Swain is a junior marketing and writing double major and can be contacted at eryn.swain@drake.edu
1) Eat! There was an old myth that stated there were more restaurants in Des Moines than people, and while that is not exactly true, there are more than enough places for a hungry college student to eat. There is Gateway Market for the “locavores,” Centro and Django for the sophisticated and the laid-back Drake Diner for the all-American eaters.
2) Go bowling. Get some friends together and have a great time seeing who rolls the most gutter balls. If you go on Wednesday nights after 7 p.m. at Merle Hay Lanes, every game is only $1 per person.
3) Visit the Des Moines Art Center. Today the Art Center is hosting The Art of Yoga and Pecha Kucha Night. Events continue this weekend with SmART Family Weekends and Grandparents Day! As always, the Art Center is free.
4) Visit Gray’s Lake Park. This 167-acre park has a two-mile trail, a beautiful lake and many free events. This is a great place for a picnic with friends, a nice and relaxing date or a fun place to people-watch. Best of all, it is free!
5) Go to the zoo! Relive your childhood by visiting many animals – ranging from red pandas to jellyfish – at the Blank Park Zoo. Admission is $10.95 for adults.
6) Visit the Body Worlds Vital exhibit at the Science Center of Iowa. This exhibit lasts until Oct. 31 and shows you how the body works along with some information on how to make your body run at its best. Admission ranges from $8.75 for general admission to $19.25 for all exhibits.
7) Go to a sports game. There is the Iowa Cubs for baseball lovers, the Iowa Barnstormers for arena football lovers, the Des Moines Menace for soccer lovers, the Iowa Energy for basketball lovers and the Des Moines Buccaneers for hockey lovers. Because most of these are minor league affiliates of larger teams, you can see a game for around $10 and still have a good time.
8) Hang out at a local coffee shop. Whether you want the futuristic feel of Mars Café, the small town diner feel of Smokey Row or the accessibility of Starbucks, there is a place for every caffeine addict near Drake’s campus.
