Boulevards, Bulldogs & Barbecue
The Drake Neighborhood is one of the oldest, largest, and most diverse neighborhoods in Des Moines. Anchored by its namesake, Drake University, the neighborhood stretches from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to 42nd Street and Interstate 235 to Franklin Avenue.
Just minutes from downtown Des Moines, it is home to beautiful boulevards, mature trees, established churches, and a unique mix of turn-of-the-century homes and apartments.
Many amenities are within walking distance: a world-class university; locally owned coffee houses, barbecue and sushi restaurants, diners and cafes, hair salons; specialty shops selling everything from crystals and incense to halal groceries and flowers.
During the school year, the neighborhood bustles with university students (Go, Bulldogs!). Every spring, it welcomes visitors and alumni for the Drake Relays. In the summer, it is home to the LSI Global Greens Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
The Drake Neighborhood Association, an all-volunteer association founded in 1979, is the city's second oldest neighborhood association. We celebrate the history and unique character of the neighborhood, work to build a sense of community in all its corners, strive to give neighbors a voice in new developments, roll up our sleeves to preserve its natural beauty, and welcome new residents and visitors who make our neighborhood even better.
