If you’re looking for something to do while you’re in West Des Moines, you’ve come to the right place. This city is located in Polk County, Iowa and is surrounded by Dallas, Warren, Madison, and Dallas counties. It’s a small city, so you’ll want to make sure you take your time to explore it. We’ve highlighted a few of the city’s attractions below.
Historic East Village
In the Historic East Village in West Des Moines, you can find a unique dining experience. This neighborhood centers around the Iowa State Capitol and Iowa State Historical Museum. There are also ice skating rinks and a concert venue along the Des Moines River. The neighborhood also boasts several cocktail bars and nightclubs.
Located west of downtown Des Moines, Historic East Village is home to more than 90 restaurants, boutiques, and other entertainment destinations. It is accessible via bicycle trails, DART, and automobile. It is also home to the Iowa State Capitol and a number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Historic East Village is walkable and full of character. In addition to boutique shops and restaurants, you can also find art galleries, tea houses, and hotels. The area is also home to national home goods retailer West Elm. The area is also known for its yearly Holiday Promenade. The event is a family-friendly holiday tradition and features holiday festivities, food, and drink vendors.
Hoyt Sherman Place
Hoyt Sherman Place is an historic home built in 1877 in Des Moines, Iowa. The home features a grand entryway and a beautiful courtyard. It is a great place to spend a romantic evening. Visitors to the house can take a guided tour of the house and its historic surroundings.
Hoyt Sherman Place is located in the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood of Des Moines. It was originally constructed as a family home in 1877. The building later housed the Sisters of Mercy for two years. It then became the home of the Des Moines Women’s Club. The club decided to add an art gallery to the home, making it the first public art gallery in the city.
In 1907, Hoyt Sherman Place became a clubhouse for the Des Moines Women’s Club. In 1923, the club added an auditorium and an art gallery. Today, the home is run by the Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation, which provides long-term care and supports the home.
Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
You’ll find Asian culture at its finest at the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens, located in West Des Moines, Iowa. This beautiful park features an Asian pavilion, stone pagodas, waterfalls, and a pond. You’ll also find a series of statues depicting scenes from Asian culture.
If you’ve ever visited the city’s Riverfront Gardens, you may be interested in checking out the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens. This oasis on the Des Moines River features a beautiful red and green pagoda and delicate Asian shrubbery. The gardens make a great stop-off if you’re in the area and are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the city’s riverfront.
A massive pagoda overlooks the Des Moines River. The gardens also feature statues and waterfalls. The gardens are open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to walk along the riverwalk. The Principal Riverwalk, which was completed in 2013, adds to the cultural attractions of this area.
World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
The U.S. leadership is crucial in addressing global hunger and malnutrition. Our leadership in promoting food security will encourage other countries to follow our lead and take action. Our investments in food security will also help promote global economic growth, which will increase trade for U.S. entities and create jobs and a better environment. In addition, our support for food security will reflect long-cherished American values, while helping us realize our global aspirations.
The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines, Iowa, is a great place to see the achievements of past winners. The building is home to many interactive exhibits that showcase the work of the award winners. The building itself is decorated with a massive mural of the city of Des Moines and features a huge stained glass window dedicated to Dr. Norman Borlaug.
The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines celebrates the work of pioneering scientists and engineers. The building, which is 100 years old, serves as an exhibit hall and museum for the prize winners. Its interactive exhibits highlight food security and the battle against hunger.
Living History Farms
A 500-acre open-air museum in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, Living History Farms is dedicated to educating visitors about the agricultural history of Iowa. The farm is open to the public and offers tours of its many historic buildings. Visitors will enjoy the interactive museum and learn about agricultural practices of the past.
Living History Farms recreates the lives of farmers and townspeople from different time periods. They do this by preserving historical buildings and recreations. The site includes exhibits from all 50 states and 32 countries. These exhibits allow guests to gain a better understanding of the agricultural legacy of the United States and its ongoing legacy today.
The Living History Farms have a rich history, dating back to the 1800s. The first documented ownership of the land is linked to the 1842 ceding of Native American lands to the United States. This sparked a wave of land settlement west of the Mississippi River, which quickly spread throughout the state of Iowa. John Lewis, an Irish immigrant, purchased 160 acres in 1849 for $1.25 an acre.
Crabapple Arboretum
The Crabapple Arboretum is a great place to see flowering crabapple trees. It is home to one of the largest collections in the world, and visitors can take a stroll through its many gardens. The park has miles of trails, including paved and dirt trails. The park also hosts concerts throughout the year.
The arboretum’s hundreds of flowering crabapple trees are a popular sight each spring. It is located near Grays Lake Park and Fleur Drive. It is usually open from mid-April to mid-May, and is popular with walkers and picnickers. The arboretum was organized in 1930 by horticulturist Arie Den Boer.
There are three main gardens at the Crabapple Arboretum: the water garden, the English style garden, and the prairie and meadow areas. A variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials make this garden a unique place to visit.
Water Works Park
If you’re looking for a great park in West Des Moines, Iowa, then Water Works Park is a great option. This park features a sandbox, a sylvan theater, and restrooms. The park’s natural wooden structures are perfect for kids to let their imaginations run wild. It’s also a great spot for photos.
The park’s 1,500 acres are divided by the Raccoon River and feature a 3-mile-long infiltration gallery that is a major source of water for the city. To design the park, Des Moines Water Works hosted an international competition for proposals, partnering with the Iowa State University Department of Landscape Architecture. The competition sought to create a public space that integrated social and ecological functions. The goal of the design was to inspire community members and create discussion about watershed issues. The project also sought solutions to specific challenges faced by the watershed.
The Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation is the organization that manages the park. Its mission is to transform the park into a public space with multiple uses, including recreation, conservation, and education. In addition, the park’s master plan is intended to change the way people think about water.
Iowa State Capitol
The Iowa State Capitol, also called the Statehouse, is located in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital. It is home to the Iowa Senate and the House of Representatives. It is a fascinating place to visit and learn about the history of the state. If you visit, make sure to take time to see the House and Senate chambers.
The Iowa State Capitol is open to the public Monday through Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also take a free tour of the building and learn about its history. The building also features the Governor’s office, legislature, and an old supreme court room. You can also book a guided tour of the Iowa State Capitol.
The Iowa State Capitol is free to tour and you can see all of the rooms, but be sure to visit the building on a weekday to get the full impact. The building’s interior is beautiful and its artwork is amazing. It is possible to tour the building on your own, but some reviewers recommend taking a guided tour. You can contact the Iowa Capitol Visitor Center to make arrangements.
