Des Moines Waterfront
Des Moines is a town that makes good use of its Puget Sound waterfront. The historic heart of Des Moines is its Beach Park – site of its first homestead and later a sawmill. The new Beach Park Auditorium has just opened on the site. Alongside is the Des Moines Marina, a full service marina with room for 840 recreational vessels. Attached to the marina is the Des Moines Yacht Club, established in 1957 and featuring monthly cruises for members. June through October at the north end of the marina you’ll find the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market (farmers market on Facebook) whose vendors have all pledged to uphold environment stewardship principles that support the long term viability of farmland. Fine dining is to be found on the Des Moines Waterfront at Anthony’s Homeport Des Moines, overlooking the marina, and Salty’s at Redondo Beach with views of the Olympics and Maury Island.
The Des Moines Arts Commission puts on many events along the waterfront, including a summer concert series. Fireworks are set off at the marina on July 4th. At Christmas time the Argosy Christmas Ship visits for caroling around a bonfire on the beach.
South of downtown Des Moines is a popular state park: Saltwater State Park. Don’t forget to bring your Discover Pass to pay for parking at any Washington State Park.