Weird & Unusual Attractions in Des Moines, Iowa, United States

1. Leonardo's HD Theatre

Experience a 4D motion seat movie adventure at this unique theatre.

Immersive Experience: Offers an immersive experience with motion seats and sensory effects.
Unique Movies: Screens lesser-known, more adventurous films.
Accessibility: Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines for easy access.

Discover Iowa's first underground winery with a romantic cave setting.

Underground Setting: Located 20 feet below ground, offering a unique and intimate ambiance.
Variety of Wines: Produces a variety of wines from grapes grown on-site.
Live Music Events: Hosts live music events throughout the year.

Explore a vast collection of bicycles spanning over 200 years.

Historical Collection: Houses the largest collection of bicycles in North America.
Interactive Exhibits: Offers interactive exhibits and a hands-on experience.
Rare Bicycles: Features rare and unusual bicycle designs.

Explore an enormous salvage yard filled with unique treasures.

Endless Exploration: Over 50 acres of salvaged items for endless exploring.
Unique Items: Finds everything from vintage automobiles to antiques.
DIY Project Inspiration: A great source of inspiration for DIY projects and upcycling.

Step inside the home depicted in Grant Wood's famous painting.

Artistic Significance: Famous for being the inspiration behind Grant Wood's American Gothic.
Historical Artifacts: Houses artifacts and memorabilia related to the painting and artist.
Interactive Exhibits: Offers interactive exhibits about Grant Wood, his life, and work.

Learn about the history of Iowa rock 'n' roll at this one-of-a-kind museum.

Iowa Musical Heritage: Preserves and celebrates Iowa's rich musical heritage.
Rock 'n' Roll Memorabilia: Displays memorabilia from Iowa-connected musicians like Buddy Holly.
Interactive Exhibits: Includes interactive exhibits for a more immersive experience.

Test your skills at the world's largest cornhole game board.

Giant Cornhole: A massive 52-foot long x 18-foot high cornhole set.
Community Gathering Spot: Serves as a popular spot for community gatherings and events.
Iowa Pride: Celebrates Iowa's corn-growing heritage in a fun, engaging way.

Visit the oldest remaining covered bridge in Iowa.

Historical Significance: Built in 1870 and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Architectural Beauty: Features beautiful, timeless covered bridge architecture.
Photography Opportunities: Offers great photo opportunities for nature and architecture lovers.

Enjoy art, theater, music, and more at this dynamic community center.

Cultural Diversity: Promotes cultural diversity through artistic performances.
Community Gathering Space: Serves as a gathering place for the local community.
Unique Events and Programs: Offers unique events and programs to engage visitors.

Walk among over 75 sculptures by internationally-acclaimed artists.

Outdoor Exhibition: A large, outdoor exhibition of contemporary and modern sculpture.
Artist Showcase: Showcases the work of renowned artists like Henry Moore and Louise Bourgeois.
Beautiful Setting: Set in a beautiful park with lovely gardens and water features.

Explore tropical paradise indoors at this unique botanical center.

Indoor Tropical Garden: Features a tropical garden with exotic plants and waterfalls.
Educational Programs: Offers educational programs about plant conservation and sustainability.
Beautiful Venue: Serves as a beautiful venue for weddings, events, and photo shoots.

Ignite your curiosity with hands-on science exhibits and live shows.

Interactive Exhibits: Offers interactive exhibits that encourage exploration and learning.
Live Shows: Hosts live shows about space, physics, and more.
Educational Opportunities: Provides educational opportunities for all ages.

Visit the state capitol with a unique, octagonal design.

Historical Architecture: Features distinctive, octagonal architecture.
Guided Tours: Offers guided tours to learn about the building's history and significance.
Beautiful Grounds: Set on beautiful, landscaped grounds with monuments and statues.

Discover the history of precious metals mining in Iowa.

Mining History: Preserves and shares the history of gold and silver mining in Iowa.
Interactive Exhibits: Offers interactive exhibits about the mining process.
Rare Artifacts: Features rare artifacts and minerals from around the world.

Experience the largest state fair in America.

State Fair Experience: Provides a true, classic American state fair experience.
Unique Attractions: Features unique attractions like butter cow sculptures and pig races.
Food Delights: Offers delicious, unique fair food like deep-fried treats and funnel cakes.