacos and appetizers as inexpensive as $3! Fong’s Pizza is another great late-night haunt. Their signature pizzas are served by the slice from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. You don’t have to be of age to enjoy Nuevo Latino and Italian delicacies at these fun restaurants.
Bowling is one of those activities where it is fun to do whether you are good or bad! At Plaza Lanes you can expect bumping music, funky shoes and special lighting. All of these attributes make for a fun atmosphere where even unskilled bowlers like myself can have a fun time. Plaza Lanes is open until 2 a.m. Friday through Sunday, making it another place for night owls to check out. If you live on the Eastern half of Des Moines, hit up Bass Pro Shops in Altoona to find another swanky bowling alley. Bass Pro Shops’ Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl and Grill has cosmic bowling every Friday and Saturday night until Midnight. The cost is only $15 for three hours of bowling and shoes. Another reason to check out cosmic bowling at Bass Pro Shops is its underwater theme. Balls are returned to bowlers from the mouths of sharks, fish swim along the ceiling, and you can leave saying that you spent your evening tearing up the lanes in a coral reef.
Check The Partnership’s website for attractions and festivals in Des Moines, as well as Downtown DSM. The calendar also offers plenty of things to do for the not-quite-21 age group.
Katie Brown
Young Professionals Connection (YPC)
The Young Professionals Connection (YPC) promotes an environment that attracts and retains young professionals in Greater Des Moines (DSM). YPC connects young professionals to each other and to the community through social, civic, charitable and professional development endeavors. YPC members have unique opportunities to grow personally and professionally and forge lasting relationships. They engage, connect and form a foundation for their future in DSM. YPC is an initiative of the Greater Des Moines Partnership.