Heartland Soles

Set sail for the skies at The National Balloon Museum located minutes outside of Des Moines. Six thousand visitors come to the museum attraction annually to see high-flying exhibits like the Fantasia Balloon, Hot Air Airship, the Stone Family Balloons and learn about over 200 years of ballooning history.

Stick to it at Sticks where you'll find unique object art, accessories and furniture handmade from birch, poplar and driftwood, made in the Sticks award-winning studio. This hidden gem of a studio grew from crafting smaller items such as ornaments and candle sticks, to receiving national acclaim for their distinctive lifestyle lines.

Where's the beef? It's at the Iowa State Fair, also home to the famous annual Butter Cow Sculptures tradition. You'll be attending the official state fair where the state shows off its agriculture might. For 11 days, there is a corral full of indoor and outdoor exhibits, rides, craft shows, musical acts and wild attractions.