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