Des Moines Attractions


	Attractions Court Avenue District P.O.Box 93742 Historic District Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 244-7211 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 221 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 243-1140 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. Des Moines Playhouse & Kate Goldman Children's Theatre 831 42nd Street Des Moines, IA 50312 (515) 277-8019 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. Science Center of Iowa 4500 Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50312 (515) 274-4138 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. Blank Park Zoo 7401 SW 9th Street Des Moines, IA 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. Ingersoll Dinner Theater 3711 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312 (515) 274-4686 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 4700 Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50312 (515) 277-4405 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. Des Moines Metro Opera 106 W. Boston Ave Indianola, IA 50125 (515) 961-6221 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 217 Fifth Street/South door Fifth Street (physical address) West Des Moines, IA 50265 (515) 222-3642 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 224 S. 2nd Street, Winterset, IA (515)462-1044 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. Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Des Moines, IA (exit 142 off I-80) Tel: (515) 967-1000 (800) 325 9015 For a change of pace and a little fun-filled action, enjoy a day or evening at the racetrack and casino.