Des Moines has something extra to smile about this week: the city just received notable national recognition, according to 98.1 KHAK. While the full details of the honor are still making the rounds locally, the buzz is real — and residents have good reason to feel proud of their hometown.

It is no secret that Des Moines has been quietly building a reputation as one of the Midwest’s most livable, welcoming, and opportunity-rich cities. Recognition at the national level reflects the hard work of residents, community leaders, businesses, and organizations who invest in making the metro a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Adding to the good vibes around town, Wilson’s Orchard & Farm is kicking off fall in style with its Crimson Crisp Kickoff apple-picking event, giving Des Moines-area families a classic seasonal tradition to enjoy together. The farm is also gearing up for its popular Alien Invasion Corn Maze, a Halloween-season staple that draws crowds from across the metro each year. Whether you are filling a basket with fresh-picked apples or navigating a twisting corn maze under the autumn sky, Wilson’s Orchard offers the kind of wholesome, community-centered fun that makes this time of year so special in central Iowa.

Together, these moments — a city earning its place on the national stage and neighbors gathering at a beloved local farm — capture what makes Des Moines worth celebrating. As the leaves begin to turn and the air carries that familiar crisp edge, it is a fine time to be part of this community.

Stay tuned for more details on Des Moines’s national recognition as the story continues to develop locally.

Sources: 98.1 KHAK, The Des Moines Register, The Des Moines Register