EXPLORE: Walk 'n' Shop
By Cyote Williams
In the mood for strolling through a shopping district where walkability and unique storefronts abound? These junctions, villages and town centers are perfect for you.
HISTORIC VALLEY JUNCTION
137 Fifth St., West Des Moines
www.valleyjunction.com
With a mix of old and new, the shops, restaurants, bars and overall entertainment in Valley Junction make it a one-stop walk and shop dream. The stores range from places like Bing’s, which sells just about anything you can think of, to the Theatrical Shop, full of costumes that’ll help you turn into any character your imagination desires.
HISTORIC EAST VILLAGE
East Village, Des Moines
www.eastvillagedesmoines.com
The East Village in Des Moines has been growing exponentially in recent years, with nearly 50 shops now in the area. Find yourself a parking spot and start exploring. There’s the East Village Spa if you’re looking to relax, a treasure trove of boutiques and clothing stores, hairstylists, tattoo parlors and more.
WEST GLEN TOWN CENTER
5465 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
www.westglentowncenter.com
“Explore every corner” is the West Glen Town Center’s motto, and that’s great advice to follow. The stores in the area include a variety of shops for health and beauty and clothing shops like Look@You and Worn. Looking to slow down after the shopping? You’ll find restaurants from drive-thru favorites like Abelardos to more fancy sit-downs like Irina’s Steak and Seafood.
JORDAN CREEK TOWN CENTER
101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines
www.jordancreektowncenter.com/en/
Jordan Creek mall and the surrounding Town Center are bursting with shopping, dining and entertainment options. You’ll find an array of retail establishments with most any purchasable good available, a myriad of restaurants and bars, one of the best movie theaters in Iowa, and major brand name stores — it’s a shopaholic’s heaven.
THE DISTRICT AT PRAIRIE TRAIL
www.thedistrictpt.com
S.W. District Drive, Ankeny
The 1,031-acre community located in the heart of Ankeny has anything and everything you need from a shopping standpoint: boutiques aplenty, bookstores for those in search of the next bestseller, and, for the little ones, Imagination Street — a uniquely designed playscape that will keep the kids entertained and hopefully drain some of their energy before you tell them you have “just one more shopping stop.”
OUTLETS OF DES MOINES
801 Bass Pro Drive, N.W., Altoona
www.outletsofdesmoines.com
These outlet stores, just a short drive from Des Moines, offer you and your loved ones the chance to find some great items at great prices. The Outlets’ website is consistently updated to show you which stores are featuring sales. Husbands, wives, kids, dogs or grandma and grandpa, there’s something for everyone at this shopping destination.
SOUTHRIDGE MALL
1111 E. Army Post Road, Des Moines
www.shopsouthridgemall.com
What was once a mall and a movie theater has been reimagined. Southridge Mall is the only major shopping district that serves the southside of Des Moines. There are several jewelry stores, if you’re in need of that special gift; Foot Locker, if you’re in need of a fresh pair of gym shoes or casual sneaker; and plenty more.
In the mood for strolling through a shopping district where walkability and unique storefronts abound? These junctions, villages and town centers are perfect for you.
HISTORIC VALLEY JUNCTION
137 Fifth St., West Des Moines
www.valleyjunction.com
With a mix of old and new, the shops, restaurants, bars and overall entertainment in Valley Junction make it a one-stop walk and shop dream. The stores range from places like Bing’s, which sells just about anything you can think of, to the Theatrical Shop, full of costumes that’ll help you turn into any character your imagination desires.
HISTORIC EAST VILLAGE
East Village, Des Moines
www.eastvillagedesmoines.com
The East Village in Des Moines has been growing exponentially in recent years, with nearly 50 shops now in the area. Find yourself a parking spot and start exploring. There’s the East Village Spa if you’re looking to relax, a treasure trove of boutiques and clothing stores, hairstylists, tattoo parlors and more.
WEST GLEN TOWN CENTER
5465 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
www.westglentowncenter.com
“Explore every corner” is the West Glen Town Center’s motto, and that’s great advice to follow. The stores in the area include a variety of shops for health and beauty and clothing shops like Look@You and Worn. Looking to slow down after the shopping? You’ll find restaurants from drive-thru favorites like Abelardos to more fancy sit-downs like Irina’s Steak and Seafood.
JORDAN CREEK TOWN CENTER
101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines
www.jordancreektowncenter.com/en/
Jordan Creek mall and the surrounding Town Center are bursting with shopping, dining and entertainment options. You’ll find an array of retail establishments with most any purchasable good available, a myriad of restaurants and bars, one of the best movie theaters in Iowa, and major brand name stores — it’s a shopaholic’s heaven.
THE DISTRICT AT PRAIRIE TRAIL
www.thedistrictpt.com
S.W. District Drive, Ankeny
The 1,031-acre community located in the heart of Ankeny has anything and everything you need from a shopping standpoint: boutiques aplenty, bookstores for those in search of the next bestseller, and, for the little ones, Imagination Street — a uniquely designed playscape that will keep the kids entertained and hopefully drain some of their energy before you tell them you have “just one more shopping stop.”
OUTLETS OF DES MOINES
801 Bass Pro Drive, N.W., Altoona
www.outletsofdesmoines.com
These outlet stores, just a short drive from Des Moines, offer you and your loved ones the chance to find some great items at great prices. The Outlets’ website is consistently updated to show you which stores are featuring sales. Husbands, wives, kids, dogs or grandma and grandpa, there’s something for everyone at this shopping destination.
SOUTHRIDGE MALL
1111 E. Army Post Road, Des Moines
www.shopsouthridgemall.com
What was once a mall and a movie theater has been reimagined. Southridge Mall is the only major shopping district that serves the southside of Des Moines. There are several jewelry stores, if you’re in need of that special gift; Foot Locker, if you’re in need of a fresh pair of gym shoes or casual sneaker; and plenty more.