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Des Moines: This Plains City is Anything but
Plain by CL Hendricks
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The
next time you're planning a family vacation you might want to consider
Iowa and specifically its capital city, Des Moines. If you're looking to
explore America's heartland there is no better place to start. In the
midst of this agriculturally based state sits Des Moines.
 
Buildings
at the Waterfront Lit Up at Dawn, Des Moines River, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Photographic Print
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Originally
Des Moines was a fort created in 1843 by the military to look after the
rights of the Sak and Fox tribal communities. It has changed tremendously
since those beginnings and is now the largest city in Iowa and has gained
a reputation for being the epicenter of the insurance industry. However,
Des Moines has a lot more to offer visitors than just agriculture and
insurance industries. If you decide to make Des Moines a vacation, stop
then there are some places & things to do that may be of interest.
A
first stop may be a visit to the Iowa State Capitol building. It was
built in the late 1800's, between 1871 and 1886, and architecturally
showcases the best of 19th century design. Beautiful 23 karat gold leaf
covers the magnificent dome and gives it a glow, especially when the sun
is out. Daily tours are offered for this impressive structure so be sure
to take advantage and add this to your travel itinerary.
Another
popular attraction is the Des Moines Botanical Center. It attracts
hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly and is located by the Des Moines
River. It's a lovely place to visit, relax and discover nature's beauty.
Be sure to contact the Center to discover the perfect time for visiting
and set aside enough time to stroll through these 14 acres.
Des
Moines is also a place for animal lovers. The Blank Park Zoo has
thousands of animal species to view and offers fun for children and
adults alike. Their mission now includes conservation and education about
animals and their habitats. The entire family can enjoy the animals and
learn a little as well.
If
your taste runs to outdoor activities then consider Walnut Woods State
Park. It is a 260 acre land preserved forest that meets at the Racoon
River in Des Moines. You can do any number of activities, from river
rafting to hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, bird watching, horseback
riding and all sorts of other outdoor fun. The enjoyment is limitless and
the best part is the preserves are open all year long.
If
you're interested in history then the Jordan House is a must visit. This
house was known as a stop on the famous Underground Railroad. The owner
of the house, James Jordan, was an abolitionist who took this issue to
heart by helping slaves escape to freedom. Today his house is a museum
and a place to learn about America's past.
Another
historical house to visit is the Wallace House. It is the former home of
agricultural secretary Henry Wallace. It is an historical landmark and
does offer tours.
Flooding
of a River, Mississippi River, Davenport, Iowa, USA Photographic Print
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If you
really have an interest in historical houses, you should add the Mathias
Ham House to your itinerary. It is one of the oldest houses in the state
and built by the architect for the state capitol, John F. Rague. It is
located in Dubuque, Iowa, but its close enough to make a nice day trip.
It does have a log cabin located next to the mansion that might be of
particular interest.
If you
have the time, take a walk through the Iowa State University campus. It
has a reputation as a pristine campus and it is filled with numerous
historical buildings. It might be an enjoyable way to spend part of your
vacation.
Baseball
is a great past time and Iowa does have a Minor league team that plays in
the area. They're called the Iowa Cubs and are actually affiliated with
the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Stop by and see a game, you never know
which one of these players will eventually be sent up to the major
leagues. It's a way to see baseball stars before they were stars, or a
way to just have a good time at a game.
Finally,
if you simply want to relax and play a good game of golf then take a look
at Willow Creek Golf course. It has 36 holes and is considered to be one
of the best golf courses in Des Moines. Go out to the driving range,
swing a few clubs, and just enjoy vacationing in Iowa.
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