10 New Places to Try in Des Moines This Summer

Coffee shops, ice cream shops, and playgrounds are just a few of the new places to visit this summer in Des Moines. There is an old family-friendly restaurant making a comeback to Grimes and a new place to enjoy the views at Saylorville Lake. Check out our curated list of new places to visit in Des Moines this summer. 

1.  The Bake Shoppe

Address: 420 6th St Ste 110, Waukee, IA 50263

Hours: 

  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday & Tuesday: 6:30 AM-4:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 6:30 AM-4:30 PM
  • Thursday & Friday: 6:30 AM-5:00 PM
  • Saturday: 7:00 AM-4:00 PM

The Bake Shoppe has expanded to the Downtown Waukee Triangle. Indulge in freshly baked cakes, cookies and pastries or order something delicious for your next event.

2. The Breakfast Club 

Address: 2285 Grand Prairie Pkwy, Unit 180, Waukee, IA 50263

Hours: Open daily: 6:00 AM-2:30 PM

Westsiders rejoice! The Breakfast Club has opened in Waukee. It is one of the first businesses to open in the Kettlestone Central Development. Come and enjoy breakfast, brunch, coffee, and cocktails. 

3. Cups & Cones Ice Cream Shoppe 

Address: 1107 S 44th Street Ste 113, Cumming, IA 50061

Cumming, IA is exploding with new businesses and just in time for summer, Cups & Cones Ice Cream Shoppe has opened! Their hand-dipped ice cream looks perfect for a hot summer Iowa day.

4. Eden Coffee

Address: 420 6th St Ste 100, Waukee, IA 50263

Hours: 

  • Monday-Saturday: 6:00 AM-3:00 PM
  • Closed Sunday

Eden Coffee has opened in the Downtown Waukee Triangle. The open and welcoming cafe has coffee drinks, a few food items and plenty of places to relax. You can even bring Eden Cafe to you by renting an Eden Coffee Cart for your next event. 

Come play at the Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe in Des Moines. They have hundreds of board games, puzzles, food, themed drinks and more. This game lounge is an inviting space for everyone. 

5. Gray’s Lake Playground and Sprayground

Address: 2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA  50321

Gray’s Lake recently added a new playground and sprayground. The main playground has two towering structures with a variety of ways to climb and slide. They also have a smaller playground geared toward 2-5 year olds. Adjacent to the park is the sprayground with ground sprayers, a stream with interactive features and plenty of ways to get wet. The new playground and sprayground is located next to the beach concessions on the northeast corner of Gray’s Lake. Click here to learn all there is to do at Gray’s Lake. 

6. Jester Park Campground Playground

Address: 12130 NW St in Granger, IA 50109

We find ourselves at Jester Park throughout the year to enjoy all that it has to offer so we were very excited to learn that they opened a new Jester Park Campground Playground. The large playground will keep your big kids busy finding ways to climb to the top and your younger children can safely enjoy the 2-5 year old playground with plenty of obstacles to keep them busy. The park is surrounded by green space and large mature trees that should provide a little bit of shade. The park is located by the campgrounds which are on the northeast side of the park so set your directions to Jester Park Campground. See our full review of this new playground here. Follow on social media for an announcement on when the sprayground will open. 

7.  Lions Park 

Address: 725 NE 5th St, Grimes, IA 50111

Lions Park has recently had a major transformation in Grimes. Your big kids will love climbing the towering enclosed play structure and your littles will enjoy the smaller playground that is just for them. Throughout the playground, there are several styles of swings, a merry-go-round, and a few large shade sails.  Other amenities include pickleball courts, restrooms, and a small creek access for kids to explore. Hop on the trail and you can go up to the Hy-Vee Multiplex or keep going and you will connect to the Beaverbrooke Park Trail. You can access a parking lot on NE Little Beaver St or at NE Park St and NE 8th St. Take a picture with Leo the Lion but don’t climb on him as he can get hot on warm days. Here is our full review. 

8. Orlondo’s Pizza 

Address: 1601 NE 12th St STE 140, Grimes, IA, 50111 

Hours: 

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday-Thursday: 11:00 AM-10:00 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 11:00 AM-11:00 PM
  • Sunday: 11:00 AM-8:00 PM

Orlondo’s Pizza is back open in Grimes! This pizza and pasta restaurant was a Grimes favorite until it closed in 2019. They are in a new building but with the same great tasting pizzas. We have this on our list for our next family pizza night. 

9. The Soggy Frog Marina 

Address: 6170 NW Polk City Dr, Polk City, IA 50226

Hours: 

  • Monday-Friday: 11:00 AM-Close
  • Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM-Close

We can’t wait to visit The Soggy Frog Marina on Saylorville Lake. This marina bar and rooftop restaurant serves lunch, dinner, drinks, and live music in a waterfront setting. Their menu varies from bowls, to burgers & wings, and a variety of flatbread pizzas. Check out all there is to do around Saylorville Lake. 

10. Opening soon! 

  • Be on the lookout for Slick City, opening in West Des Moines soon. It will feature massive slides, air courts, an arcade, trapezes, and a zip line. 
  • Mullets is expanding to Waukee soon. 
  • Grounded by The Collective, the First Filipino coffee and matcha business in Des Moines will open in the Historic East Village of Des Moines. 
  • Happy Home Coffee is opening a storefront soon on Walnut Street in Des Moines.