Des Moines, Iowa offers a variety of attractions, including museums, shopping districts, and historic sites. The city’s name comes from the Des Moines River, and its pronunciation is di-ˈmȯin. Des Moines is known for its Capitol building, air-conditioned walkways, and farmers market. Visitors can explore the Iowa Gold Star Museum, Living History Farms, Science Center of Iowa, Blank Park Zoo, and Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden during the day, and watch a baseball game, visit the Up-Down Arcade Bar, catch a show at the Des Moines Performing Arts Center, or explore the East Village at night. The Iowa State Fair is also a popular event in August.
There are countless exciting things to explore in Des Moines, Iowa, from museums and interactive attractions to shopping districts and historic sites. With its rich history and friendly locals, Des Moines is definitely worth a visit.
Curiosities about Iowa and Des Moines
Des Moines is home to Waveland Golf Course, which opened in 1901. It is the oldest municipal golf course in the United States west of the Mississippi River.
Rap artist Drake shares his name with Drake University, which is located in Des Moines.
During a celebrity golf tournament in West Des Moines, actor Rob Lowe hit a golf ball that hit and killed a goldfinch (the state bird) while it was in flight.
Des Moines is pronounced di-ˈmȯin (rhymes with “coin”).
Iowa is famous for giving the world sliced bread, the Red Delicious apple, actor John Wayne, and Arabella Mansfield, the country’s first female lawyer.
Thing means Des Moines?
Historians agree that the city’s name comes from the Des Moines River, which French explorers named. In French, des moines means “of the monks” or “of the monks.” While it seems obvious that French explorers simply chose a word from their own language, historians and linguists believe that the name actually comes from the indigenous peoples of the area.
One explanation is that European explorers simply shortened the Algonquian clan name of a local tribe from Moingoana to Moines. A 2015 linguistic study of the Miami-Illinois language tells a slightly different story. In this version, Moingoana was not the real name of the tribe in question. Rather, it was a derogatory nickname that the rival Peoria tribe used and gave to 17th-century French explorers as a joke. Unfortunately, Moingoana’s “polite” translation is “faces of excrement.”
There is no consensus on what to call a person from Des Moines. The sources list various possibilities: Des Moinesian, Des Moineser and Iowan.
What is Des Moines known for?
Des Moines is the state capital and the Capitol building features a golden dome that is one of the largest in the world. The city also has approximately 4 miles of air-conditioned walkways that cover approximately 30 city blocks, allowing residents and tourists to avoid the freezing winter winds and scorching summer weather. The Des Moines Farmers Market sees over 20,000 attendees each week.
Things to do in Des Moines during the day
Here are some of the top attractions in Des Moines:
Iowa Gold Star Museum: This military museum seeks to honor Iowa veterans of all wars and features artifacts from various conflicts from the Civil War to Operation Enduring Freedom.
Living History Farms: Covering over 300 years of history, this open-air museum features re-enactors in period costumes. These interpreters provide insight into Iowa history during five different time periods, focusing on agriculture and ranching.
The Science Center of Iowa: This science museum features interactive exhibits for children and adults, as well as a planetarium and IMAX theater.
Blank Park Zoo: Home to over 1,000 creatures, the zoo is considered one of the best in the state.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: The center has both indoor and outdoor gardens featuring plants from a variety of climates, including many Midwestern native species.
What to do at night in Des Moines
Consider these great options for evening activities in Des Moines:
Watch a baseball game at Principal Park. It is the home of the Iowa Cubs (Triple-A affiliate team of the Chicago Cubs).
Enjoy food, drinks and vintage arcade games at the Up-Down Arcade Bar.
Catch a show at the Des Moines Performing Arts Center.
Check out the shops, bars, art galleries and restaurants in the up and coming East Village.
Plan a pleasant trip to Des Moines, Iowa
As you can see, the Hawkeye state is anything but boring. You can find many fun things to do in Des Moines and Sioux City is only a three hour drive away. In the other direction, Dubuque, Iowa is home to the Mathias Ham House Historic Site. This restored 19th-century house includes period furniture.
If you’re in Des Moines in August, you can attend the Iowa State Fair. This iconic event is held annually in a fairground that is more than a century old. It features concerts, farming exhibits, cattle competitions, and a giant cow sculpture made of 600 pounds of butter. Next time you’re planning a trip to the Midwest, be sure to schedule some time to enjoy Des Moines.
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