Discover the Vibrant and Quirky Cultural Gems of Des Moines, IA

Des Moines, Iowas capital city, is often overlooked as a cultural destination in favor of larger cities like Chicago or Minneapolis. However, this hidden gem has plenty to offer visitors who are interested in experiencing Midwestern charm with a dose of quirkiness. From offbeat galleries to historic theaters, Des Moines is filled with cultural sites that reveal the friendly and artistic nature of its people.

One mustvisit location is the Des Moines Art Center (4700 Grand Ave), which features an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art. The center boasts works by masters such as Edward Hopper and Georgia OKeeffe alongside local artists like John Bloom. Additionally, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park (1330 Grand Ave) offers visitors a unique outdoor experience featuring largescale sculptures from renowned artists like Louise Bourgeois and Claes Oldenburg.

For theater lovers, the Des Moines Civic Center (221 Walnut St) hosts national tours of Broadway productions while also showcasing local talent through community theater performances. Alternatively, Hoyt Sherman Place (1501 Woodland Ave) provides an opportunity for visitors to see shows in a historic venue that dates back to 1877.

Visitors looking for something truly quirky should check out Raygun (505 E Grand Ave), a store known for its humorous tshirts celebrating Midwest culture and politics. Another lesserknown spot worth exploring is Smokey Row Coffee Co. (1910 Cottage Grove), where customers can indulge in coffee roasted onsite while admiring rotating art exhibitions.

Despite being often overshadowed by other Midwestern cities, Des Moines proves itself to be vibrant and diverse when it comes to arts and culture scene making it well worth checking out on your next trip through Iowa.

Websites:

https://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/

http://www.ppsculpturepark.org/

https://www.dmpa.org/venues/desmoinesciviccenter

https://hoytsherman.org/

https://www.raygunsite.com/

http://smokeyrow.com/

Twitter:

@DesMoinesArtCtr, @PPSculpturePark, @DesMoinCivicCtr, @HoytShermanOrg