Des Moines, Iowa

Basilica of St. John

Designated a basilica in 1989. Northern Italian/Lombardy Romanesque style, with gold-leaf coffered ceilings and 46 stained-glass windows, including a 15-foot Munich rose window. Ornate plaster and travertine marble interior.

Des Moines Symphony

Fort Des Moines Memorial Park and Education Center

America's largest memorial to black and female soldiers. A 4.6-acre memorial park includes 20,000 sq. ft. museum and historic chapel.

Iowa Events Center

Wells Fargo Arena, Hy-Vee Hall, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Polk County Convention Complex. Concerts, tournaments and special events throughout the year. Home of the new Iowa Stars hockey team, the top-level affiliate of the NHL's Dallas Stars.

Salisbury House

This 42-room mansion was modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England. Built in the 1920s by the Weeks family, the home contains authentic 16th century English oak, extensive flintwork and rafters dating to Shakespeare'