Drake Area

The Drake Neighborhood is one of the oldest, largest, and most diverse neighborhoods in Des Moines. Anchored by its namesake, Drake University, it's bounded by Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway on the east, Interstate 235 on the south, 42nd Street on the west, and Franklin Avenue on the north. Just minutes from downtown Des Moines, the neighborhood is home to beautiful boulevards, mature trees, established churches, and a mix of unique turn-of-the-century homes. Many amenities are within walking distance: locally owned coffee houses, barbecue and sushi restaurants, diners and cafes, hair salons, and specialty shops.  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 hosts a weekly farmers market with farm-fresh produce, ready-to-eat food, and live music.

Founded in 1881 and named for Civil War general Francis Marion Drake, the Drake University boasts more than 130 years of proud history and many traditions. Drake is recognized as one of the finest institutions of higher learning in the Midwest. A midsized, private university in Des Moines, Iowa, that offers the benefits and resources of a larger institution along with the advantages of intimate class sizes and close personal relationships.