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]

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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.

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The Corn Dog Kickoff is a lively auction event held each year where visitors can do some light food grazing while bidding on silent and live auction packages. The proceeds of the auction all go to helping restore the fairgrounds so visitors can eat, bid and relax knowing that their helping the fair.

The State Fair is very popular so you may at times find yourself trapped in crowds like a sardine in a tin can. Remember to stay calm and keep a sharp eye out for concession stands or edge areas where you can slip out of the crowds. If you prefer to stay out of the crowds as much as possible and like and eagle’s eye view, check out the Skyliner Rides that carry visitors comfortably over the midway.

Those who’ve gotten tired out from all the walking involved at the fair can head to Legacy Terrace to sit on the Restoration style benches and enjoy the arching fountains. In the evening three foot tall pathway lights flicker on and guide visitors on their way.

Visitors can catch the park ‘n’ ride shuttles to and from the fair for a minimal price per person. It’s even possible to stay on the fairgrounds as they have lots of camping spots available for RV’s and for tent camping. It’s possible to reserve a spot at the fair in advance but you must arrive on the first day of the fair and plan on staying for the entire fourteen days of the fair, otherwise it’s a first come first serve basis.

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.

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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

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The Village of East Davenport features:

o Shopping

o Galleries

o Parks

o Celebrations

o Pubs & eateries

o A Mighty Mississippi view

Your day at the Village of East Davenport in Iowa can be totally unstructured, just strolling leisurely from place to place and discovering their unique surprises among the gift and gallery shops. Plan enough time to eat and drink there as well.

You can also visit the Village of East Davenport with a particular mission in mind such as finding your wedding needs, clothing, fragrances, stationery, candies, wines, hair styling and makeup, gifts, tea parties, and enjoying relaxing massages. They strive to offer the best to their visitors and guarantee you friendly services.

This community boasts of beautiful views and great attention to preserving an historic neighborhood.

The Village of East Davenport Directory of Businesses includes:

o Antiques

o Artists, crafters & Galleries

o Clothing, Jewelry & Body Care

o Food & Drink Establishments

o Foods and Flowers

o Landmarks

o Offices

o Services

o Health & Beauty Services

o Specialty Shops

Upcoming special events:

Christmas in the Village: November 30 to December 1 and December 7 to December 8, 2007: This event has occurred for over 25 years and features living store windows, live music throughout the village, animals, a special appearance from Santa Claus, and a living Nativity.

While you are in the Iowa areas inquire about Iowa’s trails that include:

o The American Discovery Trail: The nation’s first coast to coast non-motorized recreation trail

o American Trails

o Biking Trails

o Mississippi River Trail

o Raccoon River Valley Trail

o Cedar Valley Nature Trail

o Great Western Trail

o Sugarbottom Mountain Bike Trails

o Wabash Trace

Source: The Village of East Davenport Online

Important Disclaimer: The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with any of the attractions mentioned in this article. This article and the web site are offered as a resource for formulating vacation ideas.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Written by: Connie Limon. For more vacation ideas visit http://smalldogs2.com/VacationIdeas For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special topic articles rarely found elsewhere visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

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Here is some more information about the area:

- Some of the major companies headquartered in Cedar Rapids include McLeodUSA and Rockwell Collins.

- The main airport serving Cedar Rapids is The Eastern Iowa Airport.

- The main professional sports team in Cedar Rapids is the baseball team, the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

- Cedar Rapids is only one of a handful of cities in the world with its municipal buildings located on island in the river. In the case of Cedar Rapids, city hall and the county courthouse are located on Mays Island, an island in the middle of the Cedar River.

- Cedar Rapids is sometimes known as the “City of Five Seasons” – these are supposed to be the traditional four seasons as well as fifth season as a time to enjoy the other four. This nickname is commemorated by a sculpture in the downtown area (known as the “Five Seasons” sculpture), as well as in various local jokes such as the “city of five smells”, referring to the smells from factories around the city.

- According to the manufacturers’ information, the fictional character, WindChill (a GI Joe action-figure toy) is supposedly from Cedar Rapids.

By S. Tanna. First published at http://www.vacation2usa.com/p1_state_iowa_cities_cedar_rapids.php – Visit this link for more details, pictures, attractions, towns and cities and more!

Discover all 50 states at http://www.vacation2usa.com

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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

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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.

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The first Europeans to reach Iowa were the French explorers, Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette in 1673. They recorded in their journals that the land was lush, green and fertile.

The United States gained control of the area from France in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. The first official American settlement began in 1833, and statehood was achieved in 1846.

During the American Civil War (1861 to 1865), Iowa contributed greatly to the Union war effort, including more 60% of its eligible males serving (the highest proportion of any state).

Iowa was a popular destination for immigrants, and the state encouraged immigration with a booklet printed in 1869 in English, German, Dutch, Swedish and Danish. Additionally, immigrants also arrived, particularly in coal mining areas from Italy and Croatia, and beginning in the 1880s, a significant number of African-Americans moved to the state, also to work in the mining industry. The coming of the railroads, also helped to encourage immigration, and, eventually, the establishment of the beginnings of a manufacturing sector.

World War One brought a brief agricultural boom to the state, but the 1920s and 1930s were a time of hardship after the elimination of the wartime agricultural subsidies. The state did not in fact fully recover until the 1940s.

After World War Two, Iowa’s business and manufacturing sectors have continued to grow, and the state now produces a wide variety of manufactured products, as well the agricultural goods for which it is most famous.

First published at http://www.vacation2usa.com/p1_state_iowa_history.php

For more information about Iowa, please visit http://www.vacation2usa.com/p1_state_iowa.php

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