Chicago is my kind of town.

If it's good enough for Frank Sinatra, it's good. So much to do, weekend specials on hotels, museums, shopping, food, more!

Or if you're not a city person, how about state parks

Chicago is a fun city if you have never been there and I also think you'd enjoy the Twin Cities (Mpls./St. Paul) or Kansas City. WE enjoy going to all three and all have their own things that make them appealing. Easier to get around in Mpls. and K.C. than Chicago (traffic -wise) but all three are fun. If you go to K.C. you must go to the Country Club Plaza Area - especially nice after Thanksgiving when decorated for the Holidays and if to Mpls. must go to downtown Mpls., Mall of America and Grand Avenue Area of St. Paul. I like shopping in all three cities if that's your thing!! They have lots of specials to Mall of America that might interest you - hotel/airfare, etc. Have fun wherever you decide to go. If you need more info on any of the 3 let me know - would be happy to give you more info if you tell me what types if things youlike to do and types of places you like to stay.

My brother in law raved about Galena, Illinois which is about 200 miles from Des Moines. I think it would be more pleasant in more temperate weather however. There are probably cheap flights between Des Moines and Chicago. Next weekend is the Festival of Lights, for details go to www.metromix.com/lights. Hotels are probably pretty expensive that weekend though. During the holiday season is a good time to visit, the stores are decorated, Navy Pier has activities, lots of shopping, the Museum of Science & Industry has a Christmas tree display.

I suggest Kansas City. The Fountains are beautiful and the shopping is great. If you are planning on going after Thanksgiving make sure to plan a night out on the Plaza. If you like steak try Houston's (on the Plaza) and of course htere is a Cheese Cake Factory there also. Take a warm coat and try the carraige ride around the area, it's a fantastic way to see the lights. Don't forget they also have leagalized gambling on the riverboats. For other ideas check out Digitalcity.com. Good luck.

Another vote for Galena, IL, and you can save the airfare from Des Moines. It's great golfing/cross country skiing at the Galena Territory and a charming country inn with good restaurants. The terrain is very interesting as Jo Davies Co. escaped the glaciers that flattened the rest of the Midwest and so is rolling hills and quite pretty. The entire little town of Galena is historically preserved with good restaurants, pretty architecture and boutiques and antique shops. Would be a great weekend vacation--we used to have a home there. Enjoy.

Thanks everyone! Great information. I'm going to look into all of those suggestions and see what is best for us.
We like to stay at nice hotels or B&Bs. We enjoy shopping, but also enjoy activities - xcntry skiing sounds like fun!