Getting around
Getting around from Court Avenue
The reason to live downtown is that much of it is a walk. Here is where the main destinations are, in miles, and how transit and the airport fit in. We give miles, not drive times, because the time depends on the hour and a road mile does not.
On foot
Downtown is the point of the address. The Farmers' Market is on the street in season, the Hy-Vee is about 0.1 mile away, Cowles Commons is about 0.4 miles, and Court Avenue's restaurants and bars are at street level. For most residents the daily errands and the walk to work are just that, a walk.
By bus
Des Moines Area Regional Transit, DART, runs the region's buses. Its downtown hub is the DART Central Station on Cerro Gordo Street, about 0.3 mile from the buildings, where the routes connect. Routes, numbers and schedules change, and the free downtown D-Line shuttle was discontinued in late 2024, so plan any trip on ridedart.com or the Transit app from 308 Court Ave rather than trusting a route number printed here.
By car and by air
The car still reaches everything. Gray's Lake Park is 2.5 miles south, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park is 1.1 miles west, and Des Moines International Airport is 5.2 miles south down Fleur Drive. Optional off-street parking is available at the buildings for a monthly fee; ask the leasing team what is open. Court & Marketplace rents one- and two-bedroom homes across both buildings, 308 and 312 Court Ave, with an in-unit washer and dryer in most homes and bulk internet included with rent. Live floor plans and today’s pricing are on the availability page.
Questions people ask
How far is Court & Marketplace from the Des Moines airport?
Des Moines International Airport is 5.2 miles south by road, down Fleur Drive. We give the distance, not a drive time, because the time depends on traffic.
Is there a bus near Court & Marketplace?
Yes. DART runs the region's buses, with its downtown hub, the DART Central Station on Cerro Gordo Street, about 0.3 mile away. Plan trips on ridedart.com; routes and schedules change.
Is the free downtown D-Line shuttle still running?
No. DART discontinued the free D-Line downtown shuttle in late 2024. Check ridedart.com for the routes that serve downtown now.
Do I need a car living on Court Avenue?
Not for the basics, which are within a walk. A car still helps for larger trips and the airport, 5.2 miles away. Optional off-street parking is available at the buildings for a monthly fee.
DART details are from Des Moines Area Regional Transit (ridedart.com); the D-Line shuttle's discontinuation in November 2024 is from DART. Distances are by road from 308 Court Ave, measured with OpenStreetMap routing, October 2026.
More about living here
- Living in the Court Avenue District
- The Downtown Farmers' Market, out the door
- Parks and trails near Court Avenue
- Groceries and everyday errands downtown
- Eating and drinking on Court Avenue
- Things to do downtown
- Court Avenue Lofts and Market Place Lofts: which is which
- The floor plans, explained
- The fitness center, business center and lounge
- Pet-friendly apartments on Court Avenue
- How to apply at Court & Marketplace
- Working from home on Court Avenue
- What residents say about Court & Marketplace
- The Court Avenue District guide
- All questions