Iowa State Capitol

Century-old building features 275-foot gold-leafed dome flanked by four smaller domes, grand staircase and beautiful woodwork. See legislative and old Supreme Court chambers, Governor's office, five-story law library, scale model of Battleship Iowa, collection of first-lady dolls. Tours last 60

Des Moines Art Center Downtown

An extension of the world-renowned Des Moines Art Center in an energetic urban museum space, featuring three or four exciting and fresh exhibitions each year. Museum shop offers unique gifts, jewelry, cards and books.

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

Wallace House

Restored Italianate Victorian was home of the first Henry Wallace -- national leader in agriculture and conservation, and editor of Wallaces' Farmer. Exhibits include "Uncle Henry's Des Moines, 1880-1920", the Wallace era of Wallaces'