Everything You Need to Do for the Ultimate Vacation in Greater Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa

We’re not sure how they do it, but Greater Des Moines feels like a cozy small town and a bustling metropolis at the same time. Whatever it is, it’s working: Des Moines is one of the best places to vacation in the US, whether you’re in town for a weekend or a longer stay. Either way, you need to add this to your Des Moines bucket list.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

The 4.4-acre Pappajohn Sculpture Park displays 31 large artworks worth over $40 million in an open green space. You can walk freely among famous pieces like Jaume Plensa’s ‘Nomade’ and Willem de Kooning’s ‘Reclining Figure’ at any time of day.

The park lights up at night with LED ground lighting that creates dramatic shadows around each sculpture. Free tours run every Saturday morning from May through September, and nearby restaurants like Django serve local food. The 9-foot-tall Panoramic Awareness Pavilion makes an excellent photo backdrop against the city skyline.

The Science Center of Iowa

The Science Center of Iowa spans 110,000 square feet and makes learning fun through hands-on exhibits and live shows. Kids can launch air rockets, control simple machines, and feel hurricane-force winds in special demonstration areas.

The center used to have a six-story IMAX screen with powerful surround sound and a modern planetarium that shows space films but the theatre was severely damaged by flooding in 2018.

The Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden spans 14 acres and features seven distinct garden areas plus a 150-foot glass dome filled with plants. Inside, you’ll find changing displays of orchids and tropical plants, while outside, a water garden showcases native water plants and flowing falls.

The riverside garden offers views of the Des Moines River and grows prairie plants and ornamental grasses. The Trellis Café uses herbs and vegetables from the garden’s beds to make fresh foods like honey-lavender scones. Local pottery and rare plants are available in the garden shop.

Living History Farms

Living History Farms teaches Iowa’s farming past through three working farms from different time periods. The 1700 Ioway Farm shows how Native Americans grew the ‘Three Sisters’ – corn, beans, and squash.

On the 1850 Pioneer Farm, you can see ox-powered farming and log cabin life, while the 1900 Horse-Powered Farm shows early machine farming. The site includes a recreated 1875 town called Walnut Hill, where staff in period clothes demonstrate old-time crafts like blacksmithing and printing.

Blank Park Zoo

Blank Park Zoo covers 49 acres and houses over 2,800 animals from 183 species. The African grasslands area spans 1.5 acres where lions, black rhinos, and Rothschild’s giraffes live.

Visitors can walk through the Australian area to see kangaroos and emus up close. The Discovery Center protects endangered animals like red pandas and Aldabra tortoises, and the zoo’s breeding programs help preserve rare species.

Modern Art Collection

Three famous architects designed different parts of this unique building: Eliel Saarinen created the Art Deco section, I.M. Pei added modern rooms, and Richard Meier designed curved galleries.

The museum owns 5,000 artworks, including pieces by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Andy Warhol. Entry is free, and the center offers Iowa’s biggest art education program. Classes cover everything from pottery making to digital photography.

Gray’s Lake Park

Gray’s Lake Park centers around a 100-acre lake with a 1.9-mile paved walking path. The park’s main feature is the 1,400-foot Kruidenier Trail bridge, which lights up at night with 23 color-changing LED towers.

From April to October, you can rent boats like kayaks and paddleboards. The park has two fishing spots stocked with bass and catfish, plus a beach for summer swimming.

The State Capitol

The State Capitol’s gold-leaf dome rises 275 feet and shines for miles around. Inside, you’ll find 29 kinds of marble, detailed wood carvings, and a grand staircase made from Iowa stone.

The three-story law library features spiral stairs, iron railings, and 100,000 books. Eight large murals by Edwin H. Blashfield decorate the halls, and the west deck provides wide views of downtown.

East Village

East Village fills 40 blocks with over 90 local businesses in preserved 1800s buildings. Popular shops include Raygun, which sells funny Midwest-themed clothes, and Preservation, which offers vintage items and mid-century furniture.

The area features diverse dining spots like Alba’s Mediterranean food, craft drinks at The Republic on Grand, and fresh baked goods at Scenic Route Bakery. Monthly art walks run from May through September.

The High Trestle Trail Bridge

The High Trestle Trail Bridge stands 130 feet above the Des Moines River Valley and runs for half a mile. Steel frames create a tunnel effect that represents an old coal mine, honoring Iowa’s mining history.

Blue lights illuminate the bridge at night, creating a special experience for bikers and walkers. The bridge connects five towns along a 25-mile trail.

Jordan Creek

Jordan Creek spans 200 acres and includes Iowa’s biggest mall with over 150 stores and restaurants. The mall features major stores like Dillard’s and Von Maur, plus local restaurants such as Cool Basil.

A 3.5-acre lake hosts concerts in summer and ice skating in winter. Two miles of paths connect the areas, and a 20-screen theater offers the area’s only IMAX screen.

The Asian Gardens

The Asian Gardens honor Governor Robert D. Ray, who helped thousands of Southeast Asian refugees settle in Iowa. The garden includes a Chinese-style pavilion with painted tiles and detailed woodwork.

Three levels of flowering gardens lead down to the river, with stone bridges and quiet spots to sit. Signs tell stories about Asian immigrants in Iowa, especially the Tai Dam people who came in the 1970s.

Salisbury House

Salisbury House is a 42-room mansion built to look like a 1500s English manor. The house, built in the 1920s, uses real materials from England, including oak wood from old manors and stone floors from cottages.

The house holds nearly 5,000 rare books, including first printings of works by Galileo and James Joyce. English-style gardens surround the building, and the main room hosts monthly classical music concerts.