15 Must Experience Museums in DSM

Culture, history, science and art are in abundance across Greater Des Moines (DSM). Explore the region’s museums and learn something new, experience phenomenal art and enjoy cultures, history and more. Here are just 15 of the museums you’ll find in DSM and a can’t-miss highlight for each stop. 

Museums in Greater Des Moines

• State Historical Museum of Iowa in Downtown Des Moines 
  • Highlight: The Hollywood in the Heartland exhibit includes 1950-era theater seats, while the Mammoth exhibit includes real mammoth bones found in Downtown Des Moines. 
• Pella Historical Village & Vermeer Windmill in Pella 
  • Highlight: Learn about Dutch history in Pella by visiting the 22-building complex and one of the tallest working windmills in the country. 
• World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Downtown Des Moines 
  • Highlight: See the stained glass globe illustrating 12 areas where food production and agriculture originated in the Ruan Laureates Room. 
• Carnegie Library Museum in Perry 
  • Highlight: For the bibliophiles, see some of the library’s original books from the early 20th century, as well as special collections of Midwest literature, women’s fiction and children’s books. 
• Iowa Gold Star Military Museum in Johnston 
  • Highlight: This 2023 Des Moines’ People Choice Award-winning Museum honors Iowa veterans and is always free.  
• Des Moines Art Center in Des Moines 
  • Highlight: The Des Moines Art Center collection includes works from Georgia O’Keeffe, Grant Wood and Andy Warhol, while staff oversees the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. 
• Des Moines Children’s Museum in West Des Moines 
  • Highlight: The Des Moines Children’s Museum promotes play through exploration and ever-changing programming, including sensory friendly options, and demonstrations and special events. 
• Grinnell College Museum of Art in Grinnell
  • Highlight: More than 5,000 works of art are included in the Grinnell College Art Collection. 
• Iowa Quilt Museum in Winterset
  • Highlight: The only museum in the state displaying exclusively vintage, art and modern quilts in four exhibits each year. 
• Jasper County Historical Museum in Newton
  • Highlight: This museum features something for every history buff and covers agricultural, commercial, industrial and societal history. 
• Jordan House Museum in West Des Moines
  • Highlight: A spot on the Underground Railroad and one of the oldest structures in Polk County, Jordan House has historical and architectural significance. (And coming soon: Legacy Woods, an outdoor sanctuary companion to Jordan House.) 
• Living History Farms in Urbandale
  • Highlight: Historic interpreters help tell the story of 300 years of Iowa transformation at this 500-acre outdoor museum. 
• National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville
  • Highlight: See Hall of Fame inductees and cars on display. 
• Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum in Oskaloosa
  • Highlight: Visit Prine School, one of the last country schools to close in the state (in 1966). 
• Science Center of Iowa in Downtown Des Moines
  • Highlight: The Star Theater Planetarium is the largest planetarium in Iowa. 

Connect with DSM 

Alongside museums you’ll only find in Iowa, Greater Des Moines (DSM) offers a character of life that’s unmatched. Chase your career goals, live affordably and get connected in a welcoming community. Get to know DSM and find your greater here.   

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