Highland Park is a hidden gem on the north side of Des Moines that is making leaps and bounds at restoring it to its former glory. The business district along Sixth Avenue in Highland Park is one particular area that has seen a lot of business growth. If you live in Des Moines or visiting Des Moines, take some time to stroll through this neighborhood. You’ll find tons of great food, shopping and artwork! 

One popular place is Des Moines Mercantile. As you can probably guess by the name, it is an old fashioned general store with local goods that range from soaps and candles to children’s toys and planners. It also helps that Mallory and Jordan, the owners, are some of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Next on the list is the infamous Hiland Bakery.  Get your taste buds ready for a whole lot of yum because Hiland Bakery knows what they are doing; they have been around since 1946! Their doughnuts amazing and their selection is incredible. Another fantastic place to stop if you need a little “pick me up” is The Slow Down. They have great coffee and a fantastic space to catch up with friends or read a good book. They also have this gorgeous mural gracing their walls by Marissa Hernandez who also has murals in Art Terrarium and The Candle Bar DSM. Speaking of art, on the side of Des Moines Mercantile there is an amazing mural done by the brilliant Amy Putney Koenig complete with Mallory and Jordan’s pup, Finch. Amy also has murals in Big Acai, Clive Learning Academy, and The Village at Grays Lake. Chucks is graced with a fun and spunky Chris Vance mural. You would recognize his other work from the Sanitation Department in the East Village. The incredible Ben Schuh also has a mural in the area near the entrance of the neighborhood on the side of The Slow Down. You may recognize his work from the amazing mural he painted the summer of 2019 in downtown Des Moines or his plein aire paintings from around Des Moines. These are just a few interesting parts of Highland Park so be sure to take some time to check out this area of Des Moines!