Road trip from Minneapolis to Des Moines
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Museums
Nature & Parks
Nightlife
Shopping
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Concerts & Shows
Fun & Games
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All Category
Museums
Nature & Parks
Nightlife
Shopping
Sights & Landmarks
Concerts & Shows
Fun & Games
Outdoor Activities
Food & Drink
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ITINERARY
4h 31m243 miles27 stops
1
Finnegans Brew Co.
2
Minneapolis City Hall
3
Acme Comedy Co.
4
Time Bomb Vintage
Come shop like a local! Time Bomb Vintage has EVERYTHING VINTAGE, MODERN, & RETRO. ALL in STOCK with ever changing inventory! Over 2500 square feet of vintage clothing, 60s-90s toys, pop culture, vinyl albums, vintage advertising and kitschy doodads! If you are looking for the unusual, interesting or hard to find items, we've probably got it! Time Bomb is conveniently located on East Lake Street in the Longfellow neighborhood. Just 10 minutes from MSP airport.
5
Textile Center
6
Indeed Brewing Company
7
Norseman Distillery
Norseman Distillery, the first micro-distillery in Minneapolis, was founded with principles of using the very best local ingredients to produce small batches of exceptionally fine spirits. From our micro-distillery in northeast Minneapolis, we hand craft each batch with the hopes of inspiring legendary cheer in those who drink it.
8
Coldwater Spring
Coldwater had been home to the Bureau of Mines Twin Cities Research Center for close to fifty years, from 1949 to 1996, when Congress closed all Bureau of Mines centers nationwide. In 2010 the NPS assumed responsibility, Coldwater has gone from an office park to a public park. Coldwater is part of an unbroken expanse of green space, stretching from Minnehaha Falls Regional Park to Fort Snelling.
9
BlackStack Brewing
10
Stepping Stone Theater
11
F. Scott Fitzgerald Birthplace
12
Wabasha Street Bridge
13
Fitness Sports
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
14
Iowa State Fairgrounds
For 11 days in August, it’s a fairground, but for the other 354 days of the year, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is home to auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows and more. See what’s happening this month at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
15
Capitol Building
16
Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
17
Brenton Skating Plaza
18
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Des Moines
Our immensely popular shows are set in the present day and are dressed just like everyone else, leaving all of the guests to suspect who is a part of the show and who is not. In many instances, guests are seated with the performers and don't even realize it until they die...the performers, that is! At the end of the night, prizes are awarded to the Top Sleuth who solves the crime.
19
World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
The Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates - home of The World Food Prize - is a public museum, educational facility and a place of inspiration for all. This magnificently restored Beaux Arts space celebrates the spirit of giving, emphasizing the importance of global food security.
20
4th Street
21
The Lift
22
Beer Can Alley Des Moines
23
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Open to visitors since September 2009, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 of the world's most celebrated artists. The 4.4 Acre park, located within a major crossroads of the urban grid, creates a pedestrian friendly entranceway to downtown Des Moines. This accessible setting, coupled with the skilled landscape design and caliber of the art, makes it unlike any other sculpture park in the United States. The Pappajohns' contribution of 28 works for the park is the most significant donation of artwork ever made to the Des Moines Art Center.
24
West End Architectural Salvage
25
300 Craft & Rooftop
26
Brown's Woods
27
Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
1
Start:Finnegans Brew Co.
Minneapolis, Minnesota·
4.5
(9) review
817 5th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404-1007
2
Start:Minneapolis City Hall
Minneapolis, Minnesota·
4.5
(91) review
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1316
3
Start:Acme Comedy Co.
Minneapolis, Minnesota·
3.5
(93) review
708 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1133
4
Start:Time Bomb Vintage
Minneapolis, Minnesota·
5.0
(9) review
Come shop like a local! Time Bomb Vintage has EVERYTHING VINTAGE, MODERN, & RETRO. ALL in STOCK with ever changing inventory! Over 2500 square feet of vintage clothing, 60s-90s toys, pop culture, vinyl albums, vintage advertising and kitschy doodads! If you are looking for the unusual, interesting or hard to find items, we've probably got it! Time Bomb is conveniently located on East Lake Street in the Longfellow neighborhood. Just 10 minutes from MSP airport.
5
Start:Textile Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota·
4.5
(9) review
3000 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414-3356
6
Start:Indeed Brewing Company
Minneapolis, Minnesota·
4.5
(94) review
711 15th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413-1738
7
Start:Norseman Distillery
Minneapolis, Minnesota·
5.0
(98) review
Norseman Distillery, the first micro-distillery in Minneapolis, was founded with principles of using the very best local ingredients to produce small batches of exceptionally fine spirits. From our micro-distillery in northeast Minneapolis, we hand craft each batch with the hopes of inspiring legendary cheer in those who drink it.
8
Start:Coldwater Spring
Minneapolis, Minnesota·
4.0
(9) review
Coldwater had been home to the Bureau of Mines Twin Cities Research Center for close to fifty years, from 1949 to 1996, when Congress closed all Bureau of Mines centers nationwide. In 2010 the NPS assumed responsibility, Coldwater has gone from an office park to a public park. Coldwater is part of an unbroken expanse of green space, stretching from Minnehaha Falls Regional Park to Fort Snelling.
9
Start:BlackStack Brewing
Saint Paul, Minnesota·
4.5
(9) review
755 Prior Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55104-1063
10
Start:Stepping Stone Theater
Saint Paul, Minnesota·
4.0
(9) review
55 Victoria St N, Saint Paul, MN 55104-7067
11
Start:F. Scott Fitzgerald Birthplace
Saint Paul, Minnesota·
4.0
(9) review
481 Laurel Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102-3062
12
Start:Wabasha Street Bridge
Saint Paul, Minnesota·
4.5
(9) review
1 Wabasha St S, Saint Paul, MN 55107-1826
13
Start:Fitness Sports
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(9) review
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
14
Start:Iowa State Fairgrounds
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(882) review
For 11 days in August, it’s a fairground, but for the other 354 days of the year, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is home to auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows and more. See what’s happening this month at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
15
Start:Capitol Building
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(890) review
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319-1001
16
Start:Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.0
(73) review
Robert D. Ray Asian Drive, Des Moines, IA 50309
17
Start:Brenton Skating Plaza
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
520 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-1824
18
Start:The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(7) review
Our immensely popular shows are set in the present day and are dressed just like everyone else, leaving all of the guests to suspect who is a part of the show and who is not. In many instances, guests are seated with the performers and don't even realize it until they die...the performers, that is! At the end of the night, prizes are awarded to the Top Sleuth who solves the crime.
19
Start:World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(81) review
The Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates - home of The World Food Prize - is a public museum, educational facility and a place of inspiration for all. This magnificently restored Beaux Arts space celebrates the spirit of giving, emphasizing the importance of global food security.
20
Start:4th Street
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
4th Street, Des Moines, IA
21
Start:The Lift
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
222 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2206
22
Start:Beer Can Alley Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(7) review
216 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309-2281
23
Start:Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(739) review
Open to visitors since September 2009, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 of the world's most celebrated artists. The 4.4 Acre park, located within a major crossroads of the urban grid, creates a pedestrian friendly entranceway to downtown Des Moines. This accessible setting, coupled with the skilled landscape design and caliber of the art, makes it unlike any other sculpture park in the United States. The Pappajohns' contribution of 28 works for the park is the most significant donation of artwork ever made to the Des Moines Art Center.
24
Start:West End Architectural Salvage
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(71) review
22 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-4310
25
Start:300 Craft & Rooftop
Des Moines, Iowa·
3.0
(7) review
300 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50309-4604
26
Start:Brown's Woods
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(7) review
Brown's Woods Drive, Des Moines, IA 50265
27
Start:Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.0
(8) review
75 E Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315-5866
CHECKLIST
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Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
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Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Minneapolis and Des Moines?
The distance is 243 miles
What's the travel time between Minneapolis and Des Moines?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 4h 31m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Minneapolis and Des Moines?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Des Moines?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Des Moines
What’s the weather like in Des Moines?
The weather in Des Moines is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Des Moines in January
Weather in Des Moines in February
Weather in Des Moines in March
Weather in Des Moines in April
Weather in Des Moines in May
Weather in Des Moines in June
Weather in Des Moines in July
Weather in Des Moines in August
Weather in Des Moines in September
Weather in Des Moines in October
Weather in Des Moines in November
Weather in Des Moines in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Des Moines?
Plan your dream Des Moines trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Des Moines
A 2-day itinerary in Des Moines
A 3-day itinerary in Des Moines
A 4-day itinerary in Des Moines
A 5-day itinerary in Des Moines
A 6-day itinerary in Des Moines
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Minneapolis?
We have a lot of great trip options for Minneapolis! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you