Central Region

DESTINATIONS • DINING & LODGING • TOUR SERVICES

Attractions/Events

American Gothic House Center

641-652-3352 www.wapellocounty.org/americangothic

Come see the house that started it all and strike your own American Gothic pose in front of the place in Eldon, Iowa made famous by Iowan Grant Wood. Costumes and pitch fork available.

Blank Park Zoo

515-974-2504 www.blankparkzoo.com

The Blank Park Zoo offers several exciting opportunities for groups. Enjoy a delicious meal overlooking a lush rainforest, experience a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes with a lion or participate in a unique tour that includes observing over a dozen exotic birds.

Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum

515-432-4249 / 800-626-0319 www.scenic-valleyrr.com

Take a 1 3/4 hour ride (2 hour dinner train) across two great bridges to the bottom of the scenic Des Moines River Valley. Operating daily Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Other special trains as announced on our website.

Civic Center Greater Des Moines

515-246-2321 www.civiccenter.org

Des Moines Botanical Center

515-323-6291 www.botanicalcenter.com

The Des Moines Botanical Center is blooming with thousands of flowers and many ways you can enjoy them! Easy access to I-235, ample free parking and handicapped accessibility combined with the spectacular floral setting to make the Botanical Center one of the most popular places to visit in the Metro Area.

Iowa State Fair

515-262-3111 / 800-545-3247 www.iowastatefair.org

The Iowa State Fair, the inspiration for the novel “State Fair”, three motion pictures and a Broadway musical, is the country’s most famous state fair. Included in the New York Times bestseller, “1,000 Places to see Before you Die,” and designated a 2009 and 2010 ABA Top 100 Event. Special offers available for groups. Join us for “Non Stop Fun” August 12-22, 2010.

John Wayne Birthplace Society

515-462-1044 / 877-462-1044 www.johnwaynebirthplace.org

The Birthplace of John Wayne in Winterset, IA is open all year except for major holidays at 216 S. 2nd St. Guided tours are given daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm..

Living History Farms

515-278-5286 www.livinghistoryfarms.org

Experience 300 years of agricultural history at Living History Farms. Travel at your own pace through three historic working farms and visit an 1875 town. Group tour rates available. Open May – October. Visit website for special events.

Matchstick Marvels & Gladbrook Theater

641-473-2410 / 888-473-3456 www.gladbrookiowa.com

Matchstick Marvels features fifteen of artist Patrick Acton's incredible detailed models made of ordinary wooden matchsticks. Ripley's Believe It or Not museums feature Acton's matchstick work all around the world. Gladbrook Theater shows current movies for just $1 admission.

Meskwaki Bingo/Casino Hotel

641-484-1472 / 800-728-4263 www.meskwaki.com

24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year of fun all under one roof! Slots, table games, racebook, bingo, keno and more. Our food venues offer everything from sumptuous steaks and seafood to coffee and pie, alcoholic beverages are now available. We have a convention center meeting area with custom prepared menus. Over 400 hotel rooms and suites, exercise room, pool and valet. Our Winding Stream Spa will ease your mind and body. Accessible to persons with disabilities.

National Balloon Museum

515-961-3714 / 515-961-8144 www.nationalballoonmuseum.com

National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum

641-842-6176 www.sprintcarhof.com

Pella Historical Society

641-628-4311 www.pellatuliptime.com

Pella Historical Village and the Vermeer Mill are a touch of Holland in the Midwest. The Village is a collection of buildings and artifacts from the early Dutch settlers of 1850 to early 20th century. The Mill is the tallest working windmill in the United States. The flower gardens are spectacular with 1000’s of tulips in the Spring and beds full of annuals in the Summer and Fall.

Pella Opera House

641-628-8625 www.pellaoperahouse.org

Providing the largest institution for the arts in Marion County and a key anchor to touring schedules of artists. Please visit website for current performances and events.

Reiman Gardens

515-294-2710 www.reimangardens.com

Reiman Gardens is a beautiful 14-acre display garden with an indoor butterfly house with hundreds of live, exotic butterflies, a 5,000 square foot tropical conservatory that is changed seasonally, and a gift shop. Group tours are available. Open daily, year-round.

Salisbury House & Gardens

515-274-1777 www.salisburyhouse.org

Salisbury House is a 42 room mansion and museum modeled after King's House in Salisbury, England. Built in the 1920s by Iowans Carl and Edith Weeks, this historic home is filled with an unusual and rare collection of antiques, art, furnishings and rare books.

Surf Ballroom & Museum

641-357-6151 www.surfballroom.com

The final concert site of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, the Surf is one of the few remaining Midwest ballrooms still in operation today. Open year round M-F, 8am-4pm with guided tours for groups of 30 or more available for a nominal fee.

Tassel Ridge Winery

641-673-5000 www.tasselridge.com

Tassel Ridge Winery provides tours, wine tasting, and gift shop, everything from grapes growing to wine making can be seen. Easy to find, located southeast of Des Moines, located between Pella and Oskaloosa on the south side of Highway 163.