01 / 14 MIN WALK
Principal Park
across the water
Triple-A baseball across the river. Walk over for an Iowa Cubs game, then head home along the riverfront.
Try this: Berm seats on a warm evening.
Walking directions ↗
THE ROWAT FIELD GUIDE
A few blocks.
A whole city.
The river at your shoulder. The Village up the street.
Coffee, dinner, a show. Then the walk home.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Start at your front door.
19 places to explore
A drink before the game. A walk along the river after.
02 / 8 MIN WALK
Farmers' Market
Court Ave · Sat, May-Oct
The Downtown Farmers’ Market fills Court Avenue on Saturday mornings, May through October.
Try this: Coffee, breakfast and something fresh to take home.
Walking directions ↗03 / 10 MIN WALK
El Bait Shop
across the bridge, SW 2nd
A downtown beer bar with a wide selection of Iowa brews, a short walk over the bridge.
Try this: Ask for a local beer you haven’t tried.
Walking directions ↗04 / 9 MIN WALK
Court Ave district
over the bridge
Restaurants, brewpubs and cocktail bars, one bridge west of Rowat.
Try this: A patio table in summer or a booth in winter.
Walking directions ↗05 / 9 MIN WALK
Zombie Burger
300 E Grand, the Village
Burgers and shakes in the heart of the East Village.
Try this: A burger and a shake to share.
Walking directions ↗06 / 9 MIN WALK
Lucca
4th & E Locust
Italian dining on East Locust, with a short set menu and an intimate dining room.
Try this: The four-course dinner.
Walking directions ↗07 / 8 MIN WALK
The Breakfast Club at 418
418 E Grand · ground floor
Brunch and morning cocktails at 418 East Grand, Rowat’s sister building.
Try this: The griddle special and a coffee.
Walking directions ↗08 / 8 MIN WALK
Iowa Taproom
E 3rd St
Iowa breweries under one roof, with a long tap list to explore.
Try this: A flight of Iowa beers.
Walking directions ↗09 / 10 MIN WALK
Wooly's
504 E Locust
Live music on East Locust, from local acts to touring artists.
Try this: Choose a show and make an evening of it.
Walking directions ↗10 / 9 MIN WALK
Scenic Route Bakery
E Locust St
Pastries, espresso and a neighborhood morning crowd on East Locust.
Try this: A warm croissant and a coffee.
Walking directions ↗11 / 8 MIN WALK
Gong Fu Tea
E 6th St
A tea shop on East 6th with an extensive loose-leaf selection.
Try this: Ask the team to help you find a new favorite.
Walking directions ↗12 / 9 MIN WALK
Science Center of Iowa
W MLK Jr Pkwy
Hands-on exhibits and a planetarium just across the bridge.
Try this: A planetarium show.
Walking directions ↗13 / 11 MIN WALK
State Historical Museum
600 E Locust
Iowa history and changing exhibitions on East Locust.
Try this: The history galleries and museum shop.
Walking directions ↗14 / 15 MIN WALK
State Capitol
E 9th, up the hill
The gold dome up the hill connects to Rowat’s story: John Rowat worked on the Capitol’s stonework.
Try this: The law library and a walk around the grounds.
Walking directions ↗15 / 9 MIN WALK
Raygun
505 E Grand
Midwestern humor in shirts, gifts and cards on East Grand.
Try this: A Des Moines shirt and a few postcards.
Walking directions ↗16 / 4 MIN WALK
East Bank Riverwalk
the river, your side
Join the riverfront loop four minutes from your door. Follow the water, cross the bridges and take in the skyline.
Try this: The loop at dusk.
Walking directions ↗17 / 12 MIN WALK
Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Dr
Gardens and a geodesic conservatory along the east bank of the river.
Try this: The conservatory on a winter afternoon.
Walking directions ↗18 / 12 MIN WALK
Brenton Skating Plaza
Robert D. Ray Dr · winter
Outdoor skating with downtown in view during the winter season.
Try this: An evening skate under the lights.
Walking directions ↗19 / 9 MIN WALK
Hy-Vee Fourth + Court
420 Court Ave · 7a-9p
A full grocery store, pharmacy and coffee stop across the bridge on Court Avenue.
Try this: The takeaway counters on a busy weeknight.
Walking directions ↗ONE SATURDAY
No car keys required.
Scenic Route Bakery
the Village · 9 min
Coffee and a warm croissant in the Village.
Farmers' Market
over the bridge · 8 min
Cross the Court Avenue bridge for the market. Pick up something for dinner.
The Riverwalk loop
your side · 4 min
Follow the water and cross both bridges on the 1.2-mile loop.
State Historical Museum
E Locust · 11 min
Spend an afternoon in the Iowa history galleries.
The courtyard
home · 0 min
Back home for a drink and a seat in the courtyard.
Dinner in the Village
six blocks · 9 min
Head to Lucca for dinner, or keep it casual at Zombie Burger.
A night at the ballpark
Principal Park · 14 min
When the Cubs are home, walk over for a game at Principal Park.
Fireworks from the roof
the clubhouse · 0 min
On fireworks nights, finish the evening with a view from the roof.
The quiet end
E Vine St · 0 min
A last walk down Vine Street, and home.
THE SITE HAS A STORY.
1872 / the stonecutter arrives
A Scot with a chisel
John Rowat arrived in Des Moines from Scotland in 1872 and went to work on the new State Capitol. The stonecutter’s work became part of the city taking shape around him.
1882 / the yard opens
The yard on Vine
In 1882, Rowat opened his own stone business. Granite, limestone and marble passed through the yard on Vine Street, between the rail lines and the river.
1930 / three generations
Father, son, grandson
The business passed from John to his son, and then to his grandson. For more than a century, this yard supplied stone for Des Moines buildings and monuments.
2017 / the last cut on vine
The last cut on Vine Street
The company moved to Norwalk in 2017 after 135 years on Vine Street. The site, the name and the old stone derrick remained.
2021 / the derrick stays
The derrick stays
Rowat Lofts opened a new chapter for the yard. The old derrick was restored in the courtyard, surrounded by apartments, brick, metal and cedar.
2026 / the south village
The quiet end of the Village
Today, the riverfront, downtown and the East Village are all close by. Vine Street is home: a courtyard downstairs, the skyline upstairs, and the city beyond.
AROUND DES MOINES
On the calendar.
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