🌟 Good morning, Des Moines!
Your weekly nudge to get out, feel connected, and love where you live.
In this week’s AroundDSM:
🦪 This week’s restaurant feels like adult summer camp - in a good way.
🎶 Ziggy Marley is bringing the reggae vibes to Waukee tonight.
🎡 Jingle in July, carnival rides, fireworks, and a lip sync contest? SummerFest delivers.
🍽️ Restaurant Spotlight
Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster | 9500 University Ave. Ste 118 West Des Moines |
Photo: Wisconsin Old Fashioned (L), Guesthouse Old Fashioned (R) | Emily Johnson
Photo: Ramp Oysters (foreground), Relish Tray, Oysters Supreme | Emily Johnson
🌲 The second we walked in, I told my husband this place felt like camp. It was like we’d somehow been dropped into a cozy lodge tucked into the Wisconsin woods. It’s campy, warm, a little nostalgic, and just plain fun. If you’re into Northwoods supper club energy, this place nails it.
🦪 We came for oysters and they delivered. We ordered the Oyster Special (ramp oysters) and the Oyster Supreme - chargrilled oysters topped with lump crab, butter, garlic, and parmesan - and both felt like the kind of thing you immediately order again next time. We also started with the smaller, happy hour relish tray, which turned out to not be small at all, plus a Wisconsin Old Fashioned for me and the smokier Guesthouse Old Fashioned for my husband. Everything was excellent, and the dishes around us looked so good we started mentally planning return visits before we were halfway through dinner.
🎟️ There’s a lot to love here beyond the food. Happy hour is especially fun: every happy hour item gets you a pull tab card for a chance to win prizes, and they’re actually good prizes - free drinks and even gift cards. We won a free Wisconsin Old Fashioned and a Beer (or Root Beer)! Their daily specials also make this one of those places you could justify visiting way too often: Walleye Wednesday, Prime Rib Saturday, and a menu full of things that make decision-making difficult because it all sounds good. Bonus detail I noticed after our visit: Their website includes full photos of the dishes, which is helpful when you want to know exactly what you’re getting. Check out the pics! 👉 View the menu here.
🤝 Partner Spotlight: Etsy
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🎉 Top 5 Things to Do
The best bets handpicked for your week:
🎶 Ziggy Marley with special guest J Boog: Brightside Tour 2026 | Vibrant Music Hall
If you’re craving a summer concert with positive energy, this is a pretty easy yes. Ziggy Marley, Grammy-winning reggae artist and son of Bob and Rita Marley, is bringing his Brightside Tour to Waukee, and it feels like the kind of night that will be equal parts laid-back and unforgettable. Great pick for reggae fans, live music lovers, or anyone who wants their Thursday night to feel a little more like vacation.
| Thursday, July 9th | 7:30 pm | Tickets Required |
🚣 Des Moines Kayak Trip | Neal Smith Trail, Sycamore Access
This one feels like a lovely way to spend a summer day if, like me, you love being on the water. Join a certified instructor for a relaxed paddle down the Des Moines River while learning about local flora, fauna, geology, and history along the way. All equipment and shuttling are provided, so you mostly just need to show up prepared to get a little wet and bring your lunch.
| Friday, July 10th | 9:00 am–3:00 pm | Registration Required |
🎡 Ankeny Chamber SummerFest | 1500 SW Main Street, Ankeny
Three days of free live music, carnival rides, local food, family fun, a parade, fireworks, and a Jingle in July theme? SummerFest is really going for it this year. This is one of those classic metro summer weekends where you could easily pop in for one thing and accidentally stay for four more, especially with the new all-ages lip sync contest in the mix.
| Friday, July 10th–Sunday, July 12th | Starts at 4:00 pm Friday | Free | www.ankenysummerfest.com |
💖 Legally Blonde | Des Moines Playhouse
Elle Woods is who we need right now. This bright, funny, high-energy musical is a great excuse to plan a girls’ night, date night, or just treat yourself to a theater outing with a lot of pink and a genuinely solid message underneath all the sparkle. Being yourself never goes out of style and neither does this musical.
| Friday, July 10th | 7:30–10:00 pm | Tickets Required |
🍺 515 Grand Reopening Party | 515 Brewing
515 Brewery is hosting their grand reopening party with new owners! Head to 515 Brewing for fresh pours, including favorites OJ IPA and Mexican Spring on tap, plus Roadside Tacos for food. A nice low-key option if you want to keep things casual and celebrate a local favorite’s next chapter.
| Saturday, July 11th | 12:00 pm | Free to Attend |
🐾 Pet Pick-Me-Up
Bruiser Woods, is that you?
Now get out there, Des Moines!
With local love,
Emily
AroundDSM
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