Iowa State Capitol
Originally constructed during the late 1800s, this building represents the very best of the early 1900s architectural designs. The steel and brick dome is coated with a thick layer of gold leaf that really makes it stand out on a bright and sunny day. The city offers free daily and guided tours of this amazing capitol building. Make sure that you don’t miss this structure when you travel to Des Moines.

Des Moines Botanical Center
One of the coolest botanical centers in the country, this awesome fourteen acre center sits adjacent to the Des Moines River and is one of the most popular of all attractions that can be found in this city. It annually sees hundreds of thousands of visitors and can be very packed during certain times of the year. Make sure that you call ahead when you are here so that you can find out the best time to visit this must-see destination. Also make sure that you set aside plenty of time to really take in all of the sights that are here; it is recommended that you set aside at least half a day.

Blank Park Zoo
The mission statement for this zoo reads as follows, “To inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education and recreation.” This is exactly how you will feel and what you will find when you visit this not-to-be-missed, world class zoo in Des Moines. Take a gander at over a hundred different species of animals and nearly 1,500 different specimens as you browse through this awesome, must-see attraction.

Walnut Woods State Park
This preserved state park is awesome. Its 260 acres of preserved land meet at the Raccoon River in West Des Moines. This park is open 365 days per year and hosts many different activities that vary by season including, but not limited to: cross country skiing, backpacking, hiking, hunting, camping, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching, waterside activities such as rafting and boating, and many more.

Jordan House
This house is the historically preserved house of the original founder of Valley Junction, James Jordan; one of the coolest, perhaps, historical mansions that you can visit when you travel to Des Moines. The gothic and Victorian architecture is literally awe-inspiring. There is a rich history attached to this mansion, which is best known for being a part of the intricate Underground Railroad that helped to free southern slaves to the north during the 1800s and the Civil War. Today it is a museum where you can enjoy a guided tour, and it is also one of the oldest houses in the state.

For more free information on Des Moines travel, and for a complete top ten list of things to see and do please visit: [http://www.Des-MoinesVacationTravelsGuidi.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Jon_Lazar

Fun Valley offers outstanding group rates for groups of ten or more. Birthday packages are also fun, exciting and wonderful for that special day for kids, and their friends and family, ages twelve and under. Every Wednesday and Thursday night the ski resort offers a student night with greatly reduced rates. Buddy Pass Friday’s are also popular – bring your friends and you will all save on lift tickets. Coca-Cola sponsors Sprite Saturday’s at Fun Valley, where you can participate in three activities for one flat affordable fee. Sundays are Family Four Pack Day. There is no doubt about it, today when family values are questionable, going skiing is a way for everyone to have fun with each other and also, by doing something different.

The top elevation at Fun Valley is 1,201 feet, with a vertical drop of 200 feet. There are six lifts, including three chair lifts and three surface lifts. The new learning Adventure Centre is something to see – and experience if you are a beginner. All students are allowed to develop their skills at their own pace, with seven stations providing a fun evironement for the development of mobility and balance, stopping, direction change, linked controlled turns, green stripe evaluation in a Slalom Course, introduction to chairlifts, and rhythmical turns on a green slope. Between the Ski Adventure Centre and the Snowboard Ride Centre, there is no reasons why teaching cannot be fun!

Check out http://www.winter-sportz.com/ for more articles on lake tahoe ski resorts and snow ski vacations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Singh

The ball field was built on the Lansing farm in three days during the spring of 1988. The film was shot that summer. There are information panels on the site that talk about the filming, such as how they picked that particular farm. The stories of how they got a field of tall green corn in the middle of a drought and setup the final scene with all the cars lined up are particularly interesting.

The Lansing family has owned the 193 acre farm for over a century. They are still there, working the land. The movie premiered on April 21, 1989 and visitors started arriving shortly thereafter. The Lansings realized they had something special and have preserved the site as it was in the movie. Admission is free although donations are appreciated. The souvenir stand is manned by volunteers, some of whom have been there for 20 years.

Ironically, the Lansings don’t make much money from souvenir sales. They have to pay royalties to Universal Studios for the right to market “Field of Dreams.” There is no commercialization and no organized activities are permitted. It has retained its charm as a throwback to a simpler time and place.

Sadly, the farm was recently put up for sale. The asking price is $5.4 million dollars. This place is an American treasure. Let’s hope some shyster doesn’t take over and turn it into a circus.

All in all, this area makes for a great geocaching destination.

Dan Lawson has more information about this topic and many others (including great pictures) on his website at http://www.offthebeatenpath.ws. Comments, suggestions and questions are welcomed and can be submitted through site links to his email and guest book.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Lawson

There are also birding experts available to answer any and all questions. Prairie du Chien is located along the banks of the Upper Mississippi River. The area is home to the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the lower 48 states. They are believed to host more bald eagles than any other refuge in the states, except Alaska. There are 100 active bald eagle nests with approximately 79 eaglets were produced. This is a huge difference from years past as in 1972 there was only one known eagle nest in the whole Upper Mississippi River Refuge.

The birthplace of John Wayne is located in Winterset, Iowa in Madison County. Stay warm while visiting this cute little home and learning about one of America’s favorite movie stars. John Wayne was a legendary actor and just the mention of his name brings to mind an old cowboy with courage and, of course, True Grit. The home is a modest four-bedroom home that has been restored to its original 1907 appearance. There are hundreds of rare photographs as well as personal letters on display from Lucille Ball, Maureen O’Hara, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Ronald Reagan and George Burns. You can also see movie artifacts such as the eye patch he wore in True Grit, the hat worn in Rio Lobo and the suitcase used in Stagecoach. Ronald Reagan noted that the birthplace was a tribute to a good friend and great American. The home is open seven days a week except on holidays. Guided tours are also available.

If there’s snow on the ground you can’t miss out on the great skiing and winter activities. There are several ski resorts and ski areas to take advantage of during the winter months in Iowa. Great ski areas can be found in Boone, Crescent, Des Moines, Dubuque and Montezuma.

Rob Vrabel is the co-owner of http://iowa.2havefun.com/, the largest directory of fun things to do in Iowa. Visit this great directory at http://www.2havefun.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Vrabel

Midwest Art Fest

If you enjoy art, you will want to take in the annual Art Festival as well as the Midwest Art Fest. You can attend both shows that take place the first weekend in May at the Fairgrounds in downtown Des Moines. If you enjoy art, this is an ideal way for you to get two art festivals for the price of one. The downtown show runs a complimentary shuttle for those who are staying in the city and is considered one of the biggest Midwest art festivals.

CelebrAsian Heritage Festival

The second weekend in May is the CelebrAsian Heritage Festival that has been taken place for over a decade. This event includes cultural exhibits, foods, entertainment, carnival rides and more and is considered to be one of the biggest family events in Iowa. This day long event takes place at the civic center in downtown DesMoines.

Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair is one of the biggest state fairs in the country and has even been celebrated on film. The fair features a large midway, entertainment, competition a rodeo and more. It is held the second and third weeks of August each year at the Iowa State fairgrounds in Des Moines.

DesMoines Renaissance Faire

Labor Day weekend is a time when you can go back in time to see what it was like back during the renaissance. There are demonstrations, entertainment, food vendors, craft vendors and artisans in costume during this annual Labor Day weekend event that takes place every Labor Day weekend in downtown Des Moines.

Festa Italiana

You can celebrate Italian culture that includes food, music and entertainment at the fairgrounds during the third weekend in September. This festival that is sponsored by the Society of Italian Americans, celebrates all things Italian and even includes contests for the best spaghetti sauce.

Festival of Trees and Lights

Celebrate the holidays in downtown Des Moines with this festival that ushers in the Christmas season. This festival features a tree lighting ceremony as well as a parade, craft and food vendors and also features Santa Claus. This event begins the day after Thanksgiving and lasts the entire weekend, with activities and entertainment in tents throughout he festival.

Inerrobong Film Festival

This annual film festival is held the last weekend of January and includes public screenings of films by local filmmakers. There is competition in many different categories and a small fee for admission to the film festival.

There is plenty to see and do if you visit Des Moines. Whether you visit in the summer or winter, there is always something going on in the city of Des Moines.

Joe Deacon loves to travel and Des Moines events are some of his favorite must-see happenings. Go to Eventsetter.com and see a schedule of Des Moines events running at the time of your visit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Deacon

Davenport has two major universities, namely the Palmer College of Chiropractic and Saint Ambrose University. These schools are the home of wellness technique and chiropractic. Numerous famous annual music festivals occur in this region, including the Mississippi Valley Fair, the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival that is dedicated to their native Bix Beiderbecke.

Davenport has a humid continental climate and the summer is known for their temperate hot days. Winter season in the region features high winds and a freezing temperature. Expect snowfall from the months of November to January. The average snowfall in Davenport is 30.7 inches per month. The month of January is, on average, the coldest month while the month of July is the warmest in Davenport. The highest temperature traced in Davenport is about 101 degrees Fahrenheit on the month of July.

Downtown Davenport has numerous points of interest such as Putnam Museum, River Music Experience, Figge Art Museum, the Davenport Skybridge, IMAX Theater and the Davenport Public Library and Modern Woodmen Park that is home of the Centennial Bridge and the Quad City River Bandits baseball team.

Davenport has about 27 parks that have 2,200 acres of land. The major park is Credit Island which has a 420-acre park all in southwest Davenport, situated beside the Mississippi River. The Fejervary Park contains a children’s zoo and a pool, where in, about 20,000 guests come here every year.

The Jungle Park is located beside the Duck Creek Parkway and has softball and baseball fields. This is along with a basketball court and sand volleyball sections. The Vander Veer Botanical Park welcomes about 25,000 guests with their continuous floral shows. The conservatory and rose garden are especially well known as the best wedding sites.

Davenport offers several river-related activities. Celebration Belle has a river cruise from one and a half hours of sightseeing cruise to all day three-meal cruises up to Dubuque, Iowa. Channel Cat Boat offers rides across the river and has three shops in Illinois and two stops in Iowa as well as connected bike paths for each state, having a riverfront.

There are many hotels located in the Davenport Iowa. One of which is the Quality Inn Maingate West. This hotel is one and a half mile away from Disney World’s main gate. Visitors of the Disney World’s could buy their Disney Park tickets in the lobby in order to avoid long ticket lines. The entire family can enjoy a kitchenette suite that features refrigerators and small stoves. Everyone can enjoy standard amenities like coffee makers, colored cable television and in-room electronic safes.

Baymont Inn Davenport Hotel is one and a half mile away from the Wackey’s Water Park. It is also two miles away from the North Park Mall and 15 miles away from the Quadcities Airport. The hotel has laundry facilities and an indoor pool with a spa tub, complementary deluxe breakfast and free newspaper in the hotel lobby. The hotel’s guestrooms provide voice mail, coffee makers, free local calls and satellite television amenities. Baymont Inn Davenport Hotel is situated at #400 Jason Way CT Davenport Iowa.

For more information on Cheap Davenport Hotels [http://www.davenport-hotels.net/davenport-cheap-davenport-hotels.php] and Pet Friendly Hotels in Davenport [http://www.davenport-hotels.net/davenport-pet-friendly-hotels-in-davenport.php], please visit our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wasim_Ahmad

So, now let me tell you about some very good campgrounds located in Iowa where you can enjoy a pleasurable stay with your family and friends.

1. Yellow Smoke RV Park

This is recreational area which is located very near to Denison on Highway 30. This park is the best destination for picnics, hiking, boating, swimming, camping, canoeing, sailing and fishing. Here you would find 61 large well maintained sites with modern facilities and conveniences like dump station, water and electric hookups. This park also provides you a 40 acre clean water lake where you can indulge in various water activities with your kids. If you are planning to come here, then you need to make reservations in advance.

2. Redwood Resort

This alluring RV campground is located on beautiful Lost Island Lake in Ruthven, Iowa. This place is very good for family vacations and reunions. The glacier carved lake and the scenic background makes this place even more splendid. Here you would a wide variety of recreational opportunities which you can enjoy to the fullest. Redwood Resort provides camping on big sites, rustic cabins, and large homes for your getaway stay. The natural ambiance and the calm environment, makes this place a good destination for summer holidays and weekend retreats.

3. Deer Ridge Campground

This amazing campground is situated one mile South of Wadena, Iowa. The place has an extremely serene atmosphere and very cordial staff members. The campground has an on-site pond, a playground equipped with all the modern facilities, a book house where you can read books in your free time, a shower house, a sand volleyball court and a Shelter house. Some of the places that you can visit nearby include Duttons Cave, Gilberson Park, Fayette County Parks and Montauk.

4. Lake Shore RV Campground and Resort

This resort is located in Q Avenue, Oelwein, Iowa and offers the best facilities and services to the visitors. The park is located near the beach area where you can enjoy various water activities, play games, built sand castles, and enjoy under the sun. The campground is opened all the year around but you need to make your reservations in advance.

These are some very good campgrounds that are located in Iowa.

Read more about Camping & RV Parks. Going to Iowa? Know all Iowa Campgrounds & RV Parks

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sophia_Baker

Living In Iowa

Iowa is considered one of the best places to raise a family. Their statistics on health, safety and employment are impressive. Iowa is one of the top states for health benefits and safe communities in which to raise a family. Real estate prices are competitive, but not over the top, and most people can afford to purchase a home in Iowa that will suit their needs, whether they want a posh downtown condo in Des Moines, or several acres in the country.

Iowa also has a diverse blend of activities for every member of the family. There are cultural events, historical sites, outdoor activities and much more. Iowa provides many great opportunities for adventure and fun. Iowa is also working to have a multicultural population that will allow residents to learn about and appreciate other cultures.

The weather in Iowa is a pleasant mix of four distinct seasons, and there are things to do in every part of the year.

Working In Iowa

While Iowa has traditionally been known as a farming state that produces both corn and soybeans, Iowa also has a rapidly growing non-farm employment base. There are jobs in many fields, including scientific and manufacturing, to name a few. The unemployment rate for Iowa continues to be just less than 5%, which is better than the national average.

Iowa has excellent schools. They have many higher education choices for students to further their education.

Play In Iowa

If you simply want to visit Iowa, there is a lot for every traveler to do. Indoors or outdoors, tame or exciting, there is something in Iowa for every type of person. Iowa has a rich historical history that you can explore throughout the state. Iowa is bordered by the Mississippi River, and has locales and activities all along the shores. Iowa is also rich in camping, hiking, boating and fishing. An outdoor enthusiast would love all Iowa has to offer.

For the more sophisticated palate, there are cultural activities like theater, opera, and art galleries. There are fine dining establishments and lodging to fit every budget. So if you think Iowa might be the place for you, take the time to find out more.

http://iowahq.com Facts about Iowa from tourism to buying and selling real estate.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Francis

Facts About Iowa

The many sites available for Iowa tourism have lots to offer. These tourism sites are also happy to give some facts about Iowa for tourists to note. For instance, the capitol of Iowa is Des Moines, which is located in the middle of the state and has a population of over 198,000. The state flower is the wild rose, the state tree is an oak, and chances are pretty good that in the spring and summer you may catch a glimpse of the state bird, the eastern goldfinch. Iowa is named for the Ioway Indians that used to live in that region.

What Can You Do In Iowa?

The question should not be what can you do, but what can’t you do. Iowa tourism is the quintessential travel destination in that it has something for every one. If you like to gamble, you can do it in Iowa. Iowa has some of the best cultural opportunities for tourists. Museums, art galleries, and musical and theater productions are common events in the bigger cities.

If you prefer the great outdoors, Iowa tourism is for you. You can hike, camp, fish, boat and golf on one of the state’s many excellent golf courses. There are plenty of state parks to explore to your heart’s content.

Iowa also offers tourists a rich heritage of history. There are historic sites to visit and learn about in every corner of state, especially along the mighty Mississippi.

And if you are just in the market for a good time, check out Adventureland, one of the best amusement parks around. Thrills and excitement are yours for the taking.

What Else Does Iowa Have To Offer?

Iowa has a tourist bureau that is ready and willing to help you plan your business or personal trip to their state. They can help you with family travel, pet-friendly travel, cheap and discount travel options and lots of information for the business traveler, too. They can give you information on everything from lodging to dining to area airports.

So if you have never thought of Iowa as a great travel destination, think again. Check out Iowa, and you will be pleasantly surprised. It’s no wonder that Iowa tourism continues to grow.

http://iowahq.com Facts about Iowa from tourism to buying and selling real estate.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Francis

There are over 28,000 students enrolled at the University of Iowa. The makeup of students is diverse. 64% of students enrolled at the University of Iowa are residents of Iowa. Another 21% of students come from the adjoining states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota. 8% of students come from other states in the U.S. There are also students from 106 countries around the world represented at the University Of Iowa. This provides for a population that is extremely diverse and interesting.

The University of Iowa consists of eleven colleges, or fields of study. Many of them are considered to be some of the very best programs west of the Mississippi. They are:

-Liberal Arts and Sciences

-Business

-Dentistry

-Engineering

-Education

-Law

-Medicine

-Nursing

-Pharmacy

-Public Health

-Graduate

The life for a student at the University of Iowa is filled with things to do. The University provides many types of financial aid to both in state and out of state students. There are also resources for on-campus and off-campus housing. The University boasts excellent student health and safety resources, and the variety of campus activities and clubs make sure that any student can find something to suit their individual needs and interests. Most students feel very comfortable with the amenities offered by the University and enjoy campus life and activities. Some students find participating in student government to be an excellent way to get involved in campus life at the University Of Iowa.

The University Of Iowa has an excellent sports program. The Iowa Hawkeyes are the students participating in various sports. The faculty and the students support the Iowa Hawkeyes, and events are well attended.

Many of the students who graduate from the University of Iowa have excellent job prospects, both in state and in other parts of the U.S.

http://iowahq.com Facts about Iowa from tourism to buying and selling real estate.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Francis