Des Moines Travel Guide, Iowa

Des Moines City is considered the biggest and busiest city in the Iowa state. It is located in the middle of two great rivers, Missouri River and Mississippi River. Being the capital of Iowa, it serves as the central hub for governance, business and even the arts and cultural activities. Approximately 200,000 in population, this prime city continuously offers friendly and caring neighborhoods.

Des Moines is one of the cities that are best to live in. It offers affordable housing, superior schools, and diverse populace. 

The origin of a name 

The city was called Fort Des Moines in 1843 before it actually became Des Moines City in 1857, dropping the “Fort” from its original name. The Fox and the Sauk people were the first inhabitants of the area. The name of the city, Des Moines does not in any way sound American. Actually, it was once a source of controversy and speculations as to where it came from.   It was believed that it was probably taken from French, an Algonquian river name - Moingona.  Or it may have derived from another French word de moyen which means “middle”, because the city of Des Moines lies in between two great rivers, the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.Perhaps the Des Moines City was named after moines de la Trappe, Trappinst monks who once inhabited the Des Moines River. 

The City of Des Moines’ is dominantly a farming state although during the early 1900’s its coal business grew rapidly. Aside from this, it is also the state’s major retailing and manufacturing hub for tires and farming equipments. Insurance is also a major business in this city. Des Moines also vouch for the good schools and universities such as:  Drake University,   Grand View College,   Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center,   AIB College of Business 

Go on an adventure.

Visit key places in the city to know more about its wonderful history as well its people.  

 The Capitol - The city’s seat of governance, it is a historical place to visit. It has a Greek revival design spanning 165 acres in area.

Iowa Historical Building  - It is a museum containing facts about the city’s rich past as well as it served as the depository of the states archives.

Civic Center - This is the home of Des Moines City’s ballet company and symphony orchestra.

The Des Moines Arts Center - The site where you can find 19th and 20th centuries paintings.

Iowa State Fair Grounds with Heritage Village - where you can find farm equipments from way back as well as replicas of early buildings of the city.

The Science Center of Iowa - Aside from scientific artifacts displays, it also has a planetarium. There are also several Victorian-styled buildings and homes that offer tours to tourists and visitors. The modern times had come, but this city surely did not forget where it started. Their children and the coming generations will still know the rich past of this great city from these historical places.  

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