If you want to be remembered or leave a legacy, support the work of this museum. They need more…read morespace for exhibitions, a proper store for merchandising, climate-controlled space, in an extraordinary building. Surely, those whose families have built and sustained this community can come forth and donate the resources to make this the kind of place residents can be proud of. Currently housed in the Ames Cultural District next to an historic landmark and across the street from the Octagon Center for the arts, this wonderful museum is packed with historical items waiting to be displayed, used for research and exhibits worthy of this fine city. They need more volunteers, donors, members, and storage in order to stage the kind of exhibits that do justice to those who grew up here, studied here, and conducted business here. New exhibits on the craft beer industry and education are currently in process. How do you want to be remembered?

A long time in the making, the Ames Historical society has worked hard to assemble the history of…read morethe city. The pictures and story are presented in a very compelling way. Stop in and enjoy!

I was a here 30 years ago, so much has changed in that time. They have gotten better with age…read more We drove up from the St. Louis area for the Valentine's Day dinner train. It is a throwback to earlier times being able to have a nice meal on vintage railway equipment. My wife enjoyed the shrimp and linguine and I had beef with noodles. Both were very good. The ride itself winds its way along the river and over a couple of bridges. The stop and allow everyone to go to the observation car to enjoy the view from the High Bridge. Dinner is a leisurely affair so that you can enjoy each others company while the scenery slides by. Because it was February, the sun sets early and the ride home was in darkness, the have lights on the exterior of the cars that illuminate the right of way as you head back to the station. I am glad that my wife knows how much I enjoy riding the rails, and indulges me with great times like this.

We had tickets for an open car on what turned out to be a hot day. The crew offered us to seat in a…read morecar with shade. The railroad is the main attraction. The view is ok with a couple of highlights. We originally wanted to be on the pedaled carts but they were sold out. They certainly looked like fun. A good attraction for kids and seniors.

Want to learn more about this amazing state? Then plan your trip to take a tour of the exhibits at…read morethe Historical Building. Conveniently located near a free parking ramp and the State Capitol building (while you're at it, take a tour there too!). This building also hosts events. I have attended a roof top wedding reception and a day long symposium is the auditorium.

There are an excellent array of exhibits here! Ranging from early Iowa settler history, to civil…read morerights war, and everything in between until present day! It's free, and there's a good amount of info in short blurbs so it's all easy to read. There's interactive exhibits and it's all very clean. Definitely check this out to learn a lot about Iowa and US history in the context of Iowa. It's very kid friendly as well.

Great value for anyone interested in aviation. There is an impressive amount of information on…read moreIowans in aviation from the early days at the turn of the 20th century to the present. There is a hangar with a number of vintage aircraft and information around 'famous plane crashes' that have taken place in the state. There is an Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame and library in the back of the hangar with racks of books, reference materials, and videos for perusal or research. This is a very quiet and quaint operation - don't expect anything too grand...but you will find a great deal of information with 'Iowa nice' treatment at a bargain price.

This is definitely a worthwhile stop for those of you who are interested in aviation. A little bit…read moreoff the beaten path and probably not Visited or recognized as much as it should be. The people who have put this together have done an amazing job. Five dollars fee for children $10 fee for adults free for members. Take the time, it's a beautiful place And definitely a tribute to those who have helped create aviation history but also those who have worked so hard to become the aviators.

If you're a John Wayne fan this is a must see. So much information and many artifacts. The staff…read morewas amazing! Jill, Frances and Noah could not Jane been more accommodating if they'd have wanted to be. I'm so glad my sisters stopped in on our way back to Texas on June 21. Take a look around town while in Winterset. You won't regret either.

This Museum was very nice filled with John Wayne memorabilia and artifacts. The John Wayne statue…read moreright outside the museum and birth house of John Wayne around the corner within a short walking distance. Great place to visit and take some pictures or video. There is a $20 ticket fee.

I went to the Gold Star Military Museum and had a wonderful experience with my group. They start…read morewith a short introduction presentation on the history of Camp Dodge and the significance in Iowa. They then let you roam through the exhibits, giving tidbits of information and are around to answer questions as they come up. I was impressed with the quantity and quality of items they had on display for each war Iowa has been involved in. They also have many of the large vehicles, tanks, and aircrafts outside to drive past or walk around. Highly recommend to all Iowans!

This is a beautiful base to live near. There is a museum on base that you can visit. There used to…read morebe a gigantic Olympic pool years ago. Now over the top of the pool is a beautiful outdoor gala and set up for different activities. One in particular is during the summer they host free concert nights. Open to the public, free, and perfect way to enjoy the nice summer evenings and get to mingle with people who live or visit the base. There is a small chapel and the other area that is open to rent for weddings, parties or what have you.

A really nice cultural experience in the heart of Des Moines. The series of buildings includes the…read moreonly I M Pei design (same architect of the glass pyramid in the heart of the Paris Louvre). Iowa the Des Moines Art Center is a nice way to spend a few hours. Complementary admission and free parking is an added bonus and a fantastic value. And impressive selection of old world and modern art, including some more well-known artists such as Picasso, Goya, Cezanne, Miro, Lichtenstein, and an impressive selection of newer artists that definitely leave a lasting impression. I recommend that you stop, and even if only to see a few of the artists and a little bit of the architecture. Great gift shop too!

Spent an afternoon with artists Picasso, Hopper, Warhol, Matisse, Miro, Chagall, Klee, Monet, and…read moreothers...at the fabulous Des Moines Art Center! I did not expect to see some of the world's greatest artists in Des Moines. Instead, it was an elite venue at an incredible price point. Located in Ingersoll Park, 20 minutes from Ankeny and 10 minutes from the State Capitol, the Art Center is a must-see, beautiful venue with spectacular works, considerable spaces, and gorgeous grounds. Amazingly, it is free. Loved the Samantha Box "Caribbean Dreams" exhibit, a fantastic collection of photography and art. I also loved works by Stella ("Interlagos"), Kiefer ("untitled"), Francis ("Summer #2"), and Schnabel. We also liked the postcard exhibit. The building has an awesome vibe and incredible visuals throughout its spectacular architecture. There is a great gift shop and discounted items near the entrance. Sensational guidance and kindness from the museum's docents, notably Loretta, Issac, and Gabby.

Always a fun experience m, especially for kiddos. (Note they have a fantastic summer day camp). Put…read moreon your walking shoes because there is a lot of walking, but overall it's a fun experience.

Went to the 1900 Farm Historic Dinner at Living History Farms last night. What a wonderful way to…read morespend an evening, experience some history and have a wonderful meal! The evening started with a tractor ride out to the 1900 farmhouse. Unfortunately the normal horse and wagon mode of transport was cancelled due to excessive mud. We were welcomed into the oil lamp lit house by people in period dress and served a mug of hot apple cider. We all gathered in the living room and a brief history lesson was given about life on the farm in 1900 after which we made our way to the dining room for a magnificent feast! The dinner was served family style. Stuffed Roast Pork, Apple Sauce (warmed), Baked German Potato Salad, Macaroni and Cheese, Stewed Red Cabbage, Thresher Green Beans, Bread and Butter Pickles, Yeast Rolls served with Churned Butter and Pumpkin Butter. Hot Apple Cider and Coffee was served and you are welcomed to bring a bottle of wine if you wish. There was plenty of food with lots of leftovers. (We were told that some of the leftovers were destined for the pigs.). After dinner we were given a tour of the barn and introduced to all the animals. Upon arriving back at the house we explored the various rooms before being called back to the dining room for a sumptuous desert. Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie and Chocolate Cake was served with Real Whipped Cream. I opted for the Chocolate Cake which was the best I ever had. You were offered both desserts and second portions were offered. When we all finished our cook appeared and handed out a sheet with the nights recipes. The meal and it's preparation was discussed and questions answered. We then made our way to the tractor trailer and were taken back to our cars. A wonderful evening and I would highly recommend it for anyone loving things of the past!