Des Moines (pronounced /dɪˈmɔɪn/ in English, [demwan] in French) is the capital of and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857.^[3] It is named after the Des Moines River, adapted from the French Rivière Des Moines, literally meaning "River of the Monks". The five-county metropolitan area is ranked 92nd in terms of population in the United States according to 2006 estimates with 534,230 residents according to United States Census Bureau.^[4] The city proper population was 198,682 at the 2000 census.

Des Moines is a major center for the insurance industry and also has a sizeable financial services and publishing business base. In fact, Des Moines was credited with the "number one spot for U.S. insurance companies" in a Business Wire article. The city is the headquarters for the Principal Financial Group, the Meredith Corporation, Ruan Transportation, and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Other major corporations such as Wells Fargo, ING Group, Marsh, and Pioneer Hi-Bred have large operations in or near the metro area. Forbes Magazine ranked Des Moines as the fourth "Best Place for Business" in 2007.^[5] Des Moines was named the 'hippest city in the USA' in a 2003 article in Fast Company Magazine^[6]

Des Moines has recently been experiencing rapid growth in the western, northern, and southern suburbs, which include Waukee, Ankeny, Norwalk, West Des Moines, Urbandale, and Grimes. All other suburbs, besides Windsor Heights, have experienced rapid growth - making the Greater Des Moines Metropolitan Area one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Downtown Des Moines also has been undergoing rapid development and revitalization as well, with many new restaurants, clubs, boutiques, and businesses opening downtown.

Des Moines is an important city in presidential politics as the capital of Iowa, which is home to the Iowa Caucus. The Iowa Caucus has been the first major electoral event in nominating the President of the United States since 1972; therefore many presidential candidates set up headquarters in Des Moines. A 2007 article in the New York Times stated "if you have any desire to witness presidential candidates in the most close-up and intimate of settings, there is arguably no better place to go than Des Moines." The article also added "I'm not sure I would go so far as to say that Des Moines has become a vacation destination. But it most certainly has become cool."

The city of Des Moines was listed as one of the top four places to 'ring in the new year' in 2008 according to Men's Journal magazine.

Interstate 235 cuts through the city, and Interstate 35 and Interstate 80 both pass through the Des Moines metropolitan area. Iowa Highway 5 and US-69 form a southeastern beltway which bypasses most metropolitan traffic through the southern suburbs.

Des Moines Area Attractions

• Art Center

  4700 Grand Avenue
  Des Moines, Iowa 50312-2099
  
  Telephone: 515.277.4405
  Web Site: www.desmoinesartcenter.org

  Fine art collection and educational programs.

• Arts Festival

  700 Locust St, Ste. 100
  Des Moines, IA 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.286.4927
  Web Site: www.desmoinesartsfestival.org

  Annual free, three-day celebration on the downtown riverfront.

• Adventureland Park

  305 34th Ave NW
  Altoona, IA 50009
  
  Telephone: 515.266.2121
  Web Site: www.adventurelandpark.com

  Amusement Park

• Blank Park Zoo

  7401 SW 9th Street
  Des Moines, IA 50315
  
  Telephone: 515.323.8383
  Web Site: www.blankparkzoo.com

  Conveniently located just south of Army Post Road on S.W. 9th Street.

• Botanical Center

  909 Robert D. Ray Drive
  Des Moines, IA 50316
  
  Telephone: 515.323.6290
  Web Site: www.botanicalcenter.com

  Year-round plants and flowers from around the world.

• Civic Center

  221 Walnut St.
  Des Moines, IA 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.243.0766
  Web Site: www.civiccenter.org

  Ballet, symphony, and many shows and concerts.

• Des Moines Astronomical Society

  P.O. Box 111
  Des Moines, IA 50301
  
  Telephone: 515.243.0766
  Web Site: www.dmasonline.org

  The Des Moines Astronomical Society Inc. was founded in 1970 as a means to foster interest and education about astronomy.

• Des Moines Buccaneers Hockey

  7201 Hickman Rd.
  Urbandale, IA 50322
  
  Telephone: 515.278.9757
  Web Site: www.bucshockey.com

  Des Moines Buccaneers USHL Tier 1 Hockey - 2006 National Champions

• Des Moines Menace Soccer

  6400 Westown Parkway
  West Des Moines, IA 50266
  
  Telephone: 515.226.9890
  Web Site: www.menacesoccer.com

  The premier soccer club in the state of Iowa - 2005 PDL Champions.

• Des Moines Playhouse

  831 42nd Street
  Des Moines, IA 50312
  
  Telephone: 515.255.3741
  Web Site: www.dmplayhouse.com

  There's Always something going on at The Playhouse: performances, classes, trips to New York... all at your source for theatre, The Des Moines Playhouse.

• Downtown Farmers´ Market

  Historic Court Avenue District
  Downtown Des Moines
  
  Telephone: 515.286.4981
  Web Site: www.desmoinesfarmersmarket.com

  A Saturday morning spectacular, the Des Moines Farmers Market brings fruits, vegetables, breads, cheeses and wine, hand-crafted apparel, together with music, magic and more.

• Fort Des Moines Museum

  75 East Army Post Road
  Des Moines, Iowa 50315
  
  Telephone: 515.282.8060
  Web Site: www.fortdesmoines.org

  Site of first Women's Auxiliary Corps and the first black officers training center.

• Historical Museum

  600 East Locust
  Des Moines, Iowa 50319
  
  Telephone: 515.281.5111
  Web Site: www.iowahistory.org

  Iowa's history - preserved.

• Hoyt Sherman Place

  1501 Woodland Ave.
  Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.244.0507
  Web Site: www.hoytsherman.org

  Built in 1877, houses fine art collection and theater.

• Iowa Cubs Baseball

  Principal Park
  Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.243.6111
  Web Site: www.iowacubs.com

  The Iowa Cubs are a Class AAA minor league baseball team.

• Iowa Events Center (Hy-Vee Hall - Wells Fargo Arena)

  730 Third Street
  Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.564.8000
  Web Site: www.iowaeventscenter.com

  Located along the banks of the Des Moines River, the Iowa Events Center is a four-venue, multi-purpose sports, entertainment, convention and expo complex all under one inter-connected roof!

• Iowa Hall of Pride

  330 Park Street
  Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.280.8969
  Web Site: www.iowahallofpride.com

  Hours of family fun await you at the brand new Iowa Hall of Pride. Full of interactive technology, the Iowa Hall of Pride will amaze, entertain, and educate you and your family!

• Iowa State Fair

  E 30th St and E University Ave
  Des Moines, Iowa 50317
  
  Telephone: 515.262.3111
  Web Site: www.iowastatefair.com

  The internationally-acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country.

• Iowa Stars Hockey

  833 5th Avenue
  Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.237.8277
  Web Site: www.iowastarshockey.com

   

• Living History Farms

  2600 111th St.
  Urbandale, Iowa, 50322
  
  Telephone: 515.278.5286
  Web Site: www.lhf.org

  Living History Farms features some of the best hands-on, educational activities in the nation- more than 400 different games, chores, and projects during June, July, and August.

• Polk County Heritage Gallery

  111 Court Avenue
  Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.282.2242
  Web Site: www.heritagegallery.org

  The mission of the Heritage Gallery is to provide a multi-use exhibition space for artistic and historical exhibits.

• Prairie Meadows

  1 Prairie Meadows Dr.
  Altoona, IA 50009
  
  Telephone: 515.967.1000
  Web Site: www.prairiemeadows.com

  Slots, horse racing and other entertainment.

• Public Library of Des Moines

  1000 Grand
  Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.283.4152
  Web Site: www.pldminfo.org

  The Des Moines Public Library offers books, periodicals, government documents, audiovisual materials and electronic media, along with a multitude of programs and services.

• Salisbury House

  4025 Tonawanda Drive
  Des Moines, Iowa 50312
  
  Telephone: 515.274.1777
  Web Site: www.salisburyhouse.org

  Limited tours of 42 room English Tudor mansion.

• Science Center

  401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
  Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.274.6868
  Web Site: www.sciowa.org

  Live demonstrations and hands-on exhibits.

• Sleepy Hollow Sports Park

  4051 Dean Avenue
  Des Moines, Iowa 50317
  
  Telephone: 515.262.4100
  Web Site: www.sleepyhollowsportspark.com

  Year round outdoor sports park.

• State Capitol

  East 12th & Grand
  Des Moines, Iowa 50319
  
  Telephone: 515.281.5591
  Web Site: www.legis.state.ia.us

  Built in 1886, many displays throughout the building.

• Terrace Hill

  2300 Grand Avenue
  Des Moines, Iowa 50312
  
  Telephone: 515.281.3604
  Web Site: www.terracehill.org

  Built in 1869, now the governor's mansion, tours available.

• Veterans Memorial Auditorium

  833 Fifth Avenue
  Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.564.8000
  Web Site: www.iowaeventscenter.com

  "Vets" has become a part of Iowa's history, playing host to everyone from leading entertainers to future Presidents to high school athletes seeking state titles.

• Wallace House

  756 16th Street
  Des Moines, Iowa 50314
  
  Telephone: 515.243.7063
  Web Site: www.wallace.org

  Restored 1870's Victorian home.

• Wells Fargo Arena

  730 Third Street
  Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  
  Telephone: 515.564.8000
  Web Site: www.iowaeventscenter.com

  The new, state-of-the-art arena holds up to 17,000 guests for sports and entertainment events, and is a venue unlike any other in the Midwest.