From the historic charm of Sherman Hill to the shops and restaurants of the East Village, every Des Moines neighborhood has its own character and story. Our Ultimate Guide to Des Moines Neighborhoods helps you explore the city and surrounding metro, understand local areas, and discover what makes each community unique.

Whether you're new to town or have called Des Moines home for years, there's always something new to learn about where we live!

👉 Explore the guide: https://desmoinesdigest.com/guide/des-moines-neighborhoods/

Ask a grown-up about their favorite childhood memories, and chances are good it involves a blanket, a warm kitchen, or staying up a little later than usual. Cooler weather is great for that kind of fun. Here are a few free ideas for a weekend that’s brisk outside and cozy inside.

🍲 Soup Swap Sunday
Ask a few neighbors to each make a pot of soup, then trade containers so everybody goes home with a variety. It’s dinner for the week and a great excuse to say hi.

🌌 Blanket Stargazing
The moon is nearly new on Monday, so the skies will be darker than usual. Bring blankets and hot drinks outside and see how many constellations or satellites the family can spot.

💌 Thank-You Cards for Veterans
Veterans Day is next Wednesday. Set up a table with paper, markers, and stickers and let everyone make a card. Drop them at a local veterans’ organization or hand one to a neighbor who served.

🌅 The Early Sunset Walk
The sun is setting before 5:15 p.m. now. Take a walk right before dusk, watch the sky change colors, and head home to hot chocolate.

🎲 Winner-Takes-All Game Night
Pick a board game, a card game, or a made-up game, and award a silly trophy to the winner. It could be a paper crown or a spatula, as long as the winner gets bragging rights.

🥞 Breakfast for Dinner
Pancakes, eggs, and toast on a Saturday night make the whole house cheer. Bonus points if the kids cook.

✨ If the best part of the weekend is something nobody planned, you’re doing it right. ❤️

Dinner's one of the few times the whole family lands in the same room — here's a question to open things up each night this week.

These questions are a great way to kick off dinner. And if you've got a student in the house, they're a good reminder that learning doesn't stop when school does. Camp Homework supports K–12 students all year long, whether they need a little extra help keeping up or just want to stay sharp and ahead of the curve. Worth a look at camphomework.com.

Real talk: the last few weeks of school matter. If your child is struggling, Camp Homework connects K–12 students with real human tutors — not AI — starting at just $150/month. Affordable, personal, and actually effective. Don't wait until summer to course-correct. camphomework.com →

When: Fri, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
Tickets: Available at desmoinesperformingarts.org

If you grew up with Fraggle Rock, here’s your chance to share it with a new generation. This live show is part of the Wellmark Family Series and brings the Jim Henson classic to the Civic Center stage.

It’s a good pick for a family night out, especially for parents who want the kids to see the characters they loved growing up. It’s also an indoor plan for a chilly Friday night.

Grab your people, make it a night, and consider getting there early to find parking.

💛 Small & Local Favorites

Thank you so much for reading — we hope you found something fun, helpful, and inspiring in today's edition! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with your friends and family so they can be part of the fun too. The more the merrier! We'll see you back here on Monday for our next edition. Have a wonderful weekend, Des Moines! 🎉

— Alex | Des Moines Digest
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