Des Moines has gone a long way in the past several decades to establish itself as a thriving Midwest cultural center. Des Moines is home to large insurance firms as well as a prominent political landscape, as well as sculpture parks, botanical gardens, and a vibrant retail and eating scene. The pleasant smiles you'll see on the street are proof that native Iowans are proud of their capital city.
Des Moines is the epicenter of Iowa history, which is continuously being written. The gold-domed State Capitol building, for example, gleams with the state's 170-year history. Other attractions, including the Salisbury House and Gardens and the Hoyt Sherman Theater, as well as downtown shops and historic monuments, showcase the city's rich cultural history.
Catching an evening baseball game under the lights or visiting an outstanding art collection are two more great things to do in Des Moines. At the Science Center of Iowa, you may engage with science, and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden has something fresh in bloom every season.
The East Village, Des Moines' trendiest area, is only a short walk away. Our list of the best attractions in Des Moines may help you come up with additional touring ideas.
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1. The Statehouse
The State Capitol's gold dome can be viewed from numerous vantage points around Des Moines. While the exterior picture is postcard-worthy, discovering the history within is a fantastic way to spend an Iowa day.
The interior of the State Capitol is adorned with large works of art and a hand-carved design that radiates the prestige of the history made within its walls. Home to the governor's office and many sectors of the Iowa government, including the Iowa Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives, the interior of the State Capitol is also adorned with large works of art and a hand-carved design that radiates the prestige of the history made within its walls.
For parties of 10 or more, free guided tours are offered every day of the week. Every visitor is free to wander the hallways and explore the open rooms on their own, even standing atop the glass floor, which provides a spectacular view of the gold dome inside.
The Royal Law Library, located on the second level, is also accessible to the public and has the state's most magnificent book collection.
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50319
2. Iowa Science Center
While the Science Center of Iowa is geared at children of all ages, don't be shocked if adults enjoy themselves as well. Permanent and rotating hands-on displays encourage experiential learning in this award-winning venue. The Science Center also has a planetarium where you can look at the sky, as well as an IMAX Theater where you can get a greater view of the world around you.
The Science Center of Iowa, in addition to dedicated children's displays, also provides adult-oriented activities that promote socialization through science. A number of children's camps, seminars, and after-school programs are also held at the site. Summer camps at SCI are especially popular, with topics ranging from STEM to renewable technology intensives.
Des Moines, Iowa (401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy)
3. The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, situated in Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines, is a 4.4-acre manicured area containing more than 20 pieces of sculptured art. Since 2009, the park has been delighting Des Moines residents with beautiful sculptures, and it is a fantastic location for families, visitors, and anybody taking a lunch break.
The Sculpture Garden and its surroundings are enjoyable to visit at any time of year, but during the summer, these well-known locations host a variety of community events, including the Des Moines Arts Festival.
Every year in June, the Des Moines Arts Festival is a real celebration of summer in Des Moines. Hundreds of artists, merchants, and pleasant faces flood the greenspace and sidewalks during the Art Festival.
The annual 80/35 Music Festival, which takes place at Western Gateway Park, is Des Moines' biggest music festival. This rapidly expanding music event is named after two major highways in Iowa that cross paths: Interstate 80 and Interstate 35.
1330 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50401
4. Salisbury House and Gardens
The Salisbury House and Gardens, built in the 1920s by businessman Carl Weeks and his wife Edith, sits quietly in the neighborhoods south of Grand Avenue. Despite the fact that no one has lived in this 42-room mansion for almost six decades, there is still enough of life and culture to discover.
Whether you're a history enthusiast, antique collector, or simply a casual explorer, the Salisbury House and Gardens, as well as the history it contains, may pique the attention of everyone in your family.
A self-guided tour of the restored portions of the house and grounds is available for a modest entry charge that benefits the Salisbury House Foundation.
However, taking part in a guided tour, which enables customers to see places that are usually closed to the public, is well worth your time. The guided tour tells the tale of how this home, which resembles a royal estate, came to be in Des Moines and contains a luxurious library and study.
4025 Tonawanda Dr, Des Moines, Iowa 50319
5. Des Moines Art Center
Since 1948, the Des Moines Art Center has been presenting fine art. This important cultural destination has grown in terms of floor area, exhibitions, and the community that surrounds it throughout this period.
The Des Moines Arts Center has continuously changing exhibitions by local and nationally famous artists, as well as permanent works by artists such as Matisse, Monet, and O'Keeffe (to mention a few). Free entry is also available at the Des Moines Art Center.
Participating in one of the numerous educational programs or guided tours provided by the institution provides an enhanced experience of everything the center has to offer, shedding light on the artists behind the work.
The Des Moines Art Center's grounds are also nicely maintained and ideal for a walk. Greenwood/Ashworth Park, which is nearby, provides even additional outdoor play area. The Art Center Café caters to creative preferences for midday appetites.
Des Moines, Iowa, 4700 Grand Avenue
6. Principal Park
Principal Park, formerly known as Sec Taylor Stadium, is situated in downtown Des Moines at the beautiful confluence of the Iowa and Racoon Rivers. It is home to Iowa's Triple-A minor league baseball club, the Iowa Cubs, which was renovated in 1992 and is now considered one of the finest minor league stadiums in the country.
But it's not only the beautiful stadium that draws the crowds to Principal Park; it's something more intangible that grabs everyone's attention. It might be the scents of freshly cut grass and hot dogs in the summer, or the sound of a stadium filled with fans roaring on their favorite team, or even the crisp crack of a bat after a well-timed swing. Principal Park, whatever it is, has all the elements for America's favorite pastime.
You don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate why Principal Park is a top Des Moines attraction, especially when you consider the extra-innings and special events available, such as fireworks on July 4th and community activities like car shows throughout the season.
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