Anyone Live in Iowa?

I was actually in Des Moines, Iowa for the summer of 2005 for my internship at John Deere, and I hate to tell you...but there is not a whole lot to do. Sorry...

Take your floaties and a canoe.... hopefully the water levels have receded.

I'm from Iowa... cow-tipping is a myth... there's no way a human can push over a 1500lb animal... and even if a group of people tried it, the cow is going to wake up before they can do it... and there's one thing you don't want to piss off--- and it's a cow or bull. They move a lot faster than you think!

First, for water fun--- head to Saylorville lake.... not sure what the water levels are up there right now.... the lakes and rivers between Des Moines and the Illinois border have been flooded for the last several weeks. (and by flooded, I mean, picture New Orleans after Katrina, and this is what it's been like.) So I'm not sure if the lakes are open yet or not....

There's a small indoor aboretum right off the interstate, just east of downtown... beautiful flowers and blooms in there.... they also have a pretty decent modern art museum, if I remember correctly.... I haven't visited it in about 10 years, but at the time, their photography display was good. There's also an amusement park (Adventureland) and a horse racing track & casino in Altoona...

To the southeast of Des Moines, is Pella---- a dutch community that is kinda cool to experience. (windmills, traditional dutch heritage, etc...)

Be prepared for down-to-earth friendliness.... "fear" of people/things is not a common attitude up there---- it's the kind of place where people will wave as you drive past (in small communities), and they'll stop to chat and help you.

If you like history, the capitol building is a cool piece of architecture.... complete with real gold gilding and dome...

If you like nature... drive outside of the city after dark... just to see the open skies.... you'll see the milky way, and stars that city people can't even believe exist anymore.

It's not flat like most people think.... it's actually rolling hill country... with traditional working farms... and in the countryside, it's really beautiful and just peaceful.

Also, about an hour south of DM on 35S, is Madison County. Remember the movie "The Bridges of Madison County"? It was filmed there, and that is a really beautiful part of the state.... gorgeous rolling hillside, 100-150 year old covered bridges, golden sunsets that can only be experienced in the countryside (where city pollution and light pollution don't exist)....

Let me know if you have any questions.... just be prepared for life to slow down while you're there. It's actually a nice feeling for a change.

Oh yea, the timeframe you'll be there is during the state fair. Definitely check it out if you can. Always fun. My brother's band was always the opening act for bands like Cheap Trick, Huey Lewis, etc... it was a lot of fun.

I think they have a Blues Festival right around that time of year also. But, again, not sure how much stuff is available because of the floods this year. DM was on the far edge of the flood range, so their downtown area might now be that damaged. Places like Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, where my family is located--- those will take a couple years to rebuild from the damage...

I just moved from Des Moines last week! I second all of the things that MikkiStreak said about the Des Moines area. You should really check out the state fair...it's a really big deal and there's tons to do there.

Also, if you want to go for a nice, peaceful walk (and if the area is open and isn't under water still), you should go to Gray's lake. There's a nice 2 mile long walk around the lake. It's normally a lot prettier but the floods killed a lot of the plants around that area.

If you want to go shopping, movie theater or go out to eat, you should go to Jordan Creek Mall which is in West Des Moines (that's actually the name of the city).

Billy Joes Picture Show is a fun theater where you can eat while you watch a movie. billyjoes.com is the website I think.

If you are taking a bike, there are tons of bike trails in the area and around downtown.

My FI and I are from Texas but moved to Des Moines for me to go to school and we LOVE IT! It's taking all of the nice things out of Texas minus the heat and driving distances and adding the snow. It has the conveniences of a big city and nice people without the traffic. You can PM me if you have any more questions. I hope you enjoy your time there!

Seriously....I have NEVER been cow tipping, so funny that's all people think there is to do here LOL! I live by Des Moines, and there is TONS of stuff to do there!! There is a brand new shopping center Jordan Creek TownCenter with so many awesome stores (my faves Coach, White House Black Market, just to name a couple) There are tons of great steak houses and restaurants, a Prairie Meadows Casino is not to far away.....seriously it's like any other city only a little smaller! But trust me there is more to do than bowl and cow tip LOL

Betsy! Are we the only Iowa girls active on the forum? What town do you live it? I live in Newton but work in downtown Des Moines.

Pst.. what do these people know, there is always trouble to get into in Iowa! LOL

I know, I have rarely seen any Iowa brides on here!! WOW we are super close - so do you drive to DSM every day for work? YUCK esp in the winter! Do you go on 163? I hate driving in the winter which is so crazy b/c I grew up in Northern IA where it snows way more!! I would love to work in DSM if I didn't have to drive in snow LOL!! Did you grow up in Newton?

I-80 to work everyday- not so bad really. I would so move to somewhere warm if I could. The snow/cold here is getting really old fast! I have fantasies every day of winter of Florida, Georgia, Mexico....

By the way, planning a wedding in Mexico while living in an Iowa winter is very depressing! lol

I just moved to Des Moines area the end of December! From.... North Dakota, haha...so I may sound crazy, but I'll take the weather here anyday! Good to see there's a couple others around the area though!!