Your daily base is the Knapp Center on Drake's campus at 2601 Forest Ave, with game days under the lights at historic Drake Stadium next door at 2719 Forest Ave. Everything in this guide is anchored to that Forest Avenue core so you can keep travel time short and recovery time long.
The walkable streets immediately west and southwest of campus where teammates, upperclassmen, and grad students cluster within minutes of the Knapp Center.
A leafy, tight-knit neighborhood about three miles northwest of downtown with brick Tudors, a small shopping district, and a strong safety record.
Des Moines' oldest neighborhood, full of restored Victorian homes, community events, and one of the most walkable settings in the city.
A modern, family-friendly suburb northwest of the city known for its Greenbelt trail along Walnut Creek and newer rental communities.
The metro's upscale southwest corner anchored by Jordan Creek Town Center, with newer luxury apartment communities, shopping, and dining.