If you don’t pay much attention to politics (or don’t live someplace where the presidential election cycle has been impossible to ignore for nearly a year), you might not be as aware of Iowa’s campaign season craziness. Since last spring, Iowa has been a hub for every presidential hopeful as well as the onslaught of staff, media, and national attention that comes with them.
Sure, it can be annoying to be delayed by a motorcade or screened by security while trying to pick up a salad over lunch because a candidate happens to be dining at the same eatery. But the Iowa Caucuses are also an amazing time to show my out-of-state friends (and everyone else) all our state has to offer and why I’m so happy to call Des Moines my home. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that we get cool write-ups in publications like POLITICO, or that Ben and Jerry once hung out at a coffee shop a few blocks from my house.
With caucus day swiftly approaching, there’s no better time to plan a politically-fueled trip to Iowa. If you happen to be passing through Des Moines during caucus season, I’ve compiled some of my favorite places to eat, shop, and spend time in Iowa’s capital city.Continue Reading…