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Reserve a hotel in Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines is the capital city of Iowa, but don't let the Midwest pleasantries fool you.

This city has a thriving arts and entertainment scene and hosts some major players in the the insurance and publishing industries.

Here's a few things that the Travelsites team thinks our travelers might be interested in doing in Des Moines this year.

The Des Moines Arts Festival is well known in the art world. Since it's launch in 1998, it has risen steadily in the rankings of all art festivals. It's also a great reason to visit Des Moines. It's attracted over one million visitors to the area since it was introduced. This year's festival featured 150 international, national and local artists displaying works in ceramics, photography, drawing and painting and even jewelry. If you'd like to find out more about this event, check the festival's site at desmoinesartfestival.com.

Another kind of eye candy will be on display at the Iowa State fairgrounds in late July. Folks from all over the midwest will show their rides at the 14th annual Heartland Nationals. From Cadillacs to Chevys, they'll all be buffed and shined to perfection. Car enthusiasts will love it!

Shoppers will love the East Village of greater Des Moines, where the eclectic tastes of one the Midwest's most diverse neighborhoods. In addition to great shopping at stores like Absolute Art, Aimee, Fusion Furniture and ZZZ Records, there are great festivals and walking tours of the East Village Des Moines area. The Travelsites team recommends stopping in at Sticks, as their homespun art is very cool... it even graces the walls of our office!

One of the most recognizable events in Des Moines is the WineFest weekend. The visitor can Sip and Shop through the area at his or her own leisure. If you're looking to eat at one of the great restaurants in Des Moines, here's a short list you can use to zero in on your best bets.