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Court Avenue District
In the heart of downtown, you will find this district has a lot to
offer. Saturdays from May through October, a vibrant farmers market
comes alive with a wide variety of choice and quality goods. Fine
restaurants and many retail shops make it a wonderful place to stroll.
When the lights go down, another Des Moines comes alive in this area.
Here you will find a variety of musical entertainment, theater and
dancing.
Des Moines Symphony
Housed in the Civic Center, the Des Moines Symphony is always engaged.
The season brings seven pairs of classical concerts, family concerts, a
three concert pop series, an annual Yankee Doodle Pops concert and the
annual July 3rd concert. Taking its experience into the educational
realm, the symphony presents many in-school ensemble performances.
Science Center of Iowa
This excellent science center hosts a great permanent collection and
many special events throughout the year including live demonstrations
and education programs. The Center also features a planetarium complete
with laser shows as well as the Challenger learning center with an
immersive shuttle simulator. Don't forget to visit the gift store before
leaving.
Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino
For a change of pace and a little fun-filled action, enjoy a day or
evening at the racetrack and casino.
Ingersoll Dinner
Theater
Treat yourself, friends, and family to an exciting night of theater. The
Ingersoll Dinner Theater provides fun for all ages by producing Broadway
musicals, rib-tickling comedies, suspenseful murder-mysteries, musical
guest artists, and the Ingersoll Children's Theater. At the Ingersoll
Dinner Theater, you and your friends will enjoy an award-winning four
entree buffet, followed by a night of top-notch entertainment!
Des Moines
Art Center
The Art Center complex is composed of three buildings situated at the
entrance to Greenwood Park, an impressive hilltop location for this
award-winning design by the internationally known architects, Saarinen,
Meier and Pei. It's a fitting structure to house the wonderful
collections inside. The works of many famous artists from the 19th and
20th centuries are inspiration for taking one of the many classes
offered here from painting to sculpture to photography, papermaking,
ceramics and many more. Whether a family workshop or an individual
project, there's a great variety to choose from. The Art Center is well
known for its neighborhood outreach programs. The Arts after Hours
program happens on the first Friday of each month bringing live
entertainment to the Art Center. There's also a cash bar and coffee bar.
A wide variety of lectures, readings, poetry and films are regularly
scheduled at the Center, a gem of culture in the heart of Des Moines.
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Des Moines Metro Opera
From its beginnings in 1972, this Opera is proof that the Midwest is
hungry for Opera. Sophisticated audiences welcome a diverse selection of
contemporary and classic opera. The impressively high subscriber rate
assures the Opera a year round operation and has helped it gain
worldwide recognition. Over 10,000 opera lovers flood in from across the
U.S. and the world for the renowned Summer Festival, which takes place
June and July and stages world-class productions.
Historic Valley
Junction
If you fancy just strolling and browsing, then come down to Historic
Valley Junction. Here you'll find numerous shops, boutiques,
restaurants, cafes, art galleries and antique haunts. Fun by day or
night, this is one of the earliest settlements around Des Moines, dating
from the mid-1840s when James C. Jordan first built and settled the
area. He later went on to become a State Senator. Jordan's home became
known as a safe haven on the 'Underground Railroad' and it was with
money from Jordan that the Valley railroad was born. With the railroad
came the businesses. Once a coal mining community, Des Moines quickly
became a major railroad hub with the repair shops and switching yards of
the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. The town expanded as more
investment moved to the area. A vibrant downtown grew up with banks,
schools, a trolley line and new homes, attracting all sorts of
characters, not all of them reputable! Nowadays, though, downtown Des
Moines certainly presents a more family-friendly atmosphere.
Birthplace
of John Wayne
While in Des Moines, you should check out the birthplace of an American
Icon, John Wayne. See where life began for this world famous star. The
four-roomed home built in 1880 has been brought back to its appearance
of 1907. Here you can reminise on the 'Duke's' life by viewing the
memorabilia and photographs. Visit the gift shop and welcome center,
too.
Blank
Park Zoo
Plan a trip to this Zoo on your visit. Animals from five different
continents roam through magnificently landscaped habitats. These
simulated habitats feature natural exhibits where visitors can observe
over 800 different species. For children of all ages, there is also a
petting area. A gift shop and snack bar complete the Zoo's attractions.
Des Moines Playhouse & Kate Goldman Children's Theatre
One of the six oldest continuously operating community theatres in the
United States, this wonderful theatre has been in operation since 1919.
Its diversity of offerings include The Actors On Tour program, which
brings professional performances into the communities' schools. It's an
innovative way to enthrall and spark the imagination of all school
children; it also provides a discussion group after the performance. The
Playhouse offers other in-depth education program for schools and
community groups plus a Friday Funday for 4-6 year olds.
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