4 Best Sights in Des Moines, Iowa

Housing an impressive permanent collection of art spanning both the 19th and 20th centuries, the Des Moines Art Center has a keen focus on contemporary artists in many media, including photography, printmaking, film, painting, and glass. Edward Hopper, Francis Bacon, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Jasper Johns are among the artists represented. A gift shop and restaurant (Baru 66 at the Art Center, which debuted in 2013) are open during museum hours. The packed calendar of gallery talks and films has turned the art center into a hot spot for art-minded locals.

Located in Greenwood–Ashworth Park, the Science Center hosts laser shows, planetarium activities, and a space-shuttle simulator appropriate for all ages. Past films in the IMAX theater have documented the flight of butterflies and the bond between humans and animals. Also within the 11,000-square-foot space are plenty of hands-on exhibits, storytime for children, and activities demonstrating dry ice, life in space, stargazing, and weather forecasting.

Operated by the State Historical Society of Iowa, this museum offers an excellent overview of Iowa's culture, both past and present. Temporary exhibits cover topics to fit varying interests, while permanent exhibits include wildlife dioramas, vintage aircraft, and "The Delicate Balance: Human Values and Iowa's Natural Resources," which provides a greater understanding of the state's relationship with natural resources by allowing visitors to stand in a coal mine or learn how to sew Native American moccasins.

The governor's opulent residence is an excellent example of Second Empire architecture, commissioned during the 1860s for an Iowa millionaire and built at a cost of $250,000. The 18,000-square-foot mansion earned status as a National Historic Landmark in 2003. Perched on a hill, it looks out over downtown Des Moines and is a major focal point from downtown. The governor and his family reside in a third-floor private apartment that is off-limits, but the hour-long guided tour explores other areas and outlines the storied history of the building.