January 01, 2021 • travel
Experience Des Moines, Iowa, Like Chris Soules on 'The Bachelor'

Des Moines, Iowa, embodies several traits that show why the Midwest is such a beloved region. Des Moines is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country thanks to a booming arts and culture scene and its stature as home base to a number of industries.
Named as one of the best places to live in the country, Des Moines will immediately feel like home when you step off the plane and into the city. When you visit, it’ll be for all the right reasons as you and your loved one grow your relationship and do so in one of the most beloved cities.
Chris Soules traveled to Des Moines on Season 19 of “The Bachelor,” and here’s how you can have just as lovely an experience.
Arrival
From small inns to larger hotels, you’ll have your share of options to choose from when it comes to accommodations in Des Moines. If you want to be just like Chris and the ladies, check out the rooms at the Renaissance Savery Hotel. The Renaissance Savery Hotel is located in beautiful downtown Des Moines just blocks away from the famous gold-domed State Capitol building, as well as the Des Moines River.
You and your date are sure to have a sweet time at the Savery!
One-on-One Date: Friday Night Sights
Bachelor Chris hails from the small town of Arlington (population: less than 500), which sits about 2.5 hours outside of Des Moines. He and his date attended a football game at his alma mater, Starmont High School, for their evening out.
While you and your plus-one might not make the trek out to Arlington, you can still attend other sporting events in Des Moines. No matter the season, you and your date can get a taste of local Des Moines sports culture by checking out any number of games. Cheer on the home team just as you’re cheering on your relationship goals!
You’ll be in for a touchdown of an evening.

One-on-One Date: Life Imitates Art
They say life imitates art, and you can get your fill of exhibits and galleries here in Des Moines. Spend the day wandering around the city checking out one or a few of the several museums in the area. Whether you attend a dance show, theater, or a classic art museum, you’ll be surrounded by the best Des Moines has to offer.
Just like the medium itself, love takes many shapes and forms. Use this opportunity to see how else your relationship can grow and how art can bring you two even closer together. Document your time together via photography or painting, and see how love imitates art, too.
Group Date: Don’t Puck It Up
On “The Bachelor,” Chris and the ladies played ice hockey at Wells Fargo Arena, one of the main athletic and entertainment venues in the city. Though you and your dates may not be able to hit a puck back and forth on the floor of Wells Fargo Arena, you can still go ice skating at some different locations around the city. Plus, you can also attend a game at Wells Fargo Arena if there’s one when you’re in town! If you and your dates opt for ice skating, it’s the perfect way to sneak in a little extra PDA.
After your day on the ice, check out West End Salvage, a café and shop unlike any other you’ll see. West End Salvage collects and sells furniture from all over the world. Perhaps you’ll find a new favorite chair or table that perfectly represents your budding relationship. Don’t forget to clink your coffee cups together and make a toast to the progress your relationship has made during your time in Des Moines.
Des Moines may be in the Midwest, but it’s anything but middle of the road. The city is bursting with culture, life, arts, and love, and you’ll be feeling exactly the same when you visit.