The capital of Iowa, Des Moines is an excellent destination for the family centered vacation. There is the Blank Park Zoo which is actually very beautifully landscaped. Then there is the State Historical Museum and the Science Center of Iowa. A good place to visit with the whole family is the Des Moines Art Center. For the outdoor type there is the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids which has 210 acres of beautifully restored savannas, prairies and woodlands. Throughout the entire state, Iowa is most known for their scenic landscape and historic trails.
Des Moines is located in central Iowa and features many attractions for any type of traveler. Some options include sports both college and professional, casinos, antique shopping, historic museums and many cultural events. Des Moines is known around the world as an excellent family destination. The largest tourism event for the state is the summer Iowa State Fair. The nearby town of Altoona offers the Adventure Land which has a hundred different rides, shows and attractions with four roller coasters. Throughout the year the city offers a variety of performing arts at any of their seven theaters.
In Cedar Rapids you can have a unique cultural experience. Brucemore offers beautiful gardens to walk through with a Queen Anne style mansion that was built in the late eighteen hundreds. There is the Czech Village which takes you to central Europe with a variety of bakeries, shops and restaurants. Cedar Rapids is an excellent destination for the history oriented traveler since the city offers the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the Iowa Masonic Library and Museum, the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, and the Indian Creek Nature Center. Cedar Rapids offers both a historic and outdoor experience for travelers.
Many of the accommodations you will find in Iowa are chain hotels and motels. However there are a few excellent options such as the Suits of 800 Locust Hotel and Spa in Des Moines which is a boutique property and the only of its kind in Des Moines. Nearby in the city of Perry there is the Hotel Pattee which is a historic landmark with forty room and suites that are individually decorated according to historical figures from the Midwest.
Iowa does offer an excellent selection of bed and breakfasts for travelers. The B&Bs in Iowa range from historic inns to farmhouses. The Iowa Bed and Breakfast Guild can give the best information on your available options. You can visit them at www.ia-bednbreakfast-inns.com. However, an excellent choice in Des Moines is the Butler House on Grand which has luxury decorated rooms that have been featured in national magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens. No matter what your style you will find an accommodation to match it in Iowa.
