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Des Moines, Iowa

City Guide

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Features of this Destination

Corn, cattle, and rolling fields all bring to mind the State of Iowa, as do covered bridges and fields of brilliant wildflowers.  Iowa, the backdrop for the famous Grant Wood painting entitled American Gothic, was also the first state to legalize riverboat gambling…and then, there is Des Moines.

The area now known as Des Moines began as a military post in the 1840's. Several of such posts were set up in the area to protect the rights of the Sac Indians. The garrison, named Fort Des Moines, was decommissioned shortly thereafter. The town of Fort Des Moines emerged from the few people who remained.   By the late 1850's, 'Des Moines' was officially the capital of Iowa.

As Iowa's capital city, Des Moines is a hub of government action, business activity, arts and cultural affairs. With a city population approaching 200,000 and a metro population of nearly 500,000, Des Moines offers some of the nation's best schools, superb public services, and friendly, caring neighborhoods.  Des Moines is headquarters for many and varied businesses but in the forefront is the Insurance industry. Iowa holds the distinction of being one of the top three centers for insurance in the world.  More than 385 factories in Des Moines produce everything from farm machinery to food products.

The state's capital city is bisected by the Des Moines River.  The gold-domed state capitol, which contains elaborate wood trim and multicolored marble, can’t be missed.   The nearby State of Iowa Historical Building contains exhibits related to the state's development, including a Conestoga wagon, examples of Native American beadwork and crafts from the Amana community.

Architects Eero Saarinen, I. M. Pei and Richard Meier each designed a section of the striking Des Moines Arts Center museum, which houses a collection of American and European masterpieces and modern sculpture. Just behind the art center is the Science Center of Iowa, filled with hands-on exhibits exploring nature and physics. The Living History Farms (open May through October) is a 600-acre complex of working farms west of town that cover three centuries of history. The farms contain a replica of an Ioway Indian village circa 1700, a pioneer farm from the mid 1800s, a horse farm from the early 20th century, and a modern-day agricultural operation.

There are a number of historic homes in Des Moines, particularly in the Sherman Hill neighborhood, that are open to visitors.  Terrace Hill was built in 1869 and now serves as the residence of the governor. Jordan House, built in 1850, was once the home of James Jordan, who aided escaped slaves as they fled north. The Hoyt Sherman Place is a Victorian mansion built in 1877 that now contains an art gallery and period furnishings. 

The Des Moines Botanical Center displays a rich collection of exotic plants under a 75-foot dome, and the Blank Park Zoo affords visitors a delightful walk through natural-habitat exhibits. After seeing the sights, relax and eat at the refurbished Court Avenue District, a center for food and entertainment. The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is home to Ballet Iowa and the Des Moines Symphony.  Next to the Center is Nollen Plaza, a park that features a waterfall, a reflecting pool, and a 2,000 seat amphitheater.28 blocks of downtown Des Moines are connected by several miles of enclosed, climate-controlled skywalks which provide total comfort in navigating from place to place for shopping, dining, and business.

Depending on the season, sports fans might want to catch a minor league baseball game when the Iowa Cubs play at Taylor Stadium.  Football fans can enjoy an afternoon with the Iowa Barnstormers, an arena football team. The Buccaneers excel at Hockey.

While in Des Moines, antique collectors will want to explore Valley Junction, a most interesting collection of antique and specialty shops. The town also hosts a Farmers Market every Saturday, from late May to September.

For family fun, take in the thrills and excitement of Adventureland Park.  This theme park has a wooden roller coaster as the centerpiece of its Wild West area.  There is also fun and adventure waiting at White Water University:  a water park with a variety of slides, a wave pool, a children’s play area, and miniature golf.   For the adults, a popular Des Moines area destination is Prairie Meadows in neighboring Altoona where there is a horse track and casino.

Snowmobiling and ice fishing are winter activities enjoyed at Big Creek State Park.  Water Works Park sparkles with the annual Jolly Holiday light display and animations in December.  Des Moines is thriving.  It is  a place of enthusiasm and productivity, and also a city of beauty and tranquility.


 

 
Area Attractions

Court Avenue District Historic District Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 244-7211 In the heart of downtown, you will find this district has a lot to offer. Saturdays from May through October, a vibrant farmers market comes alive with a wide variety of choice and quality goods. Fine restaurants and many retail shops make it a wonderful place to stroll. When the lights go down, another Des Moines comes alive in this area. Here you will find a variety of musical entertainment, theater and dancing.

Science Center of Iowa 4500 Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50312 (515) 274-4138 This excellent science center hosts a great permanent collection and many special events throughout the year including live demonstrations and education programs. The Center also features a planetarium complete with laser shows as well as the Challenger learning center with an immersive shuttle simulator. Don't forget to visit the gift store before leaving.

Blank Park Zoo 7401 SW 9th Street Des Moines, IA Plan a trip to this Zoo on your visit. Animals from five different continents roam through magnificently landscaped habitats. These simulated habitats feature natural exhibits where visitors can observe over 800 different species. For children of all ages, there is also a petting area. A gift shop and snack bar complete the Zoo's attractions.

Historic Valley Junction 217 Fifth Street/South door Fifth Street (physical address) West Des Moines, IA 50265 (515) 222-3642 If you fancy just strolling and browsing, then come down to Historic Valley Junction. Here you'll find numerous shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, art galleries and antique haunts. Fun by day or night, this is one of the earliest settlements around Des Moines, dating from the mid-1840s when James C. Jordan first built and settled the area. He later went on to become a State Senator. Jordan's home became known as a safe haven on the 'Underground Railroad' and it was with money from Jordan that the Valley railroad was born. With the railroad came the businesses. Once a coal mining community, Des Moines quickly became a major railroad hub with the repair shops and switching yards of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. The town expanded as more investment moved to the area. A vibrant downtown grew up with banks, schools, a trolley line and new homes, attracting all sorts of characters, not all of them reputable! Nowadays, though, downtown Des Moines certainly presents a more family-friendly atmosphere.

Birthplace of John Wayne 224 S. 2nd Street, Winterset, IA (515)462-1044 While in Des Moines, you should check out the birthplace of an American Icon, John Wayne. See where life began for this world famous star. The four-roomed home built in 1880 has been brought back to its appearance of 1907. Here you can reminise on the 'Duke's' life by viewing the memorabilia and photographs. Visit the gift shop and welcome center, too.

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Des Moines, IA (exit 142 off I-80) Tel: (515) 967-1000 (800) 325 9015 For a change of pace and a little fun-filled action, enjoy a day or evening at the racetrack and casino.

Des Moines Art Center 4700 Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50312 (515) 277-4405 The Art Center complex is composed of three buildings situated at the entrance to Greenwood Park, an impressive hilltop location for this award-winning design by the internationally known architects, Saarinen, Meier and Pei. It's a fitting structure to house the wonderful collections inside. The works of many famous artists from the 19th and 20th centuries are inspiration for taking one of the many classes offered here from painting to sculpture to photography, papermaking, ceramics and many more. Whether a family workshop or an individual project, there's a great variety to choose from. The Art Center is well known for its neighborhood outreach programs. The Arts after Hours program happens on the first Friday of each month bringing live entertainment to the Art Center. There's also a cash bar and coffee bar. A wide variety of lectures, readings, poetry and films are regularly scheduled at the Center, a gem of culture in the heart of Des Moines.