Des Moines Travel Guide

Des Moines is the capital of Iowa. Greater Des Moines offers something for everyone. Spend the morning at Living History Farms and the afternoon at Blank Park Zoo. Enjoy a weekend exploring some of Des Moines' historic homes – like Salisbury House, Hoyt Sherman Place or Terrace Hill.

State Capitol Building and Historical Building along with the Des Moines Art Center, Science Center and Botanical Gardens are definitely among the favorites of many visitors.  A new, state-of-the art science center recently opened this summer (2005).

Des Moines offers performing arts – from theater, symphony, world-class opera, to an eclectic array of community and alternative theater options. Weekends bring flea markets, bazaars, art fairs or craft shows to the capitol city. Add to the mix four shopping malls full of fun and funky stores, water parks, horse-racing, slot machines along with Cubs baseball, Bucs hockey and you have the exciting year round city of Des Moines.