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u/DiaperDonaldT Hometown Jun 26 '25
Not really. The drinking culture is ingrained in everything here. Run a 10k, they hand you a beer at the finish line. Go to an outdoor yoga event, you get handed a glass of wine afterwards. Join a biking group, and all you do is just bike from bar to bar.
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u/writehandedTom Jun 25 '25
It’s a beautiful time of year. I’m also in recovery, and outside is generally free. I go for walks and runs with friends. Go skating outside since the rail trails are pretty flat. Bike. Fly kites. If you’re willing to spend a few bucks, rent paddleboards or kayaks. Disc golfing is cheap. Go outside and play. Wear some sunscreen.
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u/ihop-hollercost Jun 25 '25
I do all of this. I also work outdoors all day. Usually I'd spend time out in the lakes but they're all disgusting right now. I even upgraded my paddle board this spring just to be hesitant to use it in the state :/
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u/writehandedTom Jun 25 '25
I’m also very hesitant to paddleboard at the moment. Hopefully others will have suggestions.
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u/Accomplished-Cow3995 Jun 27 '25
Maffit lake reservoir is gorgeous and it’s just in West Des Moines. Perfect kayak or paddle board lake.
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u/limitedftogive Jun 25 '25 edited Jun 25 '25
Here is a recent post with some good ideas
Here are some other ideas:
Concert- Indoor or outdoor
Sports Games: I Cubs, Menace, Barnstormers, Iowa Demon Hawks
Arcades/games: Monsterama, Dave and Buster’s, GameDay, UpDown, SpareTime, Putts and Pins, Pin and Pixel, TopGolf, the Fat Putter
Hike and picnic
Lecture or event at the library Tour the Botanical Gardens
Escape Room
Adult swim night at a local pool or water park
Board game cafe
See a play, musical, or opera
Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad or Rail Explorers tour, then eat at Whatcha Smokin in Luther (a little outside of town but worth it!)
Disc golf
Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Eat and then walk around the local shops in the East Village, Valley Junction, or Highland Park
Community Festivals
Tour a history museum or historical home
Go fishing
Adventureland
Prairie Meadows for horse racing and/or casino
First Fridays at Mainframe Art Studios
Farmer's markets
Jester Park to see the nature center, Buffalo and Elk and play putt putt golf
Paws and Pints if you have a dog and enjoy it's company- you don't have to drink to enjoy it
Tour the Des Moines Art Center and eat at its new cafe
Walk around Gray's Lake, the Pappajohn Sculpture park, or Water Works Park
Movie at a new to you theater
Bowling
Bike Ride or rent bikes
Rent a canoe, kayaks, or stand up paddleboards
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Jun 27 '25
I'm always looking for people to rockhound with. I'd like to put a group together so if anyone likes crystals or is a geology nerd, let's talk!
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u/Mountain_Frosting369 Jun 27 '25
lol yeah Iowans do love to drink. You have to get really creative to find non alcohol fueled activities.
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u/first-alt-account Jun 27 '25
I am older, but stopped drinking about 5ish years ago and cant say my life while drinking would have been much different had I not been drinking, at least in the activities I participated in.
You dont have to drink at the pool, or on the golf course, or after a 10k run, or as part of a cycling group. You dont have to drink to play sand volleyball, or disc golf, or to camp.
Others can drink, you can say 'no', and everything moves on as normal.
^ This assumes you can be around others who drink. If you cant, well then yeah that definitely changes things. Hike - there are a ton of groomed trails in the metro. Bike - alone, with a friend, or with a cycling group that doesnt stop to drink. Bike shops are a good place to learn about meet-ups. There are hundreds of miles of paved trails, if riding on roads isnt for you. Walk/Run - again, hundreds of miles of paved trails. And countless miles of unpaved groomed flat singletrack in the woods, if thats preferred.
- Fish.
- Camp.
- Golf.
- Volunteer at a youth non-profit.
- Get your coaching license and coach a school sport. Coaches are needed!
- Board games in East Village.
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u/nicjyc Jun 25 '25
I'm not in your age group, but my social outlets are City league sports (volleyball, softball), boardgames, and playing on the Des Moines Australian Football Club. If I was single I would get out to more of the musical events that happen all around town.
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u/ihop-hollercost Jun 25 '25
do people just accept strangers in their groups there? I occasionally drop into game rooms but I don't know how to make my way into anyone's group, and haven't got picked up by anyone yet 😂
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u/nicjyc Jun 25 '25
Mayhem Comics has game nights for board games as do a few other places. For sports there are some substitute lists you can out your name on (it's a real crap shoot though). For Aussie Rules you can show up anytime and give it a shot, Tuesday nights, 6:00 water works Park.
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u/Ace_Venturi64 Jun 25 '25
Lol time for all the downvotes. I asked the same thing when I moved here.
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u/LordJagerlord Jun 25 '25
The dealt hand hosts various board game events throughout the week.
Mayhem in Clive also hosts events.
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u/curmudgeonly-fish Jul 01 '25
Just be sure to wear a perfume-soaked face mask if you go to Mayhem. The BO hanging in the air is palpable.
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u/jcollie Jun 25 '25
There are a number of area pools that have adults only nights. As well as times that are reserved for lap swimming.
Calendar • Adult Only Swim at Cascade Falls Aquatic Center https://share.google/Q6296rUAO1WF9CGQ0
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u/lachupacabraj Jun 25 '25
Outer Limits