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  5. Top Attractions in Des Moines

Top Attractions in Des Moines

June 01, 2012
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Credit: Photo Courtesy of Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau
Iowa's capital city, Des Moines, has emerged as one of the region's most energetic midsize cities.
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Des Moines' transformation

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau

Every summer during the 11-day run of the Iowa State Fair, Des Moines is home to more foods on a stick than you can, well, shake a stick at. But look beyond the corn dogs--and the cornfields--and you might just be surprised: Iowa's unassuming capital (metro population: 564,900) has taken a turn for the hip.A burgeoning fine-dining scene, arts offerings worthy of a larger metro, upscale shopping destinations and family-friendly attractions have transformed Des Moines into a fun midsize place to spend a weekend.Click ahead to learn about some of our favorite attractions in Des Moines. Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau

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Iowa State Fair

This end-of-summer pilgrimage celebrates Iowa's farms. The Iowa State Fair is 11 days of farm animals (the Big Boar!), midway rides, blue-ribbon prizes, a butter cow, crazy contests, live music and fried food on a stick (deep-fried Snickers bars!). The fair's 400 acres can be overwhelming; navigate the sprawl by using free downloadable walking tours from the fair website. For a view above the crowds, relax for a few minutes on the Sky Glider ride. (515) 262-3111; iowastatefair.org

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John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

A donation of more than two dozen sculptures worth $40 million transformed a downtown green space in Des Moines. The Des Moines Art Center curates the new collection at the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, which looks especially fabulous at night, when lights illuminate the oversize sculptures. Enjoy walking through the sculptures on your own, or make a reservation for a one-hour guided tour. (515) 271-0328; desmoinesartcenter.org

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State Historical Museum

Credit: Photo Courtesy of KW Photography

Listen to tapes of coal miners at work, learn about Iowa's caucus system, see a battle flag preservation lab or carry pioneer-era water buckets with a shoulder yoke. Thoughtful exhibits at the State Historical Museum display a wide range of artifacts, from George Washington's hair to Abraham Lincoln's glasses. (515) 281-5111; iowahistory.org

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Downtown Farmers' Market

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau

Des Moines' Downtown Farmers' Market ranks among the region's best. More than 200 vendors line blocked-off downtown streets Saturday mornings May through October, offering fresh produce, artisan works, street food and live music. (515) 286-4928; desmoinesfarmersmarket.com

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Iowa State Capitol

Take a free tour of the gold-domed landmark, built between 1871 and 1886, and its monument-dotted grounds overlooking downtown Des Moines. Tours highlight the paintings, statues and ornately decorated architecture of the building, made with 29 types of marble. (515) 281-5591; legis.iowa.gov

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Des Moines' food scene

Des Moines has undergone a dining transformation, the kind that happens one kitchen at a time, until residents look up and say, "Wow! Things have changed." More than 850 restaurants across the city cater to every taste, including Thai, Japanese, French and authentic Mexican cuisine. Popular spots include Centro for contemporary Italian cuisine (centrodesmoines.com); Bistro Montage with classic French dishes (bistromontage.com); and, in downtown's ever-hipper East Village, Miyabi 9, with some of the city's best sushi (miyabi9.com).

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Blank Park Zoo

Credit: Photo Courtesy of The Iowa Tourism Office

Ride a camel; feed giraffes, parakeets and other creatures; and explore the Discovery Center with red pandas, pink pigeons, and tamarin monkeys at the 22-acre Blank Park Zoo, home to more than 800 animals. Daily programs can include bird shows, sea lion demonstrations, lion shows and serval (African wild cat) training demonstrations. (515) 285-4722; blankparkzoo.com

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Des Moines Arts Festival

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitor Bureau

More than 200 top-ranked and emerging national artists converge in summer in Western Gateway Park for the Des Moines Arts Festival, an annual showcase of visual and performing arts. (515) 286-4950; desmoinesartsfestival.org

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Living History Farms

This 500-acre living-history site taps Iowa's rural roots, featuring a 1700 Ioway Indians village, an 1850 working pioneer farm, the 1875 town of Walnut Hill, a 1900 horse-powered farm and agricultural exhibits. Historical interpreters in period clothing demonstrate skills such as blacksmithing and cooking. (515) 278-5286; lhf.org

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Science Center of Iowa

Explore a cave, tackle a domino obstacle course and enjoy other interactive exhibits at the Science Center of Iowa. Also featured: daily demonstrations on topics such as chemistry and inventions and shows in the Star Theater planetarium. (515) 274-6868; sciowa.org

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Des Moines Art Center

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Des Moines Symphony

The outstanding collection features modernist works by Edward Hopper, Henri Matisse and others. Large, airy exhibit spaces reflect the different styles of three architects: Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei and Richard Meier. (515) 277-4405; desmoinesartcenter.org

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Des Moines Symphony

Housed in the Civic Center, the Des Moines Symphony presents a half-dozen classical concerts each season as well as an Opening Night Gala, a pops concert for New Year's Eve and the outdoor Yankee Doodle Concert in early July. (515) 280-4000; dmsymphony.org

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Adventureland

Iowa's largest tourist attraction, Adventureland features more than 100 shows, attractions and rides, including three roller coasters. A water park offers 13 water slides, an inner-tube raft ride, a lazy river and a swim-up bar. (800) 532-1286; adventurelandpark.com

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Iowa Cubs

Credit: Photo Courtesy of The Iowa Tourism Office

The Chicago Cubs' triple-A affiliate plays in downtown's Principal Park, which opened in 1992 and has been expanded and renovated several times since then. A perennial favorite: the annual July fireworks show (as well as fireworks after Friday night games). (515) 243-6111; iowacubs.com

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Brenton Skating Plaza and Sleepy Hollow Sports Park

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau

In winter, twirl outside under the skyline at Brenton Skating Plaza (brentonplaza.com), or try skiing and snow tubing at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park (sleepyhollowsportspark.com). In other seasons, Sleepy Hollow offers miniature golf, climbing wall and Go-Karts.

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1 of 16 Des Moines' transformation
2 of 16 Iowa State Fair
3 of 16 John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
4 of 16 State Historical Museum
5 of 16 Downtown Farmers' Market
6 of 16 Iowa State Capitol
7 of 16 Des Moines' food scene
8 of 16 Blank Park Zoo
9 of 16 Des Moines Arts Festival
10 of 16 Living History Farms
11 of 16 Science Center of Iowa
12 of 16 Des Moines Art Center
13 of 16 Des Moines Symphony
14 of 16 Adventureland
15 of 16 Iowa Cubs
16 of 16 Brenton Skating Plaza and Sleepy Hollow Sports Park

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Top Attractions in Des Moines
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