Des Moines, IA Real Estate, Homes For Sale, School & Area Information

Former gang member turned child advocate, and vocalist Will Keeps sings a duet with Des Moines Police Officer Mike Moody.

Sharing all the things we are looking forward to and currently experiencing in Des Moines.

Several communities surrounding Des Moines Metro were named on a top 25 best places to live for 2020. Each community has its own perks and all bring a different feel and amenities. This list compiled by Niche.com is based on home values, property taxes, housing costs, and real estate trends. If you are looking to buy a home in the near future consider these communities.

Waterbury - This community is located in Des Moines proper. It provides a dense suburban feel but convenient to Downtown and amenities such as coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, and city parks. This area consists of mostly historical homes with unique features and mature trees.

Waukee - A growing suburb of Des Moines that offers easy access to the interstate and has a highly rated school district. You will find a mixture of homes in this community ranging from the 1900's to new construction. There is lots of shopping, restaurants, and recreation in Waukee. This area is super convenient to Downtown areas and Jordan Creek Mall.

Bondurant - Located on the east side of the Des Moines Metro, Bondurant continues to grow. This community gives you a small town rural feeling without the lack of amenities. While the town does not offer a ton of shopping or restaurants it is super convenient to the interstate and within minutes of Downtown, Ankeny, or Altoona. The schools in Bondurant are highly rated. Class sizes are a bit smaller than some of the surrounding communities but continues to grow.

Huxley - Located in Story County, Huxley is right in the middle of Ames and Ankeny. This community offers a sparse suburban feel. Housing options available offer everything from rentals, older homes, new construction, and acreages. Small town living at its best.

Ankeny - Named one of the fastest growing communities in the US for several years running. Housing options are abundant and it covers all price ranges. Shopping, restaurants, recreation, and city parks are plentiful. Easy interstate access, a central location, and highly rated school district are big advantages to living in this community.

West Des Moines - Offering a urban suburban mixed feeling with tons of shopping, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Many housing options provide walkability to these conveniences. The school district is highly rated but is one district with the largest class sizes. Easy access to Downtown and the interstate makes commuting easy.

Looking for something fun to do inside this weekend? The 2020 Home and Remodeling Show is being presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines February 21-23. This is a great opportunity to view innovative exhibitions, attend educational seminars and get all your questions answered by qualified trade professionals.

The Home and Remodeling Show is located on the Iowa State Fair Grounds, Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center at E 30th St and University Ave. Admission is free.

Finally, a Casey's General Store convenient to Downtown Des Moines will be coming in the near future. Casey's plans to build the gas station/food mart on the corner of SW 9th and Park Ave. This will be the closest Casey's location to the Downtown area, and most convenient. In addition to 14 gas pumps this location will also have a full kitchen that offers sandwiches, bakery goods, and of course pizza.

A new arcade, restaurant, and sports bar venue is getting ready to open in Merle Hay Mall. GameDay will be a family friendly location that offers a restaurant with multiple TV's and a wrap around bar on one side and an arcade on the other side. There will also be an outdoor patio area that can seat 50 people when the weather is nicer.

The grand opening is set for Tuesday, December 17th at 4:00 p.m. Hours of operation will be 11:00 am to Midnight, Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. on Sunday.

GameDay will be located at 3800 Merle Hay Rd, Suite 1200 in Merle Hay Mall near the Flix Brewhouse entrance.

Another family fun activity is being held at Blank Park Zoo this weekend. Visit Santa at the zoo this weekend December, 14-15th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. It will be a day of fun with hot cocoa, crafts, and holiday themed enrichment for the animals. This is a free event with the purchase of regular zoo admission or free to members. You can visit Santa in front of the aquarium inside the Discovery Center. Kids will be entertained with the Discovery Center Animals while waiting in line to visit Santa.

Get into the holiday spirit and visit Blank Park Zoo for the first ever Holiday Zoo Brew! This is a holiday event for those over 21 years of age. Sorry no minors allowed for this event. Enjoy seasonal drinks, lights, and a silent disco bar all while viewing the animals in their natural habitat. Outside activities will be held under a pavilion with heaters so the cold won't be a worry. Also know that when you attend any Zoo Brew throughout the season you are supporting zoo programs and conservation efforts to help save animals in the wild.

Holiday Zoo Brew will be held on December 6, 2019 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Blank Park Zoo
is located at 7401 SW 9th St in Des Moines.

Admission is free to zoo members, $9.00 for non-members.

Pumpkinville and Cornmaze in Mitchellville is now open for the season. This is a must visit family activity for little or no expense. There is no general admission fee to enter the premises. The free entry also includes free hayrack rides, a hay jump, grainary, hay train, playground, sack races, pumpkin tug of war and much more! In addition there is a large corn maze and a small corn maze that you can navigate. The large maze admission is $7, small maze $1 per person. Pumpkins are priced by size and range from $1 to $30. Groups and parties are also welcome with reservation.

Pumpkinville and Cornmaze is located at 618 Center Ave S, Mitchelliville, IA 50169 and
is open daily 10:00 a.m. and the last maze entry is at 8:00 .pm.

If you need an interesting meeting topic for your civic group or club, then "Google" Franklin Junior High School in Des Moines, IA. You will see a special development project in progress and wet your whistle for a mini-adventure in the Heart of Beverdale.

I belong to the Forum Breakfast Club. We had Jeff Young speak to us at one of our meetings and today we followed up with an on-site presentation and tour personally given to us by Jeff. You will not be disappointed with either. Please come see Jeff and this Des Moines gem as it develops toward a must see destination spot for many future activities and venues to experience.

Thank You, Jeff and all your visionary doers, for helping to bring your vision to reality. It will be first class and fun!

In the near future, a new hangout spot will open for dog owners and their fur babies. Paws and Pints will provide a relaxing atmosphere for visitors while their dogs can romp around the off leash dog park or participate in grooming and boarding services, doggy daycare, and/or training classes.

Veterinarian and taxi services are also available. Human guests can enjoy full bar service, food trucks, and live music while their canines can enjoy a selection of dog-only entrees. Paws and Pints will eventually be located at the corner of 63rd Street and Park Avenue. Current plans are to have the facility open in 2020.

Once a month you can explore the Science Center of Iowa with your family at a discounted rate. SCI offers hands on exhibits, a 50 ft planetarium, and six-story IMax Dome theater; all to encourage a fun learning experience for all ages. Family Fun Night runs from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on the first day of each month until January 1, 2020. General admission tickets are $5.00.

The Science Center of Iowa is located at 401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Downtown Des Moines.

3 Sons Bar & Grill is new in town and is located in the same spot where Legends American Sports Bar was in West Des Moines. The newly renovated space offers American cuisine in a family friendly environment.

3 Sons Bar & Grill specializes in wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes. Multiple side options are available such as traditional fries, waffle fries, mac & cheese, coleslaw and potato salad (just to name a few). Kids meals are also available and include a side and drink for $5.99.

Don't forget about the full bar which offers wine; local, domestic, and imported beer; as well as standard and fancy mixed drinks.

3 Sons Bar & Grill is located at 5906 Ashworth Rd in West Des Moines, IA

Have you ever watched American Ninja Warrior and think it looks like fun? Do you want your kids to get away from electronics and get physical? Des Moines has a Kids Warrior Gym open to the public specifically designed for ages 4-12 years. You can take advantage of open gym time by just stopping by or sign up for weekly warrior classes where your kids can learn the best techniques to overcome the obstacles and have an opportunity to compete with other warriors. Kids Warrior Gym also has birthday party packages available. To learn more and get directions click on the link below.

One of Iowa's favorite pastimes has got to be sledding! Especially after the first snow fall, when snow is so new and exciting for the year. The sound of children's laughter is enough to keep that cold feeling at bay, at least for a little while! And Polk County offers some great hills! Of course in Des Moines, Sleepy Hollow offers a multitude of snowy activities. For neighborhood hills, Wakonda, Wavelend Golf Course, Grandview Gold Course, Ewing Park and Metro Ice Sports Arena are just a few places to slide on down to a good time. These are a couple of the larger hills, but there are a multiple of little neighborhood hills, maybe right in your back yard, just waiting to be discovered before the winter ends!

Finally, somewhere to take the kids (or even yourself) without so much plastic! Sargent Park is the first in Des Moines to boast a natural playscape. Located on East Douglas and adjacent to Four Mile Creek, you'll find ways for your child to climb, dig, run and explore in nature. A few unique features of this unique play design are a rope bridge, a hollow log and climbing rocks. Such a breath of fresh air in playgrounds! Adjoining the park are the creek and walking paths as well. Definitely a park worth going out of your way for. My kids can't wait to go back!

A new idea is popping up in the U.S. the past few years, although it's been popular in England quite sometime. Give a book, take a book. Little Free Libraries are being placed all over the metro on curbs and in parks. These little libraries are created by groups or individuals as a way for readers to exchange books freely and simply. It's just a simple wood cabinet decorated to the originators taste but brings neighborhoods together. The Des Moines metro offers more than twenty-five of these free libraries. Why not look for a good free book right in your own neighborhood rather than trek to the bookstore and pay for it? You never know, you might even spark a discussion about it with a neighbor who placed it in the box!

Labor Day is upon us, and everyone is scrambling to enjoy summer one more time before fall is here. In Iowa, there is plenty to do! Lots of Iowans enjoy camping, especially over a long weekend. I recommend Yellow Banks Park, personally. Although I'm not a camper, I do personally enjoy the park on a regular basis and know many who enjoy this camp site.

Located just west of Pleasant Hill, you don't have to travel far to enjoy the gorgeous scenery. I hope to head there on a picnic this weekend! Another great place to catch the Iowa view is the High Trestle Trail, located just north of Ankeny. On foot or bike, the bridge offers spectacular Iowa views.

Finally, my last pick of things to do this weekend is enjoy one of the last Des Moines farmer's markets downtown on Court Avenue. While the market extends into October, the produce offered starts to dwindle down as summer wraps up. Whatever you choose, enjoy the weekend and this great Iowa living.

Yesterday my parents took me to the greatest place on earth! The busiest too! It's the Iowa State Fair! First I rode down a giant yellow slide as tall as a skyscraper. I went so fast I thought I might fly! Then I saw the biggest pig there ever was—it was bigger than my dad! And they make statues out of food there- a butter cow?! As I ate a corn dog on a stick and cotton candy, I watched a Pirate Show. Aye Matey! Then I was a real farmer for Little Hands on the Farm. I walked so far I thought my legs would fall off, but it was worth it! My favorite part was definitely the food. My mom never lets me eat such good stuff! I can't wait for next year!

In just over a week, one of Iowa's great events begins. Nothing compare to the Iowa State Fair! Whether it's the food, the concerts, the animals, the contests, the rides or the shows there is something for everyone. One of Iowa's best kept secrets is surely the Butter Cow! This year be sure to check out the Butter Cow and the companion butter sculpture of the 80th Anniversary of Monopoly. Located in the Agricultural Building, this exhibit is Iowa to the core.

Get away. Relax. Roast a hot dog and s'mores! Camping is popular in Iowa, and you don't have to go far to get away from it all! With Labor Day, one of the larger camping weekends, as well as all of August remaining, there is plenty of time to load up your gear and head out for a night in the great outdoors. Des Moines offers four Conservation Board campgrounds within a half-hour drive. Jester Park, located along Saylorville Lake; Yellow Banks Park, located along the Des Moines River; Thomas Mitchell Park; and Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, located along the old Skunk River. All offer fishing, hiking, picnicking and the like for your relaxation and enjoyment. Whether you prefer a tent or a camper, it's all waiting for you at Iowa's great parks.