If you are planning to visit West Des Moines, IA, you are about to make the best decision of your life because the city has a lot to offer. From, museums, nature trails, zoos, and parks, you can never lack an activity to engage in while in West Des Moines, IA. Here are some exciting places you will be glad to visit while in the city.

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Des Moines Art Center

Location- 4700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa
The Art Center is an art museum that includes an extensive collection of sculpture, paintings, mixed media and modern art. The primary gallery rotates through various exhibitions all year round. The shows involve traveling shows from other institutions, solo concerts by internationally recognized artists, and group performances centered on a theme. The rest of the museum contains permanent collections. There are divisions for video gallery, photography shows, short-term print, as well as long-term installations organized thematically and chronologically. The grounds also highlight a rose garden and outdoor sculptures. There is also an external reflecting pool that is surrounded by the museum.

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Blank park zoo

Location- South of Des Moines city
It is a 25-acre park and is the only accredited zoo in Lowa state. The aim of creating the blank zoo was to promote appreciation of nature through recreation, education, and conservation. There are various exhibits in the city. One of them is the zoo which contains nocturnal animals and a few enclosed reptile exhibits. It houses the Madagascar hissing cockroach, Egyptian fruit bat, emperor scorpion, boa constrictor, among others. There is also the discovery center that is the first enclosed section you find when you enter the zoo. It contains various parts that offer an exceptional viewing experience. Other areas include the Meredith Alpine Exhibit, the aquarium of the discovery center, free range aviary, kid’s kingdom, and African Boardwalk.

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State historical museum

Location- 600 East Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50319
Visiting the museum can be an exciting adventure for the entire family. The state historical museum displays the story of Lowa’s development by exhibiting a collection of historical documents and artifacts. At the core of the history of Lowa are its people. The State Historical Museum thus celebrates the indigenous people of the area, their contributions, accomplishments, and disappointments. Such are the things that are least recognized and rarely recorded. Admission to the museum is free, and there are shops and a café inside.

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Western Gateway Park

Location- 1330 Grand Avenue, Downtown Des Moines
It is an urban park that was opened in 2006. The park has served as a host to various events such as music festival, Art festivals, political rallies and a variety of athletic festivals and events. The temple of performing arts, Des Moines Public Library, as well as the Des Moines center for Lowa University, is situated within the park. On October 31st, 2008, the 44th President of the U.S, Barack Obama, gave a speech to a rally in this park four days before he was elected president. 4.4 acres of the park was converted into a sculpture park, called the Pappajohn sculpture park.

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The Henry Wallace House

Location- 756 16th St., Des Moines, Iowa
It is a historic building that was Henry Wallace’s home. Henry actively campaigned for agricultural reforms and improvements. The house was declared a contributing property in the National Register of historic places. The house is a Victorian Italianate style building and was constructed in 1833. It features a second story balcony, stacked bay windows, and a wraparound porch. The Wallace’s altered the building’s architecture by adding a third story. The restoration of the building during the late 20th century was guided by photographs taken by Josephine Wallace, Henry’s daughter.

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The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Location- 1330 Grand Avenue, Downtown Des Moines
It was opened to the public in 2009, after being cut off from the Western Gateway Park. It features some of the best pieces by 22 of the world’s most celebrated artists. The 4.4-acre park is located at a junction between significant crossroads on the urban grid. It provides an ample pedestrian gateway into Des Moines downtown. The high caliber of the art and skilled landscape makes this part stand out from the rest of the United States parks.