| With films like "The Bridges of Madison | | | | Once in the city, I couldn't pass up the |
| County," "The Field of Dreams," and even | | | | chance to do a little more gallery hopping in |
| "Sleeping with the Enemy," Iowa has been | | | | Central Iowa. So I spent the afternoon |
| romanticized by Hollywood time and again. But | | | | bouncing from one amazing place to the next. |
| the real Iowa is much more than the backdrop | | | | Some stops on my list included: |
| in a blockbuster movie - it's charming and | | | | |
| exciting - and it makes for a great weekend | | | | • The Des Moines Art Center |
| road trip! | | | | |
| | | | • Gortz Haus Gallery |
| If you'd like to experience Des Moines and | | | | |
| Central Iowa for yourself, take a page from | | | | • Hoyt Sherman Place |
| my travel journal and discover the charms of | | | | |
| this place that's both steeped in Americana | | | | • Kavanaugh Art Gallery |
| and uniquely cosmopolitan. | | | | |
| | | | • Olson-Larsen Galleries |
| Friday night: | | | | |
| | | | After a day of exploring the best arts scene |
| Rolling down the windows and opening the | | | | in the state, I had finally had my fill (and |
| sunroof of my Buick Lucerne, I hit the road! | | | | a few stunning purchases I was able to fit |
| | | | into the trunk of my Buick). So I checked |
| My first stop… First Fridays Artwalk in | | | | into my room at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, |
| Fairfeld. This monthly Central Iowa event | | | | then headed down to the Forty Three for a |
| draws crowds from all over the Midwest - and | | | | cocktail and some fantastic French brasserie |
| with dozens of galleries representing many | | | | fare. |
| untold artists, plus musicians playing gigs | | | | |
| throughout downtown - it's the perfect place | | | | Fuled up and ready to go, the night was spent |
| to start the weekend. | | | | chatting with friends new and old at Star |
| | | | Bar, and listening to the best Blues in the |
| After the evening wound down, I hopped back | | | | city until the early morning hours at Blues |
| in my Buick and headed to Ottumwa (on the way | | | | on Grand. |
| to Des Moines), where I stopped for the night | | | | |
| at a charming bed and breakfast. | | | | Sunday: A few strong cups of coffee and a |
| | | | truly superb chocolate croissant at Gateway |
| Saturday: After wandering around downtown and | | | | Market later, I bade Des Moines and the rest |
| grabbing a bite to eat at the world-famous | | | | of Central Iowa farewell and hit the highway |
| Canteen in the Alley restaurant (where | | | | once again. |
| Richard Nixon and a host of other celebrities | | | | |
| and politicians have noshed on delicious | | | | Even if art isn't your thing, Central Iowa |
| loose-meat sandwiches), I drove my Buick down | | | | (and Des Moines in particular) are worth your |
| the meandering roads from Ottumwa to Des | | | | time. There's so much happening - from clubs |
| Moines. | | | | to sports, art to music - in Iowa, there |
| | | | really is something for everyone. |