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Des Moines Attractions
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312 USA Phone: (515) 277-4405
Des Moines Art Center is s. of I-235 on 42nd St., then w. to 4700 Grand Ave. Forming a quadrangle of exhibition galleries around a reflecting pool, this museum has won international acclaim for its architectural style. The original building was designed by Eliel Saarinen in 1944. I.M. Pei created an addition in 1968 to house a collection of modern sculpture, and the north wing was conceived in 1985 by Richard Meier.
The center's reputation has been established through its masterpieces of contemporary art. From the 19th century to the present, the permanent collection represents more than 3,500 works by 1,600 artists, including Francis Bacon, Andy Goldsworthy, Francisco Goya, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Georgia O'Keeffe, Auguste Rodin, Cindy Sherman and Andy Warhol.
Guided tours are offered. Food is available. Allow 2 hours minimum.
Admission: Free. Reservations are required 3 weeks in advance for guided tours
Attraction Type: Art Galleries & Museums; Museums
Hours: Tues.-Sat. 11-4 (also Thurs. 4-9), Sun. noon-4; closed holidays
Des Moines Botanical Center
909 Robert R. Ray Dr.
Des Moines, IA 50316 USA Phone: (515) 323-6290
Des Moines Botanical Center is off I-235 exit Pennsylvania Ave. following signs to 909 Robert D. Ray Dr. Within the center's geodesic dome are more than 1,750 species of plants, including seasonal flowers and a bonsai collection.
Guided tours and food are available. Allow 2 hours minimum.
Admission: Admission $4; over 64 and ages 6-16, $2. Reservations are required for guided tours
Attraction Type: Gardens
Hours: Daily 10-5; extended hours during holiday seasons. Closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25
Iowa State Capitol
1005 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50309 USA Phone: (515) 281-5591
Iowa State Capitol is at 1005 E. Grand Ave. and Ninth St. The capitol building stands on a hill surrounded by a landscaped 160-acre park with several monuments. The main dome, flanked by four smaller domes, is covered with 23-karat gold leaf. Construction was completed in 1886.
The interior features 29 types of marble as well as ornately decorated ceilings and corridors. Paintings, statues and a collection of war flags are exhibited. A display of dolls representing the first ladies of Iowa in their inaugural gowns and a scale model of the battleship Iowa can be seen.
Self-guiding tour maps are available at the rotunda information desk, and free guided tours also are offered. Allow 1 hour, 30 minutes minimum.
Admission: Free
Attraction Type: Buildings, public/capitol/city hall
Hours: Building open Mon.-Fri. 8-4:30, Sat. 9-4; closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving and Dec. 25. Phone for guided tour schedule
Iowa State Historical Building
600 E. Locust St.
Des Moines, IA 50319 USA Phone: (515) 281-5111
Iowa State Historical Building is at 600 E. Locust St. Hands-on exhibits reflect the state's geological and natural development, civic and military history, transportation and American Indian culture. Displayed are aircraft, a 150-gallon marine reef aquarium, early farm machinery, an authentic Conestoga wagon, a Civil War cannon and the silver service from the battleship USS Iowa.
Food is available. Allow 2 hours minimum.
Admission: Donations
Attraction Type: Exhibits & Collections-Historical; Museums
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9-4:30, Sun. noon-4:30; closed Jan. 1, July 4, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25
Polk County Heritage Gallery
111 Court Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50309 USA Phone: (515) 286-3215
Polk County Heritage Gallery is at 111 Court Ave. The Polk County Office Building, originally a post office completed in 1908, is known for its Beaux Arts Classical style architecture--complete with an ostentatious main lobby. The gallery presents changing exhibits of the visual arts.
Allow 30 minutes minimum.
Admission: Free
Attraction Type: Art Galleries & Museums; Exhibits & Collections-General
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11-4:30; closed holidays
Science Center of Iowa
401 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy.
Des Moines, IA 50309 USA Phone: (515) 274-4629
Science Center of Iowa is at 401 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. The facility features six themed interactive experience platforms, a 226-seat IMAX Dome theater, a science theater and a planetarium. Live demonstrations and changing exhibitions are offered.
Allow 2 hours minimum.
Admission: Admission to center or IMAX theater $8; over 65, $7; ages 2-12, $6. Combination tickets $13; over 65, $11; ages 2-12, $10
Attraction Type: Exhibits & Collections-Science; Planetariums; Sound & light presentations
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9-6 (also Thurs.-Fri. 6-8), Sun. 11-6; closed Thanksgiving and Dec. 25. IMAX films are presented daily; phone for schedule
Credit Cards: AE, DS, MC, VI
Terrace Hill
2300 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312 USA Phone: (515) 281-3604
Terrace Hill is at 2300 Grand Ave. The 1869 Victorian Second Empire mansion stands on a hill overlooking 8.5 acres. Built by Iowa's first millionaire and now the residence of Iowa's governor, the restored estate is furnished in the period from the end of the Civil War through the early 1900s. Highlights include stained-glass windows, crystal chandeliers, stenciling, polished woodwork and elaborate statuary and paintings.
Allow 1 hour minimum.
Admission: Admission $5; ages 6-12, $2
Attraction Type: Historic buildings/houses
Hours: Guided 45-minute tours of the first and second floors depart from the Carriage House every half-hour Tues.-Sat. 10-1:30, Mar.-Dec.; closed holidays. Tours of the formal gardens are offered May-Sept.
White Water University Fun Park
5401 E. University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50317 USA Phone: (515) 265-4904
White Water University Fun Park is at 5401 E. University Ave. Aquatic rides include two waterslides, two tube slides and a lazy river; tadpole, volleyball and wave pools; and a cannon ball slide. Miniature golf and go-cart facilities are on the grounds.
Coolers, food and breakables (such as glass items) are not permitted in the park. Food is available.
Admission: Water park admission $13.33; senior citizens $5.24; under 5, $5; after 4:30 p.m. $6. Locker and tube rentals $2 plus a $3 deposit. Mat rental $1
Attraction Type: Amusement & theme parks; Water parks
Hours: Water park open daily 11-7, Memorial Day weekend through mid-Aug. and Labor Day weekend. Miniature golf and go-carts are available May-Oct.
Credit Cards: DS, MC, VI
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