hi. we are 3 people from norway, who are going to stay 2 nights in des moines. know very little about des moines. what is your must see in des moines, and any good pub where we can go out to have a beer? we are staying downtown at embassy suites on the river. an ok hotel? we have just one must see, and that is the birtplace of john wayne, but we are open for anything. thanks.

I hope you are not coming all the way from Norway just to visit Des Moines! I live 2 hours away from DM and we do day trips there to go to the huge shopping mall (Jordan Creek) and the state fair (in August). Sorry I can't be of more help!

When will you be in Des Moines? That will have a lot of influence on what we can recommend for you. Activities and attractions can vary greatly depending on the time of year.

The Embassy Suites is a nice hotel - you should be quite comfortable.

thanks. we are going on a round tour. start with 3 days in minneapolis, 2 days in fargo, 2 days in omaha, 2 days in des moines, and end our trip with 2 days again in minneapolis. one of my friends have family in minnesota. we are in des moines mid april. as i said before, we are open for anything.

That's a very interesting itinerary, and one that not very many Americans, let alone overseas visitors, make.

I've been to Des Moines, only on business, and I can't think of anything to recommend.

But, for Omaha, the zoo is incredible -- I have been to most of the world's major zoos, and Omaha's is one of the best.

Not sure if this would work into your schedule, but my wife (who is from Iowa) always recommends the Amana Colonies, which is about 2 hrs east of Des Moines.

www.amanacolonies.com

uh...just noticed your screen name. Plan on visiting the Bates Motel on your tour?

I hope I'm not recognized by any of the co-workers I had in Des Moines for twelve years, but I REALLY can't recommend that anyone fly into Des Moines just to see the John Wayne Birthplace in Winterset -- and I say that as someone who has seen over 100 films by The Duke. MAYBE if you are also interested in the covered bridges of Madison County, but there's just not enough in central Iowa worth visiting. There's Blank Park Zoo and Living History Farms, but better ones of both such attractions can be found in cities with FAR much more to recommend for a trip.

The John Wayne Birthplace has "period" pieces (ie, nothing from the Morrison family) and memorabilia from Wayne's career (mostly movie posters), so huge fans of his films (like me) would find a reason to visit IF YOU ARE ALREADY IN THE AREA. But to pay for three air tickets to Des Moines, just to see this museum, when there just isn't anything else of distinction in the area, isn't worth the money.

Yes, that is probably the most unique itinerary I have ever seen on Fodor's! I grew up in the Des Moines area a now live in the Omaha area, so well versed there. I hope this isn't your first visit to the US as this will be a little skewed vision of the place. Great area to live but touristy it is not.

If you are going to be in Des Moines or that matter this area and need the MUST do's. Geesh I thought I would never say that.. haha.

I can't imagine that Jordan Creek would be too interesting if you are going to Minneapolis go to the Mall of America there.

There are some fun countryside wineries around the DSM area if you like to get a taste of midwestern locals and/or like wine. I especially like Summerset Winery just south of DSM.

Go to the state capitol area and visit the state historical museum and the rotunda at the capitol to see a classical governmental architecture.

If you have time to drive around, I would recommend the Amana Colonies 2 hours to the east as someone else did. The drive to Pella is fairly short (40 minutes) and could include some activity around Lake Red Rock. Pella is home to a highly regarded Tulip Time festival and dutch foods etc. A very pretty little community.

You could go to the casino if that is your thing in Altoona a suburb of DSM. The Embassy Suites is a fine hotel for you. Right downtown so you can explore from there also. The Botanical Center is close and a nice diversion for a hour or so. If you are there during the week in the summer they MAY be activities on the downtown mall area that might prove interesting, just depends on the date of your visit.

Been in and out of Des Moines all my life as a Drake University graduate and with family still there. I would say yes to Living History Farms and also Amana Colonies if enough time. Agree that the John Wayne birthplace and covered bridges aren't worth the drive unless you just want to wander around the countryside.

Minneapolis surely has things to see, but why don't you focus on Norwegian sites in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Iowa? Surely there are museums and locations with Norwegian heritage.

ozarksbill

I think you've picked a great itinerary. You'll see parts of the US that most Americans don't bother to visit.

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Des Moines. I remember going there the first time with my Omaha friends. I was rolling my eyes thinking I was heading nowhere fast then I had a lot of fun. I learned that if I show up in a city of 200,000 and can't find anything to do it's my own fault.

I've not been in 8 or 10 years but some things don't change. You can have a great couple of days in Des Moines. I'm a big walker. I've walked all over downtown and out to the state capital which isn't even a mile away. There are also a lot of skywalks connecting downtown buildings if the weather is ugly.

I've stayed at the downtown Embassy Suites several times. It's always been a well-maintained property in the John Q. Hammons hotel group. Excellent location and well appointed with a beautiful atrium and waterfall.

Restaurants:

To grab a brew head to Raccoon Brewery. It's next to a skywalk and on the southwest side of downtown. It's a microbrewery that makes their own beers. They have great sandwiches for lunch. They also have pool tables for something to do while you sip that beer.

www.raccoonbrew.com

I love Tursis Latin King for dinner. It's a Des Moines institution east of downtown. Easy cab ride out if you want to have a drink with dinner. I had one of the best veal chops in my life the last time I visited.

www.tursislatinking.com

To do:

The aforementioned state capital is a beauty to see. Acres of marble, gold leaf dome and a library my friend's little girl called the "Beauty and the Beast" library. Floor to ceiling books and two beautiful wrought iron staircases. I've got to climb to the viewing level in the rotunda by showing up and asking a docent.

I looked. In April the Iowa Cubs minor league baseball team is playing at home 3 of the 4 weekends. Maybe you'll get lucky and can see a game. Nothing like a minor league baseball game for 10 bucks with guys who care about the game, not a bunch of overpaid, steroid injecting prima donnas.

www.iowacubs.com

The State Historical Society of Iowa has excellent exhibits on the history of Iowa. Conestoga wagons, pioneers, buffalo just about anything. It has great views of the downtown from their terrace too.

www.iowahistory.org/museum/index.html

Just a block or two north of your hotel is the botanical gardens. A small dome it's nice if the weather is lousy. Though small it's the first botanical gardens I've seen that keeps hummingbirds in the facility. They are fascinating to watch.

www.botanicalcenter.com/

You can check out the Des Arts Center. Where else can you find a building with 3 wings by 3 different modern architecture masters? Eliel Saarinen did the first building then I. M. Pei and Richard Meier each added on. Supposedly from the outside the I.M. Pei addition spells "PEI". (Actually I've yet to visit. I need to get back sometime.)

www.desmoinesartcenter.org

The civic center holds lots of events. Check their schedule and see if there's something to interest you.

www.civiccenter.org

Not to mention the visitor's bureau site listing all kinds of things:

www.seedesmoines.com

As an aside watch for the Loess Hills as you drive from Fargo to Omaha. There's not a whole lot else to see on the trip.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loess_Hills

Heading back to Minneapolis from DM, you may enjoy Lake Okoboji in Northwest Iowa.

Cut Des Moines to one night and use the extra time to go to central Nebraska along the Platte River for the Sand Hill Crane migration.

You can reserve a spot in a blind at Rowe Sanctuary for $20/piece and have an evening that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Keith

"I learned that if I show up in a city of 200,000 and can't find anything to do it's my own fault."

around, i really like that! I think that's a good thing to keep in mind when travelling.

I too only read the thread to read what people can recommend in des moines as I have never been. Sorry can't recommend but hope you have a great trip!

Still want to know if the Bates Motel is on the tour!