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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.00mi
Map Pin
E Grand Ave / State Capitol, DSM, Des Moines, IA 50319, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
State library of Iowa
Get ready to turn right, but first on your left, tucked inside the Iowa State Capitol complex, is the State Library of Iowa — one of the most beautiful and overlooked spaces in the entire building.

Founded in 1838, even before Iowa became a state, the library serves lawmakers, judges, and state agencies with legal research and historical archives. But beyond its function, it’s the architecture that steals the show.

If you were to step inside, you’d find two levels of ornate cast-iron spiral staircases, Victorian-era balconies, and shelves filled with law books stretching upward beneath a decorative ceiling. It feels more like something out of a European parliament than the Midwest.

For generations, legislators have walked these aisles researching bills, debating statutes, and shaping Iowa’s legal framework. Quietly, without headlines, this room has influenced decisions that affect millions.

As we continue driving, remember — behind every public debate and political headline, there’s usually a quiet library somewhere, where the real groundwork is done.
Place #2
Distance: 0.11mi , Attraction : Government Building, Historic Site
Map Pin
E 12th St / State Capitol, DSM, Des Moines, IA 50319, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
Iowa State Capitol - Golden Dome of the Midwest
On your right, rising above downtown on a hilltop, the Iowa State Capitol is the crown jewel of Des Moines — and yes, that dome really is covered in 23-karat gold.

Completed in 1886, this is one of the few state capitols in America with five domes. The central dome towers nearly 275 feet above the ground, making it visible from miles away and symbolically placing Iowa’s government above the city it serves.

Inside, this is where Iowa’s laws are debated, budgets are decided, and every four years, the state’s political spotlight shines nationally during the presidential caucuses. For a brief moment in each election cycle, all eyes in American politics turn here.

The building itself reflects a time when Iowa was booming — fueled by agriculture, railroads, and westward expansion. Marble staircases, hand-painted ceilings, and sweeping corridors were designed to project stability and confidence in a growing state.

As you drive by, notice how the Capitol anchors the skyline. It’s not just a government building — it’s a statement that even in the geographic center of the country, Iowa plays an outsized role on the national stage.

  https://www.legis.iowa.gov/facilities/capitol
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 State library of Iowa
Map Pin Place 2 Iowa State Capitol - Golden Dome of the Midwest
Map Pin Place 3 Capitol Grounds Memorials
Map Pin Place 4 State Historical Museum of Iowa - Stories of the Hawkeye State
Map Pin Place 5 Historic East Village
Map Pin Place 6 Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
Map Pin Place 7 City of Des Moines Historic City Hall
Map Pin Place 8 Des Moines River - Court Avenue Bridge
Map Pin Place 9 World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
Map Pin Place 10 Iowa Woman of Achievement Bridge
Map Pin Place 11 Cowles Commons | Des Moines Performing Arts
Map Pin Place 12 Court Avenue District
Map Pin Place 13 Science Center of Iowa
Map Pin Place 14 Polk County Historic Courthouse
Map Pin Place 15 Central Library
Map Pin Place 16 Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Map Pin Place 17 Terrace Hill Historic Site
Map Pin Place 18 Des Moines Fun Facts
Map Pin Place 19 Des Moines Art Center | Butler House on Grand
Map Pin Place 20 Historic Kingman Boulevard
Map Pin Place 21 Drake University
Map Pin Place 22 Heading to the end
Map Pin Place 23 Park and head for a walk at Rotary Riverwalk Park



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