Des Moines, IA Attractions
Iowa's capital, Des Moines, lies approximately in the center of the state. Features of interest are the State Capitol with its gilded roof (1871), the Iowa State Historical Museum, the Botanical Center and the Des Moines Art Center. Outside the city, to the north-west lies the Heritage Village, with four "living history farms" in which country life in the 18th and 19th c. is re-created. In Indianola, 12 mi. to the south, is the National Balloon Museum. A major hot-air balloon event is held here at the end of July.
Des Moines (pop. 530,000) is the largest city in Iowa.
Des Moines (pop. 530,000) is the largest city in Iowa.
Des Moines Botanical Center
The Des Moines Botanical Center is housed within a geodesic dome that features free-flying birds and over 1,750 species of plants that include a bonsai collection and seasonal flowers.
All values are in United States Dollars
Des Moines Botanical Center
909 Robert D. Ray Drive
Des Moines, IA 50316-2854
United States
909 Robert D. Ray Drive
Des Moines, IA 50316-2854
United States
Phone 1 (515) 323-6290
Fax 1 (515) 309-2484
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
| Adult | $ 5.00 |
| Senior over 65 | $ 4.00 |
| Child 17 & under | $ 3.00 |
| Child 3 & under | FREE |
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
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State Capitol
Built in the late 1800s, the Iowa State Capitol is known for various types and colors of marble, the art works that adorn the walls, carvings and sculptures, and collection of flags, among other details.
Des Moines Art Center
The Des Moines Art Center features a collection of 19th and 20th century art with an emphasis on contemporary works. Artworks by Francis Bacon, Francisco Goya, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Brice Mardin, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Georgia O'Keeffe and Andy Warhol are featured.
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312-2002
United States
4700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312-2002
United States
Phone 1 (515) 277-4405
Fax 1 (515) 271-0357
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 21:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May )
American Independance Day (July 4)
Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
Columbus Day - USA (2nd Monday, October )
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May )
American Independance Day (July 4)
Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
Columbus Day - USA (2nd Monday, October )
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Iowa State Fair
The fairgrounds in Des Moines offer campgrounds, picnic shelters, indoor/outdoor show ring, and a half-mile dirt track. There are numerous buildings available to rent such as the 4-H Exhibits Building and Cattle Barn.
The State Fair runs for 10 days in August offering a midway, entertainment, contests, daily events as well as over 200 food stands.
The State Fair runs for 10 days in August offering a midway, entertainment, contests, daily events as well as over 200 food stands.
Iowa State Fair
Box 57130
Des Moines, IA 50317
United States
Box 57130
Des Moines, IA 50317
United States
Phone 1 (515) 262-3111
Fax 1 (515) 262-6906
Blank Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo is home to 1,484 animal from 104 different animal species.
All values are in United States Dollars
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
United States
7401 SW 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
United States
Phone 1 (515) 285-4722
Fax 1 (515) 974-2590
Hours
May 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
June 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 20:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 1 to September 3
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Adult | $ 8.00 |
| Senior over 65 | $ 6.00 |
| Child 12 & under | $ 4.00 |
| Child 2 & under | FREE |
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Wheelchair loan or rental
Restaurant or food service
Wheelchair loan or rental
Hoyt Sherman Place
This manor house was built in Des Moines in 1877 by prominent businessman Hoyt Sherman. The Victorian mansion is decorated with carved woodwork, wainscoting, marble fireplaces and brass chandeliers. The art gallery features a collection of 19th and 20th century paintings.
Hoyt Sherman Place
1501 Woodland Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309-3213
United States
1501 Woodland Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309-3213
United States
Phone 1 (515) 244-0507
Fax 1 (515) 237-3582
Iowa Historical Building
Hands-on exhibits at the Iowa Historical Building in Des Moines include geological and natural development of the state, civic and military history, American Indian culture and transportation displays.
State Historical Society of Iowa
600 East Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0290
United States
600 East Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0290
United States
Phone 1 (515) 281-5111
Fax 1 (515) 282-0502
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Parking
Free
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Manning, Iowa
(Near Des Moines)
Manning is a community with a small town atmosphere featuring warm summers and cold winters. Some of the town's highlights include the historic Hausbarn, the Manning Heritage Park, the Leet-Hassler Farmstead, and the Forgotten Corner Museum. Of course, just wandering down the wide, brick paved Main Street is also enjoyable.
Polk County Heritage Gallery
The Classical Beaux Arts style building that holds the Polk County Heritage Gallery was originally a post office completed in 1908. The Gallery features changing exhibits of visual arts.
Salisbury House
The a 42-room Salisbury House in Des Moines was built by Iowans Carl and Edith Weeks between 1923 and 1928. It is modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England. The house is filled with the Weeks' original furnishings and collection of rare objects of art, paintings, tapestries, books, and letters.
Salisbury House
4025 Tonawanda Drive
Des Moines, IA 50312-2909
United States
4025 Tonawanda Drive
Des Moines, IA 50312-2909
United States
Phone 1 (515) 274-1777
Fax 1 (515) 274-0184
Hours
March 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Public tours Tuesday through Sundays 11am and 2:30 pm.
Closed January and February for cleaning and restoration.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Science Center of Iowa
The Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines has hands-on exhibits that include physical and life sciences, a planetarium, a Challenger Learning Center and laser light shows. Interactive exhibits, live programs and hands-on activities allow visitors to discover the wonderful world of science.
All values are in United States Dollars
Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Des Moines, IA 50309
United States
401 W Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Des Moines, IA 50309
United States
Phone 1 (515) 274-6868
Fax 1 (515) 274-3404
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 20:00 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
| Adult | $ 18.25 |
| Senior over 65 | $ 16.75 |
| Child 12 & under | $ 15.25 |
| Child 1 & under | FREE |
Terrace Hill
Benjamin Franklin Allen, Iowa's first millionaire, built Terrace Hill in Des Moines in 1866. The house contained very modern features for its time, such as hot and cold running water, gas lights, a lift, and indoor restrooms. Highlights of the mansion include stained-glass windows, crystal chandeliers, stenciling, and polished woodwork.
Facilities
Gift shop
White Water University Fun Park
White Water University in Des Moines features two waterslides, two tube slides, a wave pool, a children's cannon ball slide, a children's play area, and a volleyball pool. Miniature golf and a go-kart track are also available.
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
