grandview college

hi , we shall be visiting des moines sept 24th for 6 days to visit our son at grandview college , looking for a nice hotel with swimming pool also shall have my 17 year old son any ideas to keep him amused ?

thanks

grandview college

Grandview College is not too far from downtown Des Moines, which has an Embassy Suites and a Marriott that both have pools. There are also nice hotels in the suburbs of West Des Moines and Clive, if you don%26#39;t mind being about a half an hour%26#39;s drive away from Grandview.

As for your 17 year old, if he%26#39;s a sports fan he might enjoy seeing an American college football game at Drake University on Sept. 29 or to visit the Iowa Speedway about 30 minutes drive east of Des Moines near Newton, IA.

He may also want to experience the American teen scene by hanging out at Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines. If he%26#39;s interested in history there%26#39;s Living History Farms in Urbandale, which recreates a small American farming village in the 1800s. Jester Park, near Polk City in the northern suburbs, has a small herd of buffalo and elk. And Des Moines and its suburbs have some wonderful recreational trails that are good for walking, rollerblading or biking.

If he%26#39;s interested in politics, there are always political candidates speaking somewhere in Iowa as they prepare for the 2008 presidential campaign.

On Saturday mornings there is a wonderful farmer%26#39;s market in downtown Des Moines. You%26#39;ll find food, crafts, plants and entertainment there.

Whatever you do, I hope that you have a safe and fun trip to the States!

grandview college

thankyou very much for your reply i look folward to our visit from scotland !

Prairiedog has a lot of good suggestions. The only one other thing I might add is to check out the Des Moines Art Center, if that%26#39;s something you%26#39;re interested in. I%26#39;ve been there a few times now and always enjoy it. Hope you have a good time in Des Moines!

In addition to all of the above good suggestions, you could also considering visiting the Prairie Center down toward Pella, it%26#39;s a federal government run museum/prairieland that has a great film explaining about prairies and prairie wildlife. Also a stuffed buffalo to go along with the outdoor herd.

The attractive town of Pella, which is very Dutch can also be visited nearby, has interesting shops and restaurants.

In the Des Moines area, my Edinburgh wife finds that The Royal Mile (downtown) has decent Brit food and beer, as does Limey%26#39;s Pub in West Des Moines. That could be added to a visit to Valley Junction in West des Moines, which also has a smaller Farmer%26#39;s market on Thursdays.

(P.S. at this point of the season, Living History Farms, which relives life here from the earliest Indian village life to the early 1900%26#39;s, is only open on weekends. Unfortunately you have just missed several great events--the Latino Festival, the Renaissance festival, the Valley Junction Art Festival )

Oops--I forgot the Science Center downtown which has an Imax screen. Not sure if the Blank Park Zoo is still open on weekdays.

The zoo is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years. I%26#39;m a member so I figure I should know, but I had to look it up to double-check. Blank Park Zoo is nice but it%26#39;s really small, only about a half day%26#39;s activity for most people.