Looking for Des Moines restaurants and bars with buzz, a fresh cup of coffee, and locally-owned shops and businesses to support? The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand district is located less than a mile west of downtown Des Moines, about a mile south of Drake University and a mile north of Water Works Park. We are close to our community’s greatest cultural assets and easily accessible by car, bike, bus, or on foot!
Spanning the historic heart of Des Moines from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway on the east to 42nd Street on the west, Ingersoll and Grand Avenues continue to serve as a hub for Des Moines residents and visitors. We excavated trolley tracks to pave the way for an enhanced streetscape that encourages walkability and boosts community connection. Parking a few blocks from your destination invites exploration.
Whether you’re visiting our district for the first time, a longtime resident, or pass through on your commute, here’s how you can find your spot on The Avenues.

How to Get Here

By Car

From Interstate 235, take Exit 5B for 42nd Street or Exit 6 for 31st Street. Head south until you reach Ingersoll or Grand Avenues. From Downtown, take Ingersoll or Grand westward until you reach MLK Jr. Parkway. See below for parking options.

By Bike

Ingersoll is the most bike-friendly corridor in the metro thanks to our off-street, protected bike lanes. Ingersoll connects to downtown via the MLK Jr. Trail. Find a B-Cycle Station at 2301 Ingersoll. Bike parking is available throughout the corridor.

By Foot

Ingersoll Avenue is one of the most walkable and accessible streets in the city! The district boasts an impressive streetscape including enhanced landscaping, wide sidewalks, curb extensions and pedestrian-friendly signals.

By Bus

DART routes 11 and 60 provide frequent service to the Ingersoll Avenue corridor. For more information, including route maps and timetables, visit DART. The streetscape also includes enhanced amenities for transit riders, including art bus shelters.

Parking Tips

The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand is a bustling and dynamic business district which is home to some of the city’s favorite shops and restaurants. Like any popular neighborhood, demand for parking can be high at peak times of the day and evenings, but with various parking options to choose from, getting here is easy.

Here are some tips to find parking on Ingersoll Avenue – even during those busy times!

  • Some shops and restaurants have their own private, off-street parking lots. Check these lots first if you are dining or shopping with them! See the map below to see which businesses have dedicated parking lots.
  • The 280+ public, on-street parallel parking stalls along Ingersoll Avenue are always free, but please be mindful of the 2-hour parking limit between 9 AM–4 PM.
  • Not seeing a parking space directly in front of your desired destination? Try parking 1-2 blocks away and enjoy a streetscape stroll on the way to your dinner date.
  • Ingersoll is also accessible by bus, bike, foot or rideshare apps if you want to ditch your driving plans. See above for details.

For Businesses

Ingersoll Business Owner
Parking Resource Toolkit

Map

Check out the map below for details on where to find on-street and off-street parking along the corridor!