Most artists have a muse: a great beauty or unshakable idea that feeds their creativity. Stunning oak trees bookend The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand and surrounding neighborhoods, so even in the urban center of Des Moines there’s a connection to nature. Let these woodsy wonders inspire a vibey weekend getaway.
Food & Drinks
Catch a caffeine fix at Chain & Spoke, a cafe/bike shop especially popular among active 20-and-30-somethings.
Culinary art at Harbinger
Cheese Bar is a gooey go-to spot for lunch or happy hour. Tuesday through Friday from 2-5 p.m., the “bubbles and bites” menu features $6 glasses of Champagne or sparkling wine and $6 bites.
Make a reservation at Harbinger, an inventive, vegetable-focused small plates concept. The ever-evolving menu features ala carte snacks and a five-course Chef’s Tasting experience. Joe Tripp has earned seven James Beard nominations for Best Chef Midwest.
Toast your adventures at The Bartender’s Handshake, a chummy craft cocktail bar. If the tufted leather booths are full in the front of the house, wander to the back patio, which carries the retro aesthetic.
Art & Activities
“Black Crown of Recurring Loss” by Larassa Kabel
Pedal west along the Ingersoll Avenue streetscape towards 42nd Street. Tucked in a pocket park next to Plymouth Place, you’ll find a stunning cast bronze sculpture by Des Moines-based ‘memento mori’ artist Larassa Kabel. The intertwining antlers of the deer represent a deeper meaning.
According to the artist’s statement:
“Love is an essential and mysterious force in our lives, but our culture ignores the reality that grief is the price of love.
The truth is that love, like everything else, will eventually end. We are so afraid of the pain of loss that we pretend it will never happen. I think this is a huge mistake. By acknowledging the temporary nature of our relationships, we are more likely to appreciate what we have while we have it.
I am interested in the ways that people try to hold on to something they love for “forever”. The irony that someone would harvest a deer in order to recreate it as a taxidermy mount, a lesser version of itself, is fascinating.”
EXPLORE ANOTHER ITINERARY: Public Art & Parks for Families | Fine Art & Fine Dining
“Enchanted Devine Feminine” by Amy Putney Koenig & Molly Free
Book a tarot reading with Enchanted Tarot reader, Anu, to see if your souls are aligned. This mystical shop is filled with crystals, candles, incense, magical jewelry, spells, books and more. Look for the “Enchanted Divine Feminine” mural by artists Amy Putney Koenig & Molly Free to know you’re in the right spot.
Amble through Woodland Cemetery, where Civil War-era headstones and Victorian mausoleums hold stories from the past. Bring paper and crayons to create grave rubbings.
Connect to Nature
The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand streetscape connects to Central Iowa’s extensive trail system. If you didn’t bring your own wheels, rent from the bike share system. Access Waterworks Park and chill at Des Moines Biergarten, or ride northeast through Beaverdale and use the Inter-Urban Trail to get to the bustling Highland Park District.
This itinerary is part of our “Expand Your Palate/Palette” series, highlighting the premier culinary and creative opportunities along The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand. This project paid for in part by the Iowa Tourism Office. Words by Brianne Sanchez. Visuals by Good Burt Media.
