Of course we love Gray’s Station, but a living community can only be amazing if it is located in an amazing place. Downtown Des Moines is the perfect place to find a sense of self, explore new events and a great place for everyone to call home.

Living Options

If you’re wondering if downtown Des Moines and Gray’s Station has a living option for you, the answer is definitely yes! There are living options ranging from studio apartments perfect for simple living all the way to two-and-three-story single family homes fit to entertain. The only thing you have to do if you want to find a space for yourself in the community is look!

Easiest way to discover all of your options is to check out our Live Here options, Hubbell Realty Company or Hubbell Homes to see what you can find!

Access to Shopping and Nature

Depending where you want to spend your day, you can pick a couple of locations in downtown Des Moines and experience something new in each.

The East Village is home to many unique restaurants and boutiques, and is located right by the beautiful capital building. With notable shops like RayGun and restaurants including Des Moines classic Zombie Burger and Scenic Route Bakery to name just a couple, it’s easy to find a place to grab a gift and a bite. Local business owners like the ones at AllSpice Culinarium specialize in the best spices and olive oils; Eden brings the heat with beauty products and there are so many more local businesses to support.

Move further into the heart of downtown’s Court Avenue district and Western Gateway, you’ll discover more businesses and even more restaurants from high end Italian cuisine at Centro to timeless American food at the aptly named Americana.  This area is also home to some of the best hidden gems for nightcaps, antique finds and good eats that are just hitting the scene.

Downtown Des Moines is also home to plenty of park spaces, trails and paths. One of America’s largest urban parks, Water Works Park, is located on the southwest side of the area and connects the beautiful Gray’s Lake to so much beautiful, natural space. The Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a walkable park filled with one-of-a-kind sculptures, and is a popular place for photography right in downtown.

Events

Downtown Des Moines also has events fit for everyone. The brand new Lauridsen Skate Park is the largest open skate park in the nation and hosts events, including hosting the Dew Tour in May of 2021. More interested in produce and culture than skating and sports? The Downtown Des Moines Farmer’s Market is a sure hit during the warmer months (and a couple times during the winter). The Des Moines Farmer’s Market is ranked the second-best farmer’s market in America, and between the fresh local produce, the delicious ready to eat food, and the local artists, the Farmer’s Market is everything it promises to be.

The Wells Fargo Arena hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year. Hosting the minor league hockey team, the Iowa Wild, all winter is only the start. This arena is the largest in Central Iowa, with 16,980 seats, so it has room for you to enjoy whatever event interests you most. If outdoor events are more your style, 80/35 Music Festival, the Lauridsen Amphitheater  and the World Food Festival are just a few coming up in 2022.

All of these are just the tip of the iceberg – there are so many more reasons that Downtown Des Moines is the perfect place to live. Between the living options, the shops, the entertainment, and of course the food, the beautiful downtown is sure to keep you busy.

(There is a reason that Des Moines is ranked in the top 15 places to live in the U.S.)