Timeline
11:39
Climb the 298 steps to the top of the Capitol dome for a bird's eye view of the city while the morning light is crisp and the building is open.
12:39
Grab a quick taco at this local fast food joint nearby. It is open early enough for a post-tour snack and rivals the taste of sit-down places.
13:39
Stroll through the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. This urban revitalization centerpiece showcases over $40 million in public art and is just a short walk from the Capitol.
16:39
Return to the Capitol grounds to watch the golden light hit the 23-karat gold leaf dome as the sun sets toward the WSW.
17:39
End the evening with a creative burger and milkshake at this popular local burger joint. The undead theme decor adds a fun touch after a day of history.
Local tip
The Capitol is closed on Sundays, so plan for a weekday or Saturday. The climb to the dome is steep, so wear comfortable shoes.
Check before you go
- Capitol Building hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-16:45; Sat 08:00-15:45; Sun closed.
- Zombie Burger is open until 24:00 on weekdays and 02:00 on weekends.
Worth knowing
- Tasty Tacos is open at 12:39 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Des Moines (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).