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A large city
(200,000 population) with a small town atmosphere, Des Moines is loaded
with attractions - for visitors and locals. I-80, joined with
I-35, skirts the city routing through the western and northern
suburbs. I-235 plunges into the central city then angles north to join
I-80 and I-35 where I-35 resumes its northward reach. Bisected by
the Des Moinses River which is joined by the Racoon River entering the
city from the southwest, getting around can be frustrating at first for
newcomers.
Des
Moines Visitors' Center
As usual, we strongly recommend an
initial stop at the Visitors' Center at 405 6th Avenue (corner of Grand
Avenue in downtown Des Moines).
If you're eastbound on I-80, drive straight through the
interchange at exit 123 continuing to the central city on I-235. Then
take exit 11B and turn right onto 6th avenue at the first intersection.
Follow 6th Avenue south to the Visitors' Center at 405 6th Avenue, Suite
201..
If you are westbound on I-80, exit onto I-235 at exit 138.
Follow I-135 to downtown. Right after you cross the river, take exit
11C, turn left at the end of the off ramp onto 2nd Avenue and follow 2nd
Avenue south to Grand Avenue (about 5 blocks depending upon where you
start counting. Turn right on Grand and continue on to 6th Avenue. Turn
left and the Visitors Center will be on your left at 405 6th Avenue,
Suite 201.
They're on the Skywalk between the Polk County Convention Center
and 'the Kaleidoscope'. Their phone number (toll-free) is
1-800-451-2625. If it isn't working (thanks Ma Bell) try 1-515-286-4960
(not toll-free). They also have a web site at SeeDesMoines.com.
Downtown
Restaurants
Can't tell you why but there are a lot of great
restaurants in downtown Des Moines. If you found a good parking spot
when you stopped by the Visitor's Center, just leave the car there.
There are several (various cuisines) restaurants at 7th and Locust. Also
on 7th but a half block north of Grand is our favorite steak place, Mr.
Filet; very reasonable prices and excellent, tender, Iowa corn-fed
steaks. If you just want a great salad, try the Fresh Garden at 6th and
Locust. Actually, within 2 blocks in any direction is about every kind
of ethnic food you might wish to enjoy.
Shopping in
Downtown Des Moines
Now a days, it seems the best shopping is at
the big malls. Well the shopping in downtown Des Moines is at least as
good and you probably won't have to do any more walking than you usually
wind up doing in a mall. The Kaleidoscope At The Hub (where the
Visitors' Center is) has between two and three dozens shops and
eateries. We really enjoy Yonkers at 7th and Walnut. They even have a
neat 'tea room' where you can relax, rest your feet and sip a glass of
ice tea (yes, they also have coffee). Ask them at the Visitors' Center.
They'll be most happy to fill you in on the 'secrets' of downtown Des
Moines.
Des Moines
Botanical Center
You don't have to be a gardening addict to enjoy
this place. A large, geodesic dome is completely furnished with
thousands of plants (lots of blossoms about any time of the year and
free-flying birds. It is an especially desirable place to visit in the
winter (yes, it gets COLD in Des Moines). It is open 10a-5p Monday
through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Fridays it doesn't close until
9p. During the Christmas season they place is all decked out to fit the
season and they follow the Friday schedule every day. There is an
admission fee of $2 except Sundays which are FREE! Kids under 18 are
just a $1 and under 6, no charge. Phone 1-515-323-8900 for more
information and current schedule.
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Located at 909 East River Drive, from down town just go
east on Grand Avenue, cross the bridge over the Des Moines River and
turn left on East 1st Street. As you follow 1st street up the river it
becomes River Drive. Continue on, under the Interstate to the Center.
From I-235, take exit 12B and go north on Pennsylvania
Avenue one block (north of the Interstate) to Buchanan Street. Turn
left, go two blocks where the street makes a sharp right and becomes E.
6th Street. Continue north on 6th River Drive to the first street on
your left. It is a very sharp left turn taking you back south to River
Drive.
Hoyt Sherman Place
A late 19th Century Victorian Mansion with beautifully preserved,
hand-carved wood work, exquisite brass chandeliers (kept well polished)
and completely furnished with furnishings of the period (now called
antiques). A theatre, added during the lively Twenties, features a
simulated Rococo domed ceiling. There is a lot of artwork, especially in
another new addition, the 'art wing'. There is no admission charge - yes,
it's FREE! It is open only from 10a-4p daily except holidays. Warning:
They are closed during the last half of August.
From I-235 eastbound - take exit 10B and follow the exit
ramp all the way to Keosauqua Way. Merge with the Keosauqua Way traffic
and go two blocks to 12th Street. Bear right, go another block to Center
Street and turn right, again. Follow Center Street (west) to 15th Street
and turn left. Follow 15th Street south to Woodland Avenue and the Hoyt
Sherman Place.
From I-235 westbound - take exit 10B and follow the exit
ramp around to Keosauqua Way. Merge with the Keosauqua Way traffic and go
past Crocker Street to 12th Street. Bear right, go another block to Center
Street and turn right, again. Follow Center Street (west) to 15th Street
and turn left. Follow 15th Street south to Woodland Avenue and the Hoyt
Sherman Place.
Science Center of
Iowa
A little more sophisticated than most hands-on science center,
this one even has a planetarium, laser light shows and live concerts. The
main attractions for tourists with kids are the many hands-on exhibits.
They put on some rather in depth exhibits which are rotated. One recent
exhibit was the "Head to Toe: All about Your Body" which was a
very well done educational experience informing about the functions and
relationships of many of the organs of the body. Much of what they do,
classes and camps, for example, are intended for local kids but visitors
get all of their money's worth and them some.
Admission for adults is $5.50; for kids 2-12 and seniors $4. The
laser light show is an additional $1.50 (everybody) and the concerts (so
we were told) are only an additional $5.
They have a web site but it isn't very informative for out-of-town
visitors. You can view it at sciowa.org.
Or phone them at 1-515-274-4138.
From I-235 take exit 6 and take 42nd Street southbound to Grand
Avenue. Turn left and follow Grand to Greenwood Park and the Iowa Science
Center.
Living History
Farms - Because this live farm demonstration facility is in the suburb
of Urbandale we have included the write-up under that community. see: Urbandale.
Iowa State Fair
Scheduled for each August for an 11-day stretch ending on the Sunday two
weeks before Labor Day, the Iowa State Fair has been a block buster for
almost 150 years. It has been in three major films and is always a great
subject for amateur videos. It does get crowded (over a million people are
expected to visit this year) but is is about the most fun State Fair in
the country. Lots of free entertainment - good entertainment - covering
about every interest. This certainly isn't another one of those pickled
beets and jams kind of thing with an ugly cow contest thrown in for good
measure.
The State Fair grounds are located on East University Avenue, about
20 blocks from I-235 exit 11A. For more information, contact the Visitors'
Center.
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