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Spend the night on the town

Even if your city's lights don't rival Broadway's, you might be surprised at how many possibilities there are for family entertainment after dark. To name a few: films, concerts, sporting events, the music scene and stage productions, from local theater to professional. We considered the cozy Ingersoll Dinner Theater, which presents family-friendly comedies and musicals (with Fiddler on the Roof a perennial favorite), preceded by a roast beef dinner buffet. (Editor's note: The Ingersoll Dinner Theater has closed since this article was originally published.) Or, perhaps a big-league show at the Civic Center. Or maybe a minor-league hockey game, a college basketball game, or an all-ages concert at a local music club.

We opted for the movie scene, heading to the Fleur Cinema & Cafe. The wine, cappuccino, sandwiches and pastries extend well beyond typical movie fare, to complement the quality offerings-often a foreign film-on the screen. Its theaters are as state-of-the-art as any stadium-seat multiplex. Before our vacation, our daughters had no idea that their city had such a stylish cinema.

Take a dip

A sauna, spa or an indoor pool is crucial. While checking in to our hotel, we saw another clan in a van with Iowa plates unload more swimming gear than suitcases. They'd obviously vacationed close to home before, and we learned a lesson from them: Don't forget the beach toys.

Find a coffee shop

After a good night's sleep (it's amazing how a two-bedroom suite can enhance a family getaway), we were ready for a fresh start. Maria and I typically finish our morning's coffee before we leave home, so we'd never experienced the buzz generated by our city's bohemian java joints.

A good coffeehouse can function as the nerve center for the local arts community, so take time to tap into it. In our case, we checked out the invitingly funky Java Joe's, which hosts children's performances (both by and for), open mikes and a variety of folk, blues and acoustic rock acts. We also relaxed at Zanzibar's, which is a little less hippie and more yuppie. But its bowl-size latte mugs provided the perfect excuse to spread the paper and linger for an hour.

Have a feast

Now is the time to check out restaurants you haven't tried before such as a hidden gem in an ethnic neighborhood, a newly opened place, or an expensive one that you've put off visiting. An advantage of a vacation near home is that you already likely have a list in mind. On ours was Splash, an elegant seafood restaurant.

"I'll have the king crab legs," said Kelly, indicating the most expensive entroe. (Don't they have a kids' menu?)

Before the weekend was over, we ate at more great restaurants than we typically might in a month. From steak to sushi to risotto, we treated our hometown as if we were dining in some exotic city, one where we might not return for a while and thus must devour all that we could.

As I feasted on macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi at Forty Three, the fine-dining establishment at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, Molly quickly proclaimed it her favorite restaurant.

"I want to have my birthday party here," she said. We'd never been here before, but I knew we'd return (as often as my wallet would allow).

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