You know you’re passionately addicted to travel when your destination doesn’t matter; you know you’re going to have a good time anywhere you go. Because I’ve been focused on staying within the United States for my travels lately, I’ve taken to looking at US destinations with direct flights from my hometown of Orlando, Florida. That’s how I came across the very wheelchair accessible Des Moines, Iowa, which is serviced by Allegiant Airlines from the Sanford airport near my home.
Like I do for every potential destination, I started doing my research. Accessible transportation options, check. Hotels with mobility accessible rooms, check. Plenty of wheelchair accessible things to do and attractions to visit, check. So, I reached out to Catch Des Moines to talk about the potential for a visit, and it turns out that they were already looking for me! The visit was meant to be, and it was some of the most fun I’ve had visiting a US destination. Check out my post below for the ultimate wheelchair user’s guide to accessible Des Moines, Iowa!
Wheelchair accessible things to do in Des Moines
Whether you’re into history, culture, food, or sports, you can find something fun to do in accessible Des Moines! A lot of the main visitor attractions in Des Moines are within rolling distance of the central downtown area. For places farther away, you can use their public bus service, or arrange for accessible taxi service with @Your Service, an amazing company that I used for the duration of my stay.
State Historical Museum of Iowa
You can find anything and everything you ever wanted to know about Iowa in the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Through various exhibits and collections, you can learn about life in Iowa before it became a state, all about local natural resources, and how Iowans have impacted government, policies, and issues over the years. My two favorite exhibits were the ones about Iowa’s bicycling history, including the colorful story of RAGBRAI, and the state’s legacy in film (Field of Dreams anyone?) and TV from the early 1900s to today.
Iowa State Capitol
II’ve been to all 50 states and visited at least two dozen state capitol buildings, and the one in Des Moines is by far my favorite. Also called the Iowa Statehouse, the building houses the Iowa Senate, House of Representatives, office of the Governor, and other major government offices. The building was constructed between 1871 and 1886, and is the only five domed capital in the country, with gold leaf and mosaics to spare. The wood used in the interior comes from Iowa forests, and what looks like wallpaper throughout the building is actually painted murals. You can go on a self-guided tour or go with a guide during a scheduled tour. Just make sure you don’t miss the stunning library worthy of a Harry Potter movie!
Downtown Farmer’s Market
I love a good farmers market, and the one occurring every Saturday from May 3 through October 25 in downtown Des Moines does not disappoint! I was told the downtown farmers market is the second largest in the country, and it’s celebrating it’s 50th season in 2025. The market supports farmers, growers, and artisan food entrepreneurs from all around the state, and you can find almost 300 vendors on any given Saturday during the season. Some of the offerings include produce, meat, cheese, eggs, baked goods, plants, flowers, and artisan packaged food. There are also plenty of local artists selling their unique works.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Located on twelve acres in a beautiful setting right along the Des Moines River, the Botanical Garden is a very relaxing oasis when you need a city break. You can explore tropical plants in the warm and humid dome, or marvel at the beautiful tulips in springtime along the many carefully manicured (and accessible) pathways outdoors. My favorite feature is the waterfall that you can actually roll underneath in your wheelchair. There’s also a nice café with both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the gardens if you need a snack break.
Shopping in East Village
The East Village is arguably the coolest district in Des Moines, located between the Iowa State Capitol and the Des Moines River downtown. It’s packed with locally owned shops, great restaurants, and small businesses that make it vibrant, fun, and diverse. You can grab some coffee and yummy pastries at Scenic Route Bakery, or a delicious lunch or dinner at the Iowa Taproom only a few blocks away. For shopping, you have to stop by Raygun, probably the most unique T-shirt shop I’ve ever seen. The East Village is pretty compact, so it’s super easy to get around in your wheelchair on the smooth sidewalks.
Blank Park Zoo
I was lucky to be in Des Moines during the Blank Park Zoo‘s Wild Lights festival in the evening, but it’s also a fantastic place to see a wide variety of animals from around the world during the day. Some of the exciting outdoor creatures and critters include tigers, otters, tortoises, and hogs. There are also indoor exhibits with creepy crawlies like insects, snakes, and frogs that children tend to love. The zoo has fun events throughout the year, like the Wild Lights Festival throughout April and May and Zoo Brew after hours throughout the summer for those 21 and older.
Iowa Cubs at Principal Park
Just a short bus or accessible taxi ride away from downtown Des Moines is Principal Park, home to the minor-league Iowa Cubs, the feeder team for the larger Chicago Cubs. There are plenty of wheelchair accessible seats scattered throughout the very nice stadium, and no matter where you sit you’ll have a great view of the Iowa State Capitol in the distance. Many of those accessible seats and spaces are also located undercover in case of drizzly weather.
Des Moines Art Center
As a docent, a.k.a. volunteer tour guide, at the Orlando Museum of Art and self identified art geek, I never miss a chance to visit an art museum any time I travel. Des Moines isn’t a large metropolitan area, so I didn’t really have any expectations for the Art Center. I was totally blown away by the pieces from their permanent collection, including paintings by Rothko, Basquiat, Picasso, and Monet, and works from up-and-coming contemporary artists. The building itself is architecturally impressive and has a fascinating history. This was easily one of the best smaller city museums I’ve been to.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
I love a city that prioritizes public art, so I thoroughly enjoyed relaxing in this sculpture park in the center of downtown Des Moines. It was also great to see sculptures from artists whose work I was introduced to in other Midwest cities. The park sits on 4.4 acres and is a collaboration between John and Mary Pappajohn, the city of Des Moines, and the Des Moines Arts Center, along with numerous corporate and private donors. Pack a picnic on a sunny day and enjoy the 31 sculptures around you!
Gray’s Lake Park
I’m very sensitive to the heat due to my multiple sclerosis, so any time I have the opportunity to be outdoors while traveling, I jump on it right away. I was so glad to spend a few hours at Gray’s Lake Park just outside downtown Des Moines, and I rolled the entire accessible and paved 2-mile trail and pedestrian bridge that go around the lake. This is another great spot for packing a picnic, enjoying the sunshine, and dog watching. The park also has an accessible playground for the kiddos.
Places to eat in accessible Des Moines
From ballpark food to elevated cuisine, you have plenty of delicious dining options in Des Moines. If you’re staying downtown, it’s easy to pick a great restaurant within rolling distance of your hotel. Here are some of my favorites.
Scenic Route Bakery. This is a fun bakery and café right in the middle of East Village just a few blocks away from the Iowa State Capitol. They serve delicious pastries, coffee, lunch, and all kinds of sweet treats.
Miller High Life Lounge. This 1960s-style locally owned corner tavern is the place to be before an Iowa Cubs game right next-door at Principal Park. Here you can get all of your comfort food favorites, including fried pickles, cheese curds, burgers, and more. I highly recommend the bacon wrapped tater tots if you don’t mind those spicy little jalapeños.
Clyde’s Fine Diner. Once you enter this upscale modern diner with modern records playing, you might be reminded of something you can’t quite put your finger on. The owner’s maternal grandfather was an animator for Popeye cartoons, and you’ll see some nods to that on the walls. Some of their specialty offerings include brussel sprouts, mojo pork sandwiches, and oysters, along with several made-in-house desserts. I’m not a drinker, so I was happy that they have a great selection of mocktails in addition to the cocktail and wine menu.
Americana. This is a lovely restaurant in downtown Des Moines serving standard American classic dishes with an upscale feel. Make sure you check out their amazing weekend brunches! This is also a great spot to eat before visiting the beautiful Pappajohn sculpture garden right across the street.
Iowa Taproom. While they have great locally brewed craft beers on tap, you don’t have to be a beer lover to enjoy a meal at this classic Midwest restaurant. You can try their burgers, sandwiches, and I was a big fan of their fish and chips. It’s also conveniently located within rolling distance of downtown hotels.
Accessible places to stay in Des Moines
Fortunately, you have several options to choose from when it comes to hotels with ADA accessible rooms in Des Moines. I highly recommend staying in the East Village, which is centrally located to most of the attractions and restaurants in and near downtown, or nearby right across the river.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown, 101 East Locust St.
- Staybridge Suites Des Moines Downtown by IHG, 201 East Locust St.
- AC Hotel Des Moines East Village, 401 East Grand Ave.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown, 120 Southwest Water St.
- Residence Inn Des Moines Downtown, 100 Southwest Water St.
How to get around with accessible transportation in Des Moines
Almost all of the places I visited in Des Moines were within rolling distance of my hotel. However, for attractions farther out, I used a local accessible transportation company called @Your Service. You can reach them at 515-285-2831, or by email at rideatyourservice2022@gmail.com. If you can, ask for Mike to be your driver because he was absolutely incredible during my stay.
You can also get around using the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, also known as DART, which is basically the public bus system. Line 4 passes through downtown Des Moines, and line 7 can get you to the Blank Park zoo. You can pay for your fare using exact change, a DART token, a bus pass, or a pass purchased on the MyDART app.
Adaptive sports organizations in Des Moines
Adaptive Sports Iowa. ASI has adaptive sports programs in cities around the state of Iowa that cater to the unique skill set of disabled athletes. ASI provides opportunities like wheelchair basketball, beep baseball, cycling, youth sled hockey, and much more. ASI allows everyone from beginners to season pros to participate in their activities, and you don’t have to be a local. You can contact them at 888-777-8881 or email them through their website contact form to ask about adaptive sports opportunities before your visit to Des Moines.
Can Play Adapted Programs. Since 2012, Can Play has empowered thousands of children of all ages and abilities to play adaptive sports. By adapting the pace, style, and rules of the game, they ensure inclusivity and safety and all of their programs. Can Play has adapted programs in the Des Moines community that includes soccer, basketball, and diamond ball. Each sport is tailor to meet the needs of participants with autism and developmental needs.
