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Des Moines Art Center


Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312-2099
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Des Moines weather essentials

Monthly Averages
Month
High
Low
Precip
Dec
33°F 0°C
17°F -8°C
1 in 1 cm
Jan
28°F -2°C
12°F -11°C
0 in 1 cm
Feb
34°F 1°C
18°F -7°C
1 in 3 cm
Mar
43°F 6°C
25°F -3°C
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Apr
59°F 15°C
38°F 3°C
3 in 7 cm
May
68°F 20°C
49°F 9°C
5 in 12 cm

Extended Forecast
Friday
Dec 25
Hi:
26°F -3°C
Lo:
13°F -10°C
Saturday
Dec 26
Hi:
18°F -7°C
Lo:
4°F -15°C
Sunday
Dec 27
Hi:
18°F -7°C
Lo:
7°F -13°C
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What's Near Des Moines Art Center

Top-Rated Nearby Hotels
Distance in: mi km
Hotel EUR* Distance Rating
Days Inn West Des Moines €48 2.3 mi 3.7 km 3 of 5 stars
Holiday Inn Express Des Moines/Drake University €74 2.4 mi 3.9 km 3.5 of 5 stars
Rodeway Inn Des Moines €39 3.2 mi 5.2 km 3.5 of 5 stars
Hotel Fort des Moines €68 3.6 mi 5.8 km 3 of 5 stars
Suites of 800 Locust Hotel and Spa €122 3.7 mi 6.0 km 3 of 5 stars
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*Average price
Top-Rated Nearby Restaurants
Distance in: mi km
restaurant Distance Rating
Chocolaterie Stam 0.8 mi 1.2 km 4 of 5 stars
La Mie Bakery 0.8 mi 1.3 km 4 of 5 stars
Manhattan Deli 1.0 mi 1.7 km 4 of 5 stars
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Top-Rated Nearby Things to Do
Distance in: mi km
Thing to Do Distance Rating
Salisbury House 0.8 mi 1.3 km 4 of 5 stars
Val Air Ballroom 1.7 mi 2.7 km 4 of 5 stars
Valley Junction 2.1 mi 3.4 km 4 of 5 stars
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Traveler Advice on Des Moines Art Center

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Professional Advice (3)
Title Source
“Des Moines Art Center” PlanetWare.com
“36 Hours In: Des Moines” New York Times (free registration required)
“Business Travel: On The Ground -- In Des Moines; A City of Agriculture and Insurance” New York Times (free registration required)
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #1 of 36 attractions in Des Moines
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Traveler Description:
This internationally acclaimed museum houses impressive works by artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keefe and...... more » This internationally acclaimed museum houses impressive works by artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keefe and Henri Matisse. The center, which also offers art classes, consists of three buildings, each designed by a celebrated architect: Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei and Richard Meier. « less
Familiar with Des Moines Art Center? Write your own description and share what you know with other travelers.
Attraction type: Art museum
Address: 4700 Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50312-2099
Tel: 515 277 4405
Fax: 515 271 0357

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
“Absolute Gem - Collection Stacks Up With The Big Boys”
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5 of 5 stars
Tutweiler   25 contributions
Swieqi, Malta
Jul 3, 2009

This is one of Des Moines hidden gems. An absolutely great, and relatively diverse, permanent collection is the backbone of this institution housed in a facility touched by now world-famous architects Pei and Sarinen. The masters are well represented and some of the newer icons too. The rotating exhibitions aren't historically as strong - but it is not to be... more

“Well worth the trip”
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5 of 5 stars
drdannyboy   2 contributions
Lawrence
May 15, 2009

Great museum! Diamond in the rough. The art is fantastic, yet the architecture is brilliant as well. The Pei section is incredible! It is like suspended concrete. Beautiful! more

“Wonderful museum”
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5 of 5 stars
iowacorn   43 contributions
Des Moines, IA
Apr 2, 2009
2
people found this review helpful

I have lived in Des Moines several years now, but hadn't explored the art museum yet. I visited a couple weeks ago because of the After Many Springs: Regionalism, Modernism & the Midwest exhibit. It featured several Grant Wood pieces. I expected that to be the extent, but the exhibit was very well rounded. There was photography in addition to... more

“Probably the best small art museum in the midwest.”
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5 of 5 stars
flapjack30   5 contributions
flapjack30
Mar 31, 2008
3
people found this review helpful

I lived in Des Moines for 3 years during law school, and while the city is lacking in many areas, one area in which it isn't lacking is its Art Center. It truly is a gem. The architecture of the place is stunning. You start out in the Saarinen section, head south through the Pei section, and finish the circuit... more

“A pleasant surprise!”
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5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
Los Angeles, California
Jan 21, 2003
7
people found this review helpful

Happened upon the Des Moines Art Center while in that city conducting business. What a pleasant surprise and well kept secret! The building architecture is world class as are the exhibits. The setting is very intimate and quite refreshing, not at all like a stuffy big city museum. If you ever happen to be in Iowa, do not miss this... more

“Lunch and Art”
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5 of 5 stars
shelby1   13 contributions
Brooklyn
Nov 26, 2002
8
people found this review helpful

A great place to meet for lunch. The museum is also free--donations are nice--and a great gift shop, showcasing local pottery. Has a wonderful reflecting pool. The museum has three additions designed by IM Pei, Eliel Saarinen and Richard Meier. more

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Des Moines Art Center Address

4700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312-2099
Tel: 515 277 4405 Fax: 515 271 0357