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 kid what they remember about Halloween, and it’s rarely the perfect costume. It’s the soggy sneakers, the candy trade at the kitchen table, and the neighbor who gave out full-size bars. Here are a few ideas for a weekend that might be a little wet.

🌧️ The Great Puddle Parade
Put on rain boots and take a walk with one rule: every puddle must be jumped in. Bonus points for the biggest splash and for the grown-up who joins in.

🕯️ Flashlight Ghost Stories
Turn off the lights, grab a flashlight, and take turns telling a spooky story one sentence at a time. It always ends somewhere ridiculous, which is the point.

🍬 The Candy Trade Market
After trick-or-treating, spread the haul out on the floor and open for business. Set the rules together: two chocolates for one sour straw, and no refunds.

🎃 Pumpkin Seed Roast
Save the seeds, rinse them, toss them with a little oil and salt, and roast until crunchy. Try one batch with cinnamon and one with garlic and argue about which is better.

👻 Costume Fashion Show
Turn the hallway into a runway before heading out. Everyone gets introduced by name, a dramatic pose, and a round of applause.

⏰ The Extra Hour Brunch
Sunday gives us an extra hour, so use it. Make pancakes or toast in your pajamas and nobody checks the clock.

✨ If the best part of the night was the story you’ll tell tomorrow, you did Halloween 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, Oct. 30, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Where: Historic Sherman Hill Neighborhood, Des Moines
Cost: Free (food donations or monetary donations welcome)

Residents of Des Moines’ oldest neighborhood turn their historic homes into spooky scenes, with themed displays and performers along the street. It’s been a tradition since 2010 and draws thousands of visitors.

It’s also a good deed. Visitors can bring non-perishable food to donate to the DMARC Food Pantry Network, and the event has raised more than $12,000 for the pantries in a single year.

Friday’s forecast is wet, so wear a rain jacket and good shoes. Rain won’t stop this crowd, and the decorations look even creepier in the drizzle.

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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