Des Moines Attractions: What to do in Des Moines
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Things to do in Des Moines
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35 of 35 shown
Ranked #1 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Bad" 23/04/2013
- "Capitol-ize on this free treasure" 19/04/2013
Category: Government Buildings
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(54)
Ranked #2 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Always something going on..." 09/05/2013
- "Great state fair" 06/05/2013
Category: State Parks
Owner description:
The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and...
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Owner description:
The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines is Iowa’s great celebration, a salute to the state’s best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. It is the true heartbeat of the Midwest, unequaled and unduplicated.The Iowa State Fair, the inspiration for the original novel “State Fair” by Iowan Phil Stong, three motion pictures and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway musical, is without a doubt the country’s most famous state fair. National media frequently rank the Fair as one of the top events in the country. In 2004, USA Weekend named the event the #2 choice for summer fun in America, topping New York City’s Times Square, Cedar Point Amusement Park Resort in Ohio and Disneyland in California. Midwest Living magazine named the Fair one of the “Top 30 Things Every Midwesterner Should Experience.” The Fair is also included in the New York Times best-selling travel book 1000 Places to See Before You Die and the subsequent travel book, 1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. and Canada Before you Die.
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(20)
Ranked #3 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Wonderful art in a beautiful location" 13/05/2013
- "Pretty sweet!" 09/05/2013
Category: Art Museums
Owner description:
This internationally acclaimed museum houses impressive works by artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Edward...
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Owner description:
This internationally acclaimed museum houses impressive works by artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keefe and Henri Matisse. The center, which also offers art classes, consists of three buildings, each designed by a celebrated architect: Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei and Richard Meier.
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(2)
Ranked #4 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Could not believe this gem has escaped..." 12/05/2013
- "Visit During Civil War Exhibit" 08/04/2013
Category: History Museums
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(2)
Ranked #5 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "good" 09/05/2013
- "Cool house" 09/05/2013
Category: Historic Sites; Art Museums; History Museums
Salisbury House & Gardens is 42 room historic manor home located in Des Moines, Iowa. Built between 1923-1928 by cosmetics pioneer, Carl Weeks and his wife Edith (VanSlyke... more »
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(4)
Ranked #6 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Interesting spot" 02/05/2013
- "Delightful!" 29/04/2013
Category: Parks
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(37)
Ranked #7 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Great history of Iowa sports." 29/03/2013
- "Best field trip in Iowa." 13/03/2013
Category: Speciality Museums
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(1)
Ranked #8 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Great Ballpark" 28/04/2013
- "Principal Park is a must see for anyon..." 24/04/2013
Category: Arenas/ Stadiums/ Fields
Principal Park continues to rate as one of the top minor league facilities in the country. The stadium, which was built prior to the start of the 1992 season, has seen over seven... more »
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(4)
Ranked #9 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Not rural Iowa" 07/05/2013
- "Ho-hum. No buzz here." 16/04/2013
Category: Neighbourhoods
Des Moines' cutting edge, hip neighborhood.
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(4)
Ranked #10 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Family owned, family operated, Iowa fa..." 09/04/2013
- "Need more time" 20/03/2013
Category: Amusement/ Theme Parks; Water Parks
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(14)
Ranked #11 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Not much to look at..." 09/05/2013
- "Animal Fun" 01/05/2013
Category: Zoos
Owner description:
A wide variety of animals are housed in natural settings at this 22-acre, relatively small zoo, dedicated to caring for the...
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Owner description:
A wide variety of animals are housed in natural settings at this 22-acre, relatively small zoo, dedicated to caring for the over 800 animals, educating the public about different species, and generating fun experiences for children, such as crawling through simulated prairie dog tunnels and feeding, petting and riding animals.
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(31)
Ranked #12 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Clive Greenbelt Trail--Doesn't Get Muc..." 25/11/2012
- "Walk it daily" 08/11/2012
Category: Jogging Paths/ Tracks; Biking Trails
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(1)
Ranked #13 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Very pretty" 01/05/2013
- "Love the new upgrades" 22/04/2013
Category: Gardens
Owner description:
Reputed for its huge collection of the Midwest's ornamental and native plants, this 14-acre center bordering the Des Moines...
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Owner description:
Reputed for its huge collection of the Midwest's ornamental and native plants, this 14-acre center bordering the Des Moines River features a domed conservatory that houses over 1000 varieties of exotic plants from throughout the world. The center also has an impressive herb garden, tropical and desert plants, and one of the best bonsai collections in the U.S.
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(6)
Ranked #14 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Great selection of eating establishmen..." 08/04/2013
- "Good food in easy walking distance" 14/03/2013
Category: Landmarks/ Points of Interest
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(1)
Ranked #15 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "expensive" 09/05/2013
- "Fun for the kids" 22/04/2013
Category: Science Museums
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(11)
Ranked #16 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Beautiful old historic venue" 07/04/2013
- "Great shows, customer friendly" 14/03/2013
Category: Theatres
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(1)
Ranked #17 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Always a great time!" 21/01/2013
- "Marginal Performance" 15/09/2012
Category: Symphonies
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(1)
Ranked #18 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "One of the best kept secrets in Des Mo..." 02/08/2012
- "Beautiful and educational" 12/05/2012
Category: Gardens
Owner description:
Right in the heart of the city is a half-block long blaze of beauty - Better Homes and Gardens' testing ground for various...
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Owner description:
Right in the heart of the city is a half-block long blaze of beauty - Better Homes and Gardens' testing ground for various landscape designs that the company documents and photographs. The area is one large area made of many mini-backyards, complete with annuals, perennials, bulbs and typical backyard structures like fences and gates.
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(1)
Ranked #19 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Vary Nice Place" 13/06/2012
- "Great tour, keep toddlers at home plea..." 23/04/2012
Category: Government Buildings; Historic Sites
Historic Governor's mansion.
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(1)
Ranked #20 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "A great place to take a long walk" 12/08/2012
- "Neal Smith Trail" 03/06/2012
Category: Biking Trails
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(1)
Ranked #21 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Great Customer Service" 19/06/2012
- "Odd size feet? No problem!" 28/03/2012
Category: Speciality Shops; Sports Camps/ Clinics
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(2)
Ranked #22 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Memory Maker" 14/10/2012
- "Great GOlF" 19/03/2012
Category: Golf Courses
This relatively flat course is perfect for seniors who like to walk and golfers who are new to the game.
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(1)
Ranked #23 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "2012 National Oldsmobile Car Show" 07/07/2012
- "Good for race packet pick-up" 12/04/2012
Category: Convention Centres
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(1)
Ranked #24 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "What a great course" 10/12/2012
- "$6 for 9, $9 for 18 (student rates)" 16/04/2010
Category: Golf Courses
Owner description:
Built at the turn of the century, this 18-hole public course does not offer the excitement of modern golf design; however, it...
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Owner description:
Built at the turn of the century, this 18-hole public course does not offer the excitement of modern golf design; however, it does provide beautiful lake vistas, a reduced time commitment for rounds, and a good chance for scoring a personal best.
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(1)
Ranked #25 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "The Old Master" 19/01/2013
- ""The Wave"" 14/11/2012
Category: Golf Courses
Owner description:
Originally founded in 1894 and listed by the USGA as one of the first 100 clubs established in the U.S., this course...
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Owner description:
Originally founded in 1894 and listed by the USGA as one of the first 100 clubs established in the U.S., this course continues to pose a challenge to golfers of all abilities due to its bold elevation changes and well-guarded greens.
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(2)
Ranked #26 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Best Place to Golf on the East Side" 16/07/2012
- "Average" 08/01/2012
Category: Golf Courses
Owner description:
Contrasting front and back nines challenge a golfer's ability to adapt: the first round offers broad fairways and rolling...
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Owner description:
Contrasting front and back nines challenge a golfer's ability to adapt: the first round offers broad fairways and rolling hills; the second features narrow links carved through dense woodland.
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(2)
Ranked #27 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "So much in so little space" 10/01/2012
Category: Landmarks/ Points of Interest
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(1)
Ranked #28 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Good course for average or better golf..." 18/08/2012
- "Narrow fairways that are sometimes har..." 01/02/2012
Category: Golf Courses
Owner description:
This club consists of two challenging courses: the North, which extends 5550 yards from the tees and features a difficult...
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Owner description:
This club consists of two challenging courses: the North, which extends 5550 yards from the tees and features a difficult back nine; and the South, which has wide fairways and small greens.
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(1)
Ranked #29 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "A nice afternoon" 31/08/2009
Category: Golf Courses
Owner description:
This challenging course is dominated by tree-lined fairways and water hazards that come into play on many of the eighteen...
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Owner description:
This challenging course is dominated by tree-lined fairways and water hazards that come into play on many of the eighteen holes.
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(2)
Ranked #30 of 35 attractions in Des Moines
- "Great trail when the road is taken car..." 01/02/2012
- "Nice jogging trail" 12/01/2012
Category: Jogging Paths/ Tracks; Nature/ Wildlife Areas; Bodies of Water; Trails
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(1)
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Des Moines weather essentials
Month
High
Low
Precip
May
68°F 20°C
49°F 9°C
5 in 12 cm
Jun
77°F 25°C
59°F 15°C
3 in 9 cm
Jul
82°F 27°C
64°F 17°C
3 in 7 cm
Aug
80°F 26°C
61°F 16°C
3 in 7 cm
Sep
73°F 22°C
52°F 11°C
2 in 5 cm
Oct
61°F 16°C
40°F 4°C
2 in 5 cm
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Recently Reviewed Hotels around Des Moines
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- Holiday Inn Des Moines Downtown
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