Information for Travelers
Iowa natives are proud of their capital, and that shows in the friendly faces you'll find on the street.
Des Moines has taken many steps in recent decades to become a vibrant Midwestern cultural mecca.
Home to major insurance companies and a significant political scene, Des Moines is also filled with sculpture parks, botanical gardens and a thriving shopping and dining scene.
Other important things to do in Des Moines include watching a baseball game at night under the lights or touring an impressive art collection.
Interacting with science is also easy at the Iowa Science Center, and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden offers something new in bloom every season.
The golden dome of the State Capitol can be seen clearly from many vantage points in Des Moines.
While it's a postcard-worthy image on the outside, exploring history from the inside is a great way to spend a day in Iowa.
In recent decades, Des Moines has become a cultural center and capital of new tastes and styles.
There is no better example of this cultural emergence than on the streets of the East Village commercial and residential district.
Once known as Sec Taylor Stadium , Principal Park is located at the scenic confluence of the Iowa and Racoon Rivers in downtown Des Moines.
Home to Iowa's own minor league Triple-A baseball team, the Iowa Cubs, Principal Park was renovated in 1992 and has since been considered one of the best minor league stadiums in the country.
Culture
The Des Moines Art Center has exhibited fine art since 1948.
During that time, this critical cultural attraction has expanded into physical space, exhibitions and the surrounding community.
Iowa history is still brewing and on full display in Des Moines.
Places like the gold-domed State Capitol Building shimmer with the state's 170+ years of history.
Other venues, such as Salisbury House and Gardens and the Hoyt Sherman Theatre, showcase the city's rich cultural heritage as well as historic windows and monuments.
While it's particularly fun for kids of all ages, don't be surprised to find that adults are also having fun at the Iowa Science Center.
This award-winning space features permanent and rotating interactive exhibits that promote experiential learning.
The Science Center also houses a planetarium for star gazing, as well as an IMAX Theater to give a better picture of the world around us.
Read about Des Moines in Wikipedia