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Off the Beaten Path in Des Moines
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Des Moines Off the Beaten Path

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Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Des Moines attractions, posted by real travelers and locals.
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BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
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  • Grab a camera and head west out I-80 to
    Winterset. Turn south and the signs will point you to the various covered bridges seen in the movie with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. It is relaxing out there and seldom overcrowded.

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    Blank Park Zoo is a nice...
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  • Blank Park Zoo is a nice little zoo. It is closed all Winter so don't plan to visit after October. It is a nice zoo but it is not very big.

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    Inside the dome for the Des...
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  • Inside the dome for the Des Moines Botanical Garden. There are all kinds of plants and even a few birds and fish.

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    Statue we saw at the...
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  • Statue we saw at the fairgrounds in Des Moines. We were there long after the fair was over. I like going to fairs.

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    Believe it or not but many...
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  • Believe it or not but many people would consider the downtown area of Des Moines off the beaten path because there is little tourism there. However I enjoy Iowa's largest Downtown. Des Moines has a great skywalk system that wanders through most of the buildings and in the system you can find resturaunts, shops and even a few bars. However most people using the system are businesspeople.
    p.s. It can become extremly crowded durring the Highschool wrestling and basketball tournament time, sometime in march I believe.

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    One thing that most people...
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  • One thing that most people might miss is the Salisbury Faire. One reason it might get missed is because it is only on for one weekend out of the year. For locals, though, it is a definite must-see. The Salisbury Faire is the Des Moines version of a Renaissance Faire or Festival. It held to raise money to benefit the restoration of the Salisbury House. To see some pics of my visit this year, see my travelogue. Vsit their web site at http://www.salisburyhouse.org for more information.

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    Take a walk through waterworks...
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  • Take a walk through waterworks park... magnificent parkland with lazy waterways. Turn into the park from Fleur Avenue.

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    It's Fluer Dr, not to be confused with Fluer Ave
    It's Fluer Drive where you will find the airport, zoo, and waterworks park; not to be confused with Fluer Ave located on the east side.
    =)

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    Chichaqua Bottoms
    Chichaqua Bottoms is a natural area about 20 miles north of Des Moines. The Skunk River runs through many acres of woodland with scattered ponds. There's a campground and the DNR sponsors different events like 'Catching Croakers', and the 'Freeskinner's Encampment'. Canoe rentals are also available.

    I couldn't fit the entire websit URL in the box provided, so here it is:

    http://www.traveliowa.com/thingstodo/public_camps/central/bondurant/177/

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  • Phone: 515-967-2596
  • Website: http://www.traveliowa.com
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    The Des Moines Menace
    Des Moines Menace.

    Our local soccer team competes in the Premier Development League and is currently undefeated. There are special events at many of the games geared specifically toward kids, and the players hang out after the game to sign autographs.

    Contact Information Follows:

    By e-mail: info@menacesoccer.com
    By phone: 515.226.9890
    By fax: 515.226.1595
    By mail: 6400 Westown Parkway
    West Des Moines, IA 50266

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  • Phone: 515.226.9890
  • Website: http://www.menacesoccer.com
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    More Des Moines Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 4
    Things To Do
    Tips: 42 - Photos: 38
    Nightlife
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 4
    Transportation
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 1
    Restaurants
    Tips: 36 - Photos: 10
    Shopping
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 19 - Photos: 15
    Tourist Traps
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    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 2
    Local Customs
    Tips: 4 - Photos: 6
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 2
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
    General Tips
    Tips: 18 - Photos: 13
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0

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