Tourist in your Hometown: Chelsea of Des Moines, Iowa

hello all - I'm chelsea + I blog over at little lessons in a big city. I love to travel & have lived in 3 different states over the past 3 years. but thankfully because moving is terrible, I think I've found a happy home in Des Moines, IA. where I've lived for exactly one year. there is so much I am yet to discover. but what I've come across thus far, I love. when jess reached out to me for the tourist in your hometown series, I didn't even hesitate. if you were coming to visit me, these are the places I would excitedly take you. and I can promise you'd be a bit tipsy, very full, and quite happy after our adventure.

10 things you must do in Des Moines, IA. in no particular order.

[*editor's note: this barely scratches the surface of what makes this city so great].

zoo brew at blank park zoo. // where adults go to pretend they're kids, while drinking beer. you have full access to the zoo exhibits + temporary bars scattered throughout the place. [hence the 24 ounces of bud light in my hand]. who doesn't love the zoo? *every wednesday night throughout the summer.

el bait shop bar. // 120 beers on tap. 150+ bottled beers. and bacon-wrapped tater tots. just saying.

pappajohn sculpture park. // it makes for the prettiest of pictures.

fong's pizza restaurant. // famous for their crab rangoon pizza. while also making tiki drinks that will transport you straight to a tropical island. and gourmet egg roll creations, like bacon mac & cheese or raspberry cheesecake.

downtown farmer's market. // the best way to spend saturday mornings during the warmer months. I go for a large iced coffee, the best breakfast burrito, and fresh flowers.

scratch cupcakery. // a locally-owned cupcake shop, that began in my iowa hometown, and thankfully opened in des moines recently. they make the BEST cupcakes. you will not be disappointed, I assure you. and you will not be able to leave with just one ..

jethro's BBQ restaurant. // because wherever you go, you need a good BBQ joint. bonus points: they serve cocktails in mason jars & have a fabulous brunch.

iowa state fair. // one of the largest state fairs in the country. famous for the butter cow. and obviously, fried food. hello fried oreo.

hessen haus bar + restaurant. // an old-world german bier hall. two words: das boot. or beer by the liters. must mention, it's housed in a former train station. so when a train goes by, the bar offers $3 shots, if you're into that kind of stuff.

the iowa state capitol building. // it's just breathtaking.

come visit des moines - I'll show you around!

oh and I must mention, NBC declared des moines, IA the "wealthiest city in america". I can't make this kind of stuff up.

[thank you for having me jess - xo!!].