Things To Do in Des Moines
Des Moines, IA is the largest city in Iowa. The state capital is located in the Northwest corner of Iowa. The historic gold-domed Iowa State Capitol Building is among the late 19th and early 20th century landmarks of the East Village district. The Des Moines Art Center presents an eclectic range of local artistic collections and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park is known for its large-scale sculptures. Live music and local produce are strong draws at the downtown farmers’ market. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden also has an outdoor plant show and a geodesic dome filled with solar lights.
The spring calendar has plenty of things to do and see in Des Moines. In April you can visit the Iowa Botanical Garden and take a tour of its grounds. The Botanical Garden has a large collection of trees as well as a large assortment of flowers and colorful herbs. The gardens are designed to be environmentally friendly and to provide a habitat where plants and animals can thrive. Visitors can enjoy a free nature walk when they take in the Botanical Garden.
In addition to the Botanical Garden, the Des Moines Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a number of events and festivals throughout the year. One of these events is the Jazz Fest. The Jazz Festival features free music performed by some of the area’s top musicians. This is a good time to check out the Des Moines Museum of Modern Art and the Des Moines Science Center. You might also want to stop by the Des Moines Zoo and Pet’s Home.
If you’re looking for things to do at an outdoor concert, the best place in town to see one is the Des Moines Water Park. Located right off of Old Saint Augustine road in West Des Moines, the Water Park features three main attractions. The primary attraction is the world famous Iowa Children’s Museum. The museum houses several interactive exhibits featuring musical toys, puppets and costumes, as well as a stage where live entertainers perform. Other attractions include the Des Moines RiverWalk, the Central Park of Iowa State Fair, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Des Moines Zoo is located on a beautiful piece of property just South of downtown Des Moines. It features several different areas for your animal-viewing pleasure. The zoo features the only artificial zoo in the Midwest, along with several other exciting things to do and see. In addition to the zoo, the science center offers several interactive exhibits as well as a petting farm.
West Des Moines and Cedar Falls have plenty of neat things to do. If you are in the mood to tour Old West Saloon or hunt for Civil War artifacts along the Iowa farm trail, Cedar Falls will satisfy your desire for adventure. If you would prefer to do something a little quieter, West Des Moines attractions such as The Big Easy or The North High School can give you just what you need to keep your mind sharp while staying in a peaceful setting. No matter what kind of thing you would like to do in Des Moines, you are sure to find several fun ways to occupy your time while you vacation in this unique part of Iowa.
