Des Moines is filled with fun activities, but luckily, you chose to live in a small town buzzing with excitement. There is no need to go too far off campus to find entertainment, food or something to pass the time.
Our first stop is about a block away from campus: the Indianola Square. In the Square, you can find many ways to spend your free time. A great way to spend a night with friends could be to visit one of the restaurants in the Square. From Brickhouse Tavern, Winn’s Pizza & Steakhouse or Pete’s Pizza, the Square has delicious places to dine with friends. You could even stop by the Corner Sundry for a sweet treat! The Square also has breakfast options, such as Crouse Cafe and Mishmash Eats. If you want a new study spot, the Square isn’t short of those either. While Millie’s may be your preferred coffee location, the coffee shops in the Square serve up a mean cup of joe as well. There is Crimson Anchor, Uncommon Grounds and my personal favorite, Savor the Rise. Each of these cozy coffee shops has delicious treats and perfect caffeinated beverages to motivate you to do your homework.
If food and drinks aren’t your forte, the Square has more places for you to spend money and time. If you are an avid moviegoer, scope out the Fridley Theater for current films. The Square is also home to some local shops. While adventuring outside of campus, you can support small businesses like Pamela’s Place, Lula Belle Designs or the Funky Zebras.
However, Indianola is more than just the Square. If you venture farther outside of town, you will find two state parks: Lake Ahquabi State Park and Summerset State Park. At Lake Ahquabi, you have the freedom to explore nature’s beauty through camping, hiking, boating or fishing. Summerset State Park is similar, with activities such as biking, hiking and fishing. You can also practice your shooting skills at the Banner Shooting Range near the park. However, these activities are weather dependent, and we aren’t exactly experiencing sunshine and rainbows outside. Though if you can withstand the cold and are willing to travel farther away from campus, Seven Oaks in Boone has an array of winter activities. Skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing are all available for you to enjoy at this location. Grab your winter gear and take a trip to Boone for a thrilling and snowy day.
Iowa winters aren’t for everyone, though. If you drive to Altoona, you can spend your day inside as you make your way through the outlet malls. Jordan Creek Mall in Des Moines is an extremely popular place, but also expensive. The Altoona Outlet Mall, however, lets you have that same shopping experience with more sales. Within the mall, you can see what American Eagle, Gap, Levi’s, Nike, Old Navy, Under Armor, and more shops have available.
Hopefully, this will provide you with an ample amount of activities to keep you occupied. Check out these places in Indianola or journey farther to a new location to add some variety to your life.
Best,
Millie
