We often talk about creating “pride points” around the city here at LLG+D. What do we mean by that? Well, simply, we want to create locations all over the city that residents are proud of. We want to create the places where you have to take your friends to see. We want to help create art so iconic that when you see it in a picture, you know exactly where your friends are.
So I’ve rounded up my favorite “pride points” / places to take a picture for my Instagram around Des Moines, Iowa. Yes, many of these places happen to be our projects but not all! We’ve included, truly, our favorite spots where you just have to go take a picture.
Whether you are taking a picture up close or from far away, Jenna’s mural works on so many levels. Her florals are gorgeous and the sentiment rings so true. My heart really does belong to Des Moines.
Ben’s mural has become one of those places you just have to get your picture taken in front of when you’re in Des Moines. Our city has a true love of its beer and biking culture and the Exile mural has become the perfect piece to display that. Visit it on your bike and grab a beer after riding the nearby trail system.
This Must Be The Place by Anna Frederick
Location: RoCA
Talk about an iconic moment in our city. If you look throughout instagram, it is filled with people interacting with this mural. This was the wall that really began our love of making murals happen. When we were approaching artists to participate, we had to have Anna’s work and she knocked it out of the park. It’s so simple but powerful. Hand lettering at its most beautiful.
Talk about another instagram favorite. This entire bar is designed beautifully but this neon sign is the standout feature. Any Des Moines girl worth her salt, has posed in front of this sign at least once.
The Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Various artists
Location: Locust St.
No Des Moines list would be complete without the sculpture park. I just can’t overstate how special this place has been for the entire city. My two favorite spots for a photo are Nomad by Jaume Plensa and Olafur Eliasson’s Panoramic Awareness Pavillion,
but definitely make time to explore around the entire park.
Chris’s Grandmother Painting
Location: Bubba
Tucked around in the lounge is a beautiful recreation of a family portrait. Chris Diebel, an owner of Bubba, has long loved this painting of his grandmother. The original still sits in Waco, TX, but we sent a photographer down to his grandmother’s home and then had it recreated and framed. She’s clearly the ultimate lady, and has become the spot to have your picture taken while enjoying a mint julep or a bourbon.
The Luchadore Mural by Mark Flores
Location: Malo
This restaurant and this mural started my love affair with working in restaurants. Bold design and a theme are a killer combination for my creativity. When you’re hanging with the luchadore here, everyone knows you’re enjoying a perfect margarita and delicious taco at Malo.
World class art and architecture, with the prettiest rose garden nestled back behind the building adjacent from a few Andy Goldworthy sculptures. Do not sleep on this museum, it truly has too many wonderful places to even begin to list. See it all.
We also made it easy for you to find these Insta-worthy spots, by pinning all the locations on a Google map (above). Heck, make a day of it!
