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Home > United States > 46 Date Ideas in Des Moines: Romantic Things To Do

46 Date Ideas in Des Moines: Romantic Things To Do

By Dymphe / February 25, 2023

Couples will love the date ideas in Des Moines. These are perfect if you're looking for romantic things to do in Des Moines.

Des Moines is a city in the United States. It's the capital of the state of Iowa. One of the best sights you find there is the Iowa State Capitol.

Want to go on a romantic date? Then there are many amazing things to do in the city!

For example, couples that want to have fun can go to Escape Chambers Des Moines. Here you can play an escape game together.

Those who want to relax can visit the East Village Spa. This is a very romantic experience for sure!

And there are many other wonderful date ideas in Des Moines. For example, you can play escape games together at The Operating Room. Or you can attend an event at the Wells Fargo Arena!

Because of all the romantic things to do in Des Moines, you'll have a lovely time.

Table of Contents

  • 1. Play an Escape Game Together at Escape Chambers Des Moines
  • 2. Visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: Nice Date Idea in Des Moines With Nature
  • 3. Play Golf Together at the Waveland Golf Course
  • 4. Relax Together at the East Village Spa: Perfect Date Idea in Des Moines That’s Very Relaxing
  • 5. Take Photos With Your Partner at the Most Photogenic Places in Des Moines
  • 6. Play Arcade Games With Your Partner at The Operating Room
  • 7. Enjoy Tea Together at Eden Tea: Romantic Date Idea in Des Moines If You Want To Relaxing
  • 8. Attend an Event at the Wells Fargo Arena
  • 9. Go to 100th St. Corner Cafe For Breakfast With Your Partner
  • 10. Attend Performances Together at the Des Moines Civic Center
  • 11. Have Fun at the Iowa State Fair: Amazing Date Idea in Des Moines With Attractions
  • 12. Get Delicious Juices Together at Lifestyle Juices
  • 13. Jump Together at the Sky Zone Trampoline Park Des Moines
  • 14. See the Iowa State Capitol With Your Partner: Very Interesting Date Idea in Des Moines
  • 15. Climb Together at Climb Iowa
  • 16. Go to Centro For Delicious Lunch With Your Partner
  • 17. Visit the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden: Wonderful Date Idea in Des Moines If You Like Nature
  • 18. See a Movie With Your Partner at Fleur Cinema & Cafe
  • 19. Have High-Quality Coffee Together at Horizon Line Coffee
  • 20. See the Salisbury House & Gardens Together
  • 21. Go To North Forty Miniature Golf: Fun Date Idea in Des Moines If You Like Mini Golf
  • 22. Go on a Pizza Date Together at Dough Co. Pizza
  • 23. Go to the Blank Park Zoo and See Animals With Your Partner
  • 24. Roller Skate Together at Skate South
  • 25. Go to La Mie Bakery: Romantic Date Idea in Des Moines With Delicious Pastries
  • 26. Do a Day Trip to Omaha
  • 27. Attend a Show Together at Temple Theater
  • 28. Visit the Des Moines Art Center: Perfect Date Idea in Des Moines For Those Who Love Art
  • 29. Go for a Walk Together at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  • 30. Experience Fine Dining Together at Django
  • 31. Bowl Together at the Air Lanes Bowling Center
  • 32. Go to Black Cat Ice Cream: Amazing Date Idea in Des Moines With Delicious Ice Cream
  • 33. Go to Adventureland Park and Have Fun Together
  • 34. Have Breakfast Together at Mullets Restaurant
  • 35. Have Plant-Based Food For Dinner Together at Dirt Burger: Very Nice Date Idea in Des Moines For Vegans
  • 36. Shop With Your Partner at Merle Hay Mall
  • 37. Attend the Des Moines Arts Festival Together
  • 38. Go to the Hoyt Sherman Place and See a Show With Your Partner
  • 39. Have Fun Together at the Des Moines Taco Fest: Amazing Date Idea in Des Moines If You Love Food
  • 40. Learn New Things Together at the Science Center of Iowa
  • 41. Visit The Coffeesmith For a Coffee Date: Perfect Date Idea in Des Moines With Amazing Coffee
  • 42. Learn About the History of Iowa With Your Partner at the State Historical Building
  • 43. Go to the Des Moines’ Downtown Farmers’ Market
  • 44. Have Lunch With Your Partner at Eatery A
  • 45. Visit the Living History Farms: Great Date Idea in Des Moines If You Want To Learn Something
  • 46. Enjoy Coffee Together at Friedrichs Coffee

1. Play an Escape Game Together at Escape Chambers Des Moines

One of the best date ideas in Des Moines is going to Escape Chambers Des Moines.

Here, you can find escape rooms that are a lot of fun.

An escape room is a room that you have to escape from by solving puzzles. And you have a limited amount of time to do this. In this case 60 minutes.

Moreover, the rooms have a certain theme and it is a very immersive experience.

Also, what's great is that you have to work together with your partner. Because of this, this activity is a great way to bond. This makes it, even more, one of the most romantic things to do in Des Moines.

2. Visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: Nice Date Idea in Des Moines With Nature

Do you both love nature? Then, going to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is one of the most romantic things to do in Des Moines.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

You can find a conservatory here where you can see beautiful taxa from all around the world.

Besides that, there are many other plants in the botanical garden that are lovely to see during a stroll.

Flowers at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Also, there is a cafe where you and your partner can have a drink together. This makes going here, even more, one of the best date ideas in Des Moines.

Bench at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

3. Play Golf Together at the Waveland Golf Course

The Waveland Golf Course is a public golf course. Playing golf with your partner at this place is one of the most fun date ideas in Des Moines for sure.

What's great is that this is a beautiful golf course with 18 holes. Nature makes this place very relaxing, which is great.

So if you both love golf and love nature, going here is one of the most romantic things to do in Des Moines.

4. Relax Together at the East Village Spa: Perfect Date Idea in Des Moines That’s Very Relaxing

A great way to relax together is going to the East Village Spa. This is one of the most relaxing date ideas in Des Moines for sure.

This is a wonderful spa where you can do a large variety of treatments with your partner.

For example, you can do couples massages here that are very relaxing and intimate.

After doing this treatment, you'll be ready for other romantic things to do in Des Moines!

5. Take Photos With Your Partner at the Most Photogenic Places in Des Moines

You can find many beautiful and photogenic places in Des Moines. Exploring these together with your partner is one of the best date ideas in Des Moines for sure.

One of the most photogenic places is the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Besides that, there are other photogenic places with nature in the city as well.

Flowers in Des Moines

Also, you could take photos of some of the buildings in the city.

For example, the red Travelers umbrella sign is great for photos as well.

At each of these spots, you and your partner can take romantic couple photos together.

Pink flowers in Des Moines

This is a lot of fun to do, and what's great is that you'll end up with a collection of amazing photos of you two! This makes taking photos, even more, one of the most romantic things to do in Des Moines.

6. Play Arcade Games With Your Partner at The Operating Room

Playing games together can be a lot of fun.

You can go to one of the locations of The Operating Room in Des Moines.

At each place, you can play arcade games with your partner.

Also, you'll find pinball machines here that are fun to play together.

Besides that, this place is great for having drinks together as well.

7. Enjoy Tea Together at Eden Tea: Romantic Date Idea in Des Moines If You Want To Relaxing

Do you both love tea? If so, you can go to Eden Tea together. Going to Eden Tea belongs to the best date ideas in Des Moines for sure.

This is a place where you can have bubble tea with your partner that is delicious.

What's great is that there are a lot of flavors to choose from at this place, so there's likely a flavor you both like.

Also, you can combine having bubble tea here with other romantic things to do in Des Moines. For example, you can visit a museum after going here. That way, you'll have an even more romantic time together.

8. Attend an Event at the Wells Fargo Arena

The Wells Fargo Arena is a large stadium where a lot of different events take place.

For example, you can attend football and hockey games here. This is perfect if you both like sports.

View of the Wells Fargo Arena

Also, lots of musicians perform at this place.

So there is likely an event that you and your partner both like. And because the size of this place is very impressive, going here is amazing.

9. Go to 100th St. Corner Cafe For Breakfast With Your Partner

Having breakfast at the 100th St. Corner Cafe is one of the most romantic things to do in Des Moines in the morning.

This is a place with amazing food and high-quality service.

You have to try the pancakes when you go here.

Also, what's great is that it has a very casual atmosphere, which can be great for a date!

10. Attend Performances Together at the Des Moines Civic Center

At the Des Moines Civic Center, you can attend a variety of events with your partner. Going to one of these events is one of the most amazing date ideas in Des Moines.

For example, concerts take place at this place.

Also, there are Broadway shows, comedy shows, ballet shows, and many other types of shows.

Furthermore, the center is a very modern building, which adds to the experience!

11. Have Fun at the Iowa State Fair: Amazing Date Idea in Des Moines With Attractions

The Iowa State Fair is a fun event that takes place in the city once every year. It takes place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

It is a very large event during which you can see all kinds of exhibits, and much more.

Ferris wheel at the Iowa State Fairgrounds

There is live entertainment, food, and music. And there are many attractions.

So going here is definitely a very fun activity.

12. Get Delicious Juices Together at Lifestyle Juices

Juices can be delicious, and because of that going to Lifestyle Juices is perfect for a date.

This is a juice shop where you can get all kinds of smoothies and fruit juices.

For this, the place uses fresh fruit, which is great! And the smoothies are very delicious. So if you're looking for romantic things to do in Des Moines, this is amazing!

13. Jump Together at the Sky Zone Trampoline Park Des Moines

Going to Sky Zone Trampoline Park Des Moines is one of the most fun date ideas in Des Moines.

This is an indoor trampoline park where you can find a lot of trampolines next to each other. You and your partner can jump on these and have a great time.

Also, you find foam pits, an obstacle course, and other fun attractions here.

If you both like being active, going here is a lot of fun for you for sure.

14. See the Iowa State Capitol With Your Partner: Very Interesting Date Idea in Des Moines

The Iowa State Capitol is where you can find the government of the state. And the building is in the city of Des Moines.

Flowers and the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines

Seeing this building is great if you both love architecture.

The building is very impressive to see and features a neoclassical architectural style.

Ceiling of the Iowa State Capitol

Besides that, you can do a tour of the building, during which you can see the beautiful interior of the building. Moreover, you'll learn new things during this activity, which is very interesting.

Stairs at the Iowa State Capitol

15. Climb Together at Climb Iowa

One of the most active date ideas in Des Moines is going to Climb Iowa. Going here is a lot of fun and perfect if you're looking for romantic things to do in Des Moines.

This is a large indoor climbing gym where you can find many climbing walls.

Going indoor rock climbing is a lot of fun. And what's great is that there are routes for every level.

16. Go to Centro For Delicious Lunch With Your Partner

Getting lunch at Centro Des Moines is one of the most amazing activities for couples.

You can have delicious Italian food at this place that you'll both like for sure.

Moreover, what's great is that you can get both very unique dishes as well as more traditional dishes here.

And the food is very delicious!

Also, the atmosphere of the restaurant is perfect for a romantic date with your partner!

17. Visit the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden: Wonderful Date Idea in Des Moines If You Like Nature

Another one of the best date ideas in Des Moines is going to the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens.

This is a lovely park where you can find an Asian pavilion. Also, there are many other Asian elements in the garden.

Robert D. Ray Asian Garden

This is lovely to see, and it makes the gardens perfect for a romantic stroll together!

18. See a Movie With Your Partner at Fleur Cinema & Cafe

Seeing a movie together is one of the most romantic things to do in Des Moines.

One of the best movie theaters to go to with your partner is Fleur Cinema and Cafe.

This is an independent movie theater where you can see Hollywood films.

But you can also go here to see arthouse movies together, which is great for a date too! That's especially the case because you likely don't know these movies!

19. Have High-Quality Coffee Together at Horizon Line Coffee

If both you and your partner love coffee, going to Horizon Line Coffee is lovely.

This is a coffee shop that roasts its own coffee. Because of this, you can be sure your coffee will be very fresh and delicious! Moreover, this place is all about high-quality coffee.

Also, what's great is that the interior of this coffee shop is very bright and pretty. This makes it the perfect setting for a romantic date.

20. See the Salisbury House & Gardens Together

You and your partner can visit the Salisbury House & Gardens. This place is perfect if you're looking for date ideas in Des Moines.

You can find a historic home at this place that is very large.

Salisbury House & Gardens

It features lovely architecture and the garden is beautiful as well.

You and your partner can go here to do a tour of the building. And you can go for a stroll in the gardens!

Also, there are guided tours during which you can learn new things together.

21. Go To North Forty Miniature Golf: Fun Date Idea in Des Moines If You Like Mini Golf

One of the most fun romantic things to do in Des Moines is going to North Forty Miniature Golf.

This is a miniature golf course where you and your partner can have a lot of fun playing the game.

It is a beautiful place with nature that makes your date relaxing as well.

22. Go on a Pizza Date Together at Dough Co. Pizza

Going on a pizza date can be a very romantic experience.

For delicious pizzas, you can go to Dough Co. Pizza.

This is a pizza restaurant where you can get New York-style thin crust pizzas that are amazing!

23. Go to the Blank Park Zoo and See Animals With Your Partner

If you both enjoy seeing animals, going to the Blank Park Zoo is one of the best date ideas in Des Moines.

Bird at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines

This is a small zoo that is the only zoo in the state of Iowa. You can find about 800 animals at the zoo.

Because it is not a very large zoo, you can see everything in about 2.5 hours, which is the perfect amount of time for a date!

Animal at the Blank Park Zoo

24. Roller Skate Together at Skate South

If you both love roller skating, you can go to Skate South together.

This is a roller skating rink with adult nights during which you can have a lot of fun. These adult nights are wonderful if you're looking for romantic things to do in Des Moines.

During these nights, you can also expect great music that makes your date even better!

25. Go to La Mie Bakery: Romantic Date Idea in Des Moines With Delicious Pastries

Going to La Mie Bakery is another one of the best date ideas in Des Moines.

This is a bakery with three locations in the city.

You and your partner can go here to have breakfast together.

Besides that, this place serves beautiful and delicious pastries as well! Combine this with a delicious cup of coffee, and you have the perfect date in the city!

26. Do a Day Trip to Omaha

When you are in the city, you could also do a day trip with your partner.

A city that is near Des Moines is the city of Omaha. By car, it takes about 2 hours to get there, which is very doable for a day trip. This is lovely if you're looking for romantic things to do in Des Moines!

View of buildings

You can find a lot of great sights in the city that you can visit together. For example, you can visit the Joslyn Art Museum with your partner.

Also, there are beautiful parks and gardens.

And there are many places with entertainment in Omaha.

Besides that, doing a day trip in itself is a lot of fun and very romantic to do together, as you go on an adventure!

27. Attend a Show Together at Temple Theater

Going to the Temple Theater is a very romantic experience for couples.

This is a performing arts venue with a wide variety of shows. For example, concerts take place at the theater.

Besides that, what's great is that this theater is a historic building. It features a Beaux Arts style design, that is very beautiful!

28. Visit the Des Moines Art Center: Perfect Date Idea in Des Moines For Those Who Love Art

If you both love art, this is one of the most amazing date ideas in Des Moines for you.

You can go to the Des Moines Art Center.

This is an art museum where you can find a large collection of a variety of modern and contemporary art.

For example, you can find art by Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol at this place.

Moreover, you can find paintings, sculptures, and many other types of art here.

Also, what's great is that there is no admission fee!

29. Go for a Walk Together at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Another great activity to do if you both love art is going to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. This park is very nice if you want to find romantic things to do in Des Moines.

This is a park that you can find in downtown Des Moines.

You can find a lot of large sculptures at this place, and it is great to go here for a romantic walk while you see these!

Sculpture in Des Moines

30. Experience Fine Dining Together at Django

If you want to experience fine dining with your partner, you can go to Django.

This is a wonderful restaurant where you can have delicious French food together.

You can have all kinds of classic French dishes here.

Also, the restaurant serves delicious hamburgers.

And the restaurant is a very comfortable place with the perfect atmosphere for a date!

31. Bowl Together at the Air Lanes Bowling Center

Another one of the best date ideas in Des Moines is bowling with your partner.

You can go to the Air Lanes Bowling Center for this.

This is a lovely bowling alley with lots of lanes.

Also, what's great is that you can have food and drinks at this place as well! This is also why going here is one of the most romantic things to do in Des Moines.

Moreover, what's great is that you can experience glow in the dark bowling here too! This is a very unique experience.

32. Go to Black Cat Ice Cream: Amazing Date Idea in Des Moines With Delicious Ice Cream

You can go to Black Cat Ice Cream with your partner.

This is an ice cream shop where you can have small batch artisanal ice cream together.

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A post shared by Black Cat Ice Cream (@blackcaticecream)

Moreover, the ice cream at this place is very delicious! And there are some very unique flavors that you can choose from. So that's great for a date!

33. Go to Adventureland Park and Have Fun Together

If you want to have fun together, going to Adventureland Park is one of the most romantic things to do in Des Moines.

This is a theme park where you can find more than 100 different rides and attractions.

You can find roller coasters at this place and lots of other fun things.

34. Have Breakfast Together at Mullets Restaurant

A great place to have breakfast with your partner is Mullets Restaurant. Having breakfast here is one of the best date ideas in Des Moines in the morning.

This is a restaurant with delicious food and a lot of different breakfast items to choose from. So I'm sure you and your partner can have a dish that you both like.

Also, the atmosphere of this place is wonderful!

What's great too is to have brunch at this place.

35. Have Plant-Based Food For Dinner Together at Dirt Burger: Very Nice Date Idea in Des Moines For Vegans

If you enjoy plant-based food, this is a lovely activity for you.

You can go to Dirt Burger.

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A post shared by Dirt Burger (@dirtburgerdm)

This is a restaurant that serves delicious vegan burgers that I'm sure you'll love! And besides that, there are other vegan fast food options to choose from.

36. Shop With Your Partner at Merle Hay Mall

Shopping with your partner can be one of the most fun date ideas in Des Moines.

You can go to the Merle Hay Mall, which is a shopping center with lots of different shops. In total, you can find about 90 different stores at this place.

It is great to go here for a stroll while looking for products together.

Also, there are restaurants where you can have dinner after shopping. That's also why visiting this mall belongs to the most romantic things to do in Des Moines.

37. Attend the Des Moines Arts Festival Together

Once a year, you and your partner can attend the Des Moines Arts Festival.

This is a festival during which you can see a lot of different visual arts.

And besides that, there is live music and other entertainment. So going here will be a very fun activity.

38. Go to the Hoyt Sherman Place and See a Show With Your Partner

Going to the Hoyt Sherman Place is one of the most romantic things to do in Des Moines.

This is a historic theater that dates back to the year 1877.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hoyt Sherman Place (@hoytshermanplace)

The interior of the theater looks very special and features all kinds of details in its design. This makes attending a show at this theater a very special experience.

You can attend a large variety of performances here.

For example, there are talks, comedy shows, concerts, and many other types of shows.

39. Have Fun Together at the Des Moines Taco Fest: Amazing Date Idea in Des Moines If You Love Food

Do you and your partner both love tacos? Then, you should not miss out on going to the Des Moines Taco Festival. Attending this festival is one of the most fun date ideas in Des Moines.

During this event, which takes place once every year, you can try out a large variety of delicious tacos. This is perfect for a unique date with your partner!

40. Learn New Things Together at the Science Center of Iowa

Learning new things with your partner can be a lot of fun. And because of that, going to the Science Center of Iowa is amazing for a date.

This is a science museum where you can find a lot of interactive exhibits that let you learn about science.

Also, there are events and shows that are very interesting!

Because the exhibits and other things at this place are very unique, this place is perfect for a date!

41. Visit The Coffeesmith For a Coffee Date: Perfect Date Idea in Des Moines With Amazing Coffee

If you and your partner are coffee lovers, going to The Coffeesmith is amazing. You will definitely like this place if you want to find romantic things to do in Des Moines.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Coffeesmith (@yourcoffeesmith)

Here, you can have the perfect coffee date because the coffee is amazing.

You can have delicious coffee at this place with beautiful latte art.

Besides that, this place serves all kinds of pastries, such as slices of cake that you can have with your coffee.

Also, this coffee shop is a very relaxing place, which is great for a date.

42. Learn About the History of Iowa With Your Partner at the State Historical Building

One of the most interesting date ideas in Des Moines is going to the State Historical Museum of Iowa.

This is a museum with all kinds of exhibits that together tell the story of the state.

Learning about this together can be great!

43. Go to the Des Moines’ Downtown Farmers’ Market

The Des Moines' Downtown Farmers' Market is a great place to visit with your partner.

Going for a stroll at this place is a very fun activity.

You can shop for fresh produce at this place. And there is a lot of food that you can eat at the market as well!

Besides that, the hundreds of vendors are selling more, and it is great to check this out together.

44. Have Lunch With Your Partner at Eatery A

Having lunch together at Eatery A is one of the most romantic things to do in Des Moines during lunch.

You and your partner can have delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes at this place.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eatery A (@eaterya_dsm)

What's great is that this restaurant combines traditional and contemporary food. This leads to unique dishes that I'm sure you'll both like!

Besides that, you can also get delicious coffee and tea at this place.

45. Visit the Living History Farms: Great Date Idea in Des Moines If You Want To Learn Something

Living History Farms is a very interesting interactive outdoor museum to visit together. If you want to learn something, visiting this museum is one of the most interesting date ideas in Des Moines.

You can learn about the agricultural history of Iowa at this place.

And you can learn about this in a unique way, by depicting the lives of people that lived in the state in the past.

For example, you can see demonstrations of old crafts, such as candle and pottery making.

46. Enjoy Coffee Together at Friedrichs Coffee

Another wonderful place to visit if you both love coffee is Friedrichs Coffee.

This is a wholesale bean supplier that also has retail locations.

At the coffee shops of this company, you can experience very fresh coffee and teas. And these have an incredible taste!

Also, there is a large variety of drinks to choose from!

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Tags: Des Moines
  • Hi there! I’m Dymphe, a travel blogger and content creator with a passion for exploring beautiful destinations and travel photography. I’ve been traveling for years and I decided to start this blog to help you do the same in Europe, the United States, and beyond. More about me.

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