Cheap date ideas under $25 in the Des Moines metro

Having a good time in the Des Moines metro is easily accomplished for little or no money.

• Whether you're on a first date or have been together for years, here are a few ideas under $25.

🥾 Park it

There are 76 city parks and dozens of others across the metro — most of which are open year-round.

• Grab a baguette and some cheese and enjoy the beauty of places like the historic rose garden at Greenwood Park.
• Hike or bike hundreds of miles of metro-area recreation trails.
• Go skateboarding at Lauridsen Skatepark.

🕺 Get into the groove

Free summer concerts are a big deal in DSM. Mark your calendars.

• Jasper Winery's Summer Concert Series: Bring blankets and lawn chairs and jam out on Thursdays nights, starting May 12 through August 4.
• Rendezvous on Riverview: Live music every Friday in June and July at DSM's Riverview Park.
• Yankee Doodle Pops: A Des Moines Symphony performance and fireworks. July 1, starting at 8pm at the Iowa Capitol.

🤤 Find a food truck

Take advantage of Des Moines' expanded food truck scene this year, thanks to several recent ordinance changes that expand access to some parks and special events.

• Check out our food truck guide and bookmark this locator to use in the warmer months ahead.