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Halfway between Seattle and Tacoma, Des Moines faces Puget Sound across Poverty Bay, with long views to Vashon Island and the Olympic Mountains. The city takes its name from Des Moines, Iowa, whose residents helped fund the early settlement, but its life revolves entirely around salt water.
In the early 1900s steamers of the mosquito fleet called at its dock, and church groups held summer camps on the beach where Des Moines Creek meets the Sound. That campground is now Des Moines Beach Park, a historic district of old lodges and lawns. Next door, a large marina with a long public fishing pier anchors the small downtown, which hosts a Saturday market in summer.
South of the center, Saltwater State Park offers a sandy beach, forest trails and an artificial reef popular with scuba divers, and the Redondo neighborhood has a boardwalk and a small marine science aquarium. The Waterland Festival each summer brings a parade and community events to the waterfront.
A waterfront park on the site of an old church summer camp, where Des Moines Creek meets Puget Sound. Historic lodges and an auditorium sit among lawns and big trees, and a pebble beach looks across to Vashon Island. The park hosts weddings and events, so weekend parking can fill up.
A large public marina in the heart of town with hundreds of boat slips, a boardwalk and a long fishing pier reaching into Poverty Bay. Walk to the end of the pier for views of the Olympics and passing ferries. Crabbing and fishing from the pier are allowed with a state license.
A grand brick building of the 1920s on a bluff above Puget Sound, built as a retirement home for Masons and now used as an event venue called The Landmark. Its tower and long facade are visible from the water. The interior is open only for events, but the exterior and grounds can be seen from the road.
A state park in a wooded ravine that opens onto a Puget Sound beach, with picnic shelters, forest trails and a campground. Offshore, an artificial reef draws scuba divers and sea life. At low tide explore the shoreline for crabs and anemones. A Discover Pass is needed for parking.
A boardwalk along the Redondo shoreline at the south end of the city, with benches, a public fishing pier and a boat launch. It is a favorite entry point for scuba divers exploring the underwater slopes below. Sunsets over Maury Island are lovely, and parking is in a pay lot across the road.
Highline College's Marine Science and Technology Center at Redondo, with tanks of local Puget Sound animals such as octopus, rockfish, sea stars and anemones, plus touch tanks for children. Volunteers explain the creatures. It is usually open to the public on Saturdays, so plan your visit around that.
A paved trail of about two miles following Des Moines Creek through a wooded ravine from near Sea-Tac Airport down to Des Moines Beach Park. It is gentle enough for strollers and bikes, and the shade makes it pleasant on warm days. Start at the top and finish at the beach for a mostly downhill walk.
A long-running community festival held each summer, with a parade through downtown, a car show, a fun run, live music and family activities near the marina. It is a friendly small-town event with local food vendors and crafts. Check dates in advance, as it is usually held over a weekend in July or August.
A seasonal Saturday market at the marina with local produce, berries, flowers, baked goods and hot food, plus live music on many days. The waterfront setting makes it easy to combine with a pier walk. It runs from early summer into autumn; arrive in the morning for the best choice of produce.
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Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
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Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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