Need gift idea: A night out in Des Moines area

[dualthreat]

Hello fanatics, I looked through 13 pages of old off topic threads and couldn't find my answer so here goes.

I want to give a Christmas gift to sister and BIL (early 30s, two kids under 4). They don't get out much recently but they live near Ankeny. I'm thinking a gift card to a restaurant/brewery that was within walking distance of some entertainment.

What does Des Moines/Ankeny/Ames area offer for quality breweries, restaurants, shows etc? They've probably been to several of the usual stops and they're not much for the Court Ave college bars.

Sorry I don't have a lot of specifics, but that might help keep options open. For his 30th bday we took a group to the Iowa Taproom and he loved it. Great beer/food, but that was all we did. I don't remember what's near there for entertainment so I was hoping for some suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[Cyched]

If you're thinking Ankeny, there's a number of restaurants in the Prairie Trail area (Jethro's, District 36, Fongs, etc.). Everything is within walking distance of the new movie theater.

 

[clonerules]

Gc with dinner and drinks@ The Walnut, beers at Exile then comedy show at TeeHees. You're welcome.

 

[Cyched]

If you're thinking Ankeny, there's a number of restaurants in the Prairie Trail area (Jethro's, District 36, Fongs, etc.). Everything is within walking distance of the new movie theater.

Follow up: are you thinking a night out for them, or with the kids in tow? My suggestion would work for both, but if it's just them I might choose something downtown.

 

[dualthreat]

Follow up: are you thinking a night out for them, or with the kids in tow? My suggestion would work for both, but if it's just them I might choose something downtown.

I was thinking just for them... to get away from the kids for a night. But would be open to any ideas

 

[DeereClone]

Iowa Taproom then a show at Woolys if they are into music.

 

[Cyched]

Might be worth checking out if you can do gift cards/certificates to any of the restaurants on Ingersoll (Eatery A, Sakari, Noah's)

 

[Cy Hard]

Gift card toThe Cheese Shop at Shops at Roosevelt for cheese and wine before a gift card to Flying Mango for dinner the follow up with a gift card to Firetrucker to end the night with a nightcap near home for naughty time!

 

[chadly82]

Hello fanatics, I looked through 13 pages of old off topic threads and couldn't find my answer so here goes.

I want to give a Christmas gift to sister and BIL (early 30s, two kids under 4). They don't get out much recently but they live near Ankeny. I'm thinking a gift card to a restaurant/brewery that was within walking distance of some entertainment.

What does Des Moines/Ankeny/Ames area offer for quality breweries, restaurants, shows etc? They've probably been to several of the usual stops and they're not much for the Court Ave college bars.

Sorry I don't have a lot of specifics, but that might help keep options open. For his 30th bday we took a group to the Iowa Taproom and he loved it. Great beer/food, but that was all we did. I don't remember what's near there for entertainment so I was hoping for some suggestions.

Thanks!

I recommend dinner to Simons and tickets to the Funny Bone

 

[CycloneDaddy]

West Glen they could eat at Bone Fish, Funny Bone, then drinks at the bars to get the mixture right for 5 minutes of boom boom time at the hotel there.

 

[clonerules]

West Glen they could eat at Bone Fish, Funny Bone, then drinks at the bars to get the mixture right for 5 minutes of boom boom time at the hotel there.

Boo. Why spend your money at chains when you can support local families?

 

[JP4CY]

As an adult I find the Operating Room fun. You can do a gift card for there and a restaurant like Wasabi.

 

[DevilDog]

West Glen they could eat at Bone Fish, Funny Bone, then drinks at the bars to get the mixture right for 5 minutes of boom boom time at the hotel there.

For our 1st Anniversary did Bone Fish, Funny Bone & finally the big thick bone!

 

[capitalcityguy]

I recommend dinner to Simons and tickets to the Funny Bone

I love Simon's, but he was looking for walkable options.

 

[Trice]

Some good suggestions here but Flying Mango is the correct answer.

 

[capitalcityguy]

Hello fanatics, I looked through 13 pages of old off topic threads and couldn't find my answer so here goes.

I want to give a Christmas gift to sister and BIL (early 30s, two kids under 4). They don't get out much recently but they live near Ankeny. I'm thinking a gift card to a restaurant/brewery that was within walking distance of some entertainment.

What does Des Moines/Ankeny/Ames area offer for quality breweries, restaurants, shows etc? They've probably been to several of the usual stops and they're not much for the Court Ave college bars.

Sorry I don't have a lot of specifics, but that might help keep options open. For his 30th bday we took a group to the Iowa Taproom and he loved it. Great beer/food, but that was all we did. I don't remember what's near there for entertainment so I was hoping for some suggestions.

Thanks!

Entertainment: you have the Temple Theater (which offers several different things - comedy, plays, musicals, etc) and Centro is located on the ground floor so everything is in one building. You also have the Sculpture Park right there for a nice walk....and other restaurant/drink options in addition to Centro.

If you want more specific ideas (and know what kind of food and entertainment they might like)....and maybe even time of the year you see them using it, feel free to PM me (or add it to this thread) with those additional details.

IMO, if they are in Ankeny, it will make more of an impression if you set something up for them downtown. That said, if they don't ever get out, anything might be a treat for them.

 

[Joe4Cy]

Entertainment options:

TeeHee's Comedy Club

OR

Comedy XPeriment!

 

[capitalcityguy]

Some good suggestions here but Flying Mango is the correct answer.

Again...great restaurant, but the OP had few requirements but one of the was walkable to entertainment. Nothing in terms of entertainment close to Mango.

 

[Trice]

Again...great restaurant, but the OP had few requirements but one of the was walkable to entertainment. Nothing in terms of entertainment close to Mango.

My fault, I overlooked the walkable part.