Des Moines Sights

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Even on a cloudy day, two of the capitol domes still glisten

• Capitol Building, E 9th and Grand Ave, ☎ +1 515 281-5591, www.legis.state.ia.us/Pubinfo/Tour. M-F 8AM-3:30PM, Sa 9:30AM-2:30PM, closed Su. One of the more popular state capitols to tour, it is easy to spot it with its sparkling 23-karat gold leaf dome and four-surrounding smaller copper-topped domes. Those wishing to see the inside from a bird's eye view will climb 298 steps before reaching the top from their start on the second floor. Historic flags, some hailing from the US Civil War-era, are on display, and tour staff are available during all hours in which the capitol is open to visitors. Cafeteria is on the bottom floor. Free.

• Salisbury House, 4025 Tonawanda Dr, ☎ +1 515 274-1777 (fax: +1 515 274-0814), www.salisburyhouse.org. Tour schedule varies. The house, originally built between 1923-1928, features Tudor, Gothic, and Corolean styles all throughout its 42 rooms. Also shelters many artifacts, including objects of art, furniture, tapestries and books. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has labeled it a "national treasure" and the property has also been featured on A&E and Home and Garden Television. Hosts many events during the year, including chamber music concerts, Gatsby Gala, Salisbury Automobile Classic, group meetings and Shakespeare on the Lawn. $7, aged 6-12 $3, 65+ $6. .

• Terrace Hill (Governor's mansion), 2300 Grand Ave, www.terracehill.org/home/welcome/governor. Since 1971, has served as home for the Governor and and First Family of Iowa during his or her term. The site was the home of Iowa's first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, with construction beginning in 1866 after being designed by William Boyington (designer of the Water Tower of Chicago which survived the Great Fire). Aptly named as it sits atop the Raccoon River.

• Des Moines Art Center (secondary location, Des Moines Art Center Downtown, 800 Walnut St), 4700 Grand Ave (Greenwood Park), ☎ +1 515 277-4405 (informationdesk@desmoinesartcenter.org, fax: +1 515 271-0357), desmoinesartcenter.org/index.html. Tu-W, F 11AM-4PM, Th 11AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM, closed M. The building, completed in 1948, is a piece of art itself, having been created and transformed by three architects: Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei, and Richard Meier. The Center boasts a permanent collection of contemporary art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including works from Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, Georgia O'Keeffe, Henri Matisse, and Francis Bacon. The restaurant has a 5-star rating by The Des Moines Register, featuring a different menu weekly and open for lunch only. Free.

• State Historical Society of Iowa Museum (Des Moines), 600 E Locust St (East Village), ☎ + 515 281-5111 (fax: +1 515 282-0502), www.state.ia.us/iowahistory/museum/museum_education/museum_education.html. Tu-Sa 9AM-4:30PM, Su noon-4:30PM, closed M and holidays. Exhibits include a venture into Iowa's past when glaciers pushed their way through and mammoths roamed the plains, state's frontier and prairie past where kid-friendly activities such as pushing a plow or carrying buckets with a shoulder yoke can be had. Fossil, Native American, wildlife, and Iowa U.S. Civil War flags on display. Cafe Baratta's inside.

• Science Center of Iowa, 401 W Martin Luther King, Jr. Pkwy (Court District downtown), ☎ +1 515 274-6868 (info@sciowa.org, fax: +1 515 274-3404), www.sciowa.org/Default.aspx. M-W, F Sa 9AM-5:30PM, Th 9AM-8PM, Su noon-5:30PM. The Center hosts six different experience platforms including Science is Where You Find it (including exhibits Kitchen Chemistry and Physics in the Field), When Things Get Moving (including Design a Propeller and Robot Run), Who are We? (including Color my World and In Your Genes), Why the Sky? (including Cosmic Video Jukebox and Viewing the Night Sky, in addition to planetarium shows in the 50-foot dome), Small Discoveries (including Bubble Bay and World of Wonder, all geared toward children 7 and under), What on Earth? (including Iowa Habitats, Ant Farm, and the WHO-TV Weather Studio) and limited exhibits in Principal Hall. $15, aged 2-12 $11, 65+ $12.50 ($10/$7/$8 without IMAX).

• Blank Park Zoo, 7401 SW 9th St, ☎ +1 515 285-4722, www.blankparkzoo.com/index.cfm. Permanent exhibits as well as activities, such as "Behind the Scenes" tours and "Feed the Giraffes", all throughout the year. Also hosts several special events throughout the year, including Zoo Brew (geared towards those 21+). Adults $9.95, aged 3-12 $4.95, 65+ $7.95. (41.520430,-93.624638)

Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens along the Des Moines River

• Des Moines Botanical Center, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, ☎ +1 515 323-6290, www.desmoinesbotanicalcenter.com/main.asp. Particularly popular during cold Iowa winters. Special events and learning modules all throughout the year. Connected to the parking lot is the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens with a featured Asian pavilion, built in honor of both the Asian Americans who immigrated to Iowa in the late-70's and former Gov. Ray. Tours $4.