Things to Do Alone in Des Moines (Free Art, Capitol, Trails)

Des Moines is a good city to try going out alone because so much of it costs nothing to enter. The Art Center, the State Historical Museum, Capitol tours and a downtown sculpture park are all free, so you can leave after twenty minutes if you want to and lose nothing. A paved trail then runs from the river to Gray's Lake.

All hours below were checked on 2026-11-01 against the official page linked in each entry.

A capital where entry is free

Des Moines Art Center. At 4700 Grand Avenue. The museum says admission is always free. It is open Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Mondays and several federal holidays. The current exhibition, "Let Us Gather in a Flourishing Way", shows contemporary Latinx painting until 24 January 2027 (Art Center: visit, Art Center home). A free museum with a cafe on site is as low-stakes as a first solo outing gets. See going to a museum alone.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park. A 4.4-acre park in Western Gateway Park, near downtown, which opened in 2009 as a partnership between the Art Center and the city. It is open during city park hours, sunrise to midnight, with metered street parking around it (Art Center: Pappajohn Sculpture Park).

State Historical Museum of Iowa. At 600 E. Locust Street, just west of the State Capitol. Admission to the museum and research center is free. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday. No food or drink is allowed inside (State Historical Museum of Iowa).

Iowa State Capitol. Free guided tours run Monday to Saturday; call 515-281-5591 for tour times. Self-guided tours are also available. The building is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. (Iowa Legislature: Capitol tours). A guided tour hands you a group without any small talk required.

Gardens and a science stop

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. At 909 Robert D. Ray Drive. Holiday hours run through 3 January: Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Mondays. Adult admission is listed at $14. The Robert D. Ray Asian Garden is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., free to all, and the Flora Café is open Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The garden closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Botanical Garden: tickets and hours).

Science Center of Iowa. Open Wednesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday (Science Center of Iowa: hours). Check the site for tickets and prices.

Walk it off

Meredith Trail and Gray's Lake. The 5.2-mile Meredith Trail links downtown to Gray's Lake Park, starting at the end of the Principal Riverwalk along the Des Moines River. A 1.9-mile trail circles Gray's Lake itself. Catch Des Moines lists Confluence Brewing Company as a place to refuel (Catch Des Moines: trails).

High Trestle Trail Bridge. Near Ankeny, a half-mile, 13-story bridge across the Des Moines River valley on a flat rail-trail. After dark it is lit, and six overlooks carry panels on local history. Trailheads include Hawkeye Park in Ankeny (Catch Des Moines: trails). It is the boldest idea here, since the trail is outside the city and you will need a way to reach it.

Markets and shelves

Downtown Farmers' Market. The Saturday market runs from 2 May to 31 October, so it is closed for the season in November; Downtown DSM posts any winter market dates on its site (Saturday Market, Winter Market). For eating out on your own meanwhile, see how to eat alone in public.

Des Moines Public Library, Central. At 1000 Grand Avenue. The library lists book clubs and events on its site; check its locations page for current opening days (DMPL: events, locations and hours).

Getting around

DART lists a regular one-trip bus fare of $1.75 and a day pass for $4. You can pay with the MyDART app, cash, paper passes or tokens (DART: bus fares).

First solo outings

Easy. A free hour at the Art Center, then the Pappajohn Sculpture Park next.
Medium. A Capitol guided tour and the State Historical Museum on a Tuesday to Saturday.
Bold. The Meredith Trail to Gray's Lake, or the High Trestle Trail Bridge after dark.

Solo Era for iPhone

Walk a public sculpture trail

Solo Era has a movement mission at level 2: "Walk a public sculpture trail." Choose a short route in daylight and pause at three sculptures along the way. Pappajohn Sculpture Park, which the Art Center describes as home to dozens of monumental sculptures, is open from sunrise to midnight and is a ready-made place to try it. Free to download. A subscription is required to start missions. Prices and any free trial are shown in the app and depend on the offer and eligibility.

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FAQ

Is the Des Moines Art Center free?

Yes. The museum says admission is always free. It is open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and closed on Mondays.

Are Iowa Capitol tours free?

Yes. Free guided tours run Monday to Saturday, and self-guided tours are also available. Call 515-281-5591 for guided tour times.

Is the State Historical Museum of Iowa free?

Yes. Admission to the museum and research center is free. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Is the Botanical Garden open in winter?

Yes, through 3 January on holiday hours, closed Mondays and on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Robert D. Ray Asian Garden is open daily 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and free.

How far is Gray's Lake from downtown?

The Meredith Trail is 5.2 miles long and connects downtown to Gray's Lake Park, starting at the end of the Principal Riverwalk.

Sources (checked 2026-11-01)

Details change; check the venue before you go.