| Iowa's state capital and largest city, Des | | | | Terrace Hill. The Heritage Carousel |
| Moines, holds a variety of attractions for | | | | originally cost $300,000 to build, half of |
| the potential visitor: the Des Moines Arts | | | | which was spent on the building of the |
| Center, the Botanical Center and the Blank | | | | animals alone, and was raised by the |
| Park Zoo all offer entertainment for adults | | | | non-profit group, Des Moines Carousels |
| and children alike. The annual presence of | | | | Foundation. The vision of these founders |
| the Iowa State Fair and the Des Moines Arts | | | | has been funding the primary expenses of |
| Festival also add to the appeal of Des | | | | operating the carousel so it can still be |
| Moines as a tourist destination; however, one | | | | affordable to all; and at fifty cents per |
| of the city's most unique sights is the | | | | child, with accompanying adults going free, |
| Heritage Carousel in Union Park. One of the | | | | the attraction is both an affordable and |
| last remaining wooden carousels built in | | | | highly entertaining way of keeping your |
| the 1930s, the Heritage Carousel of Des | | | | family happy. Particular fans of the |
| Moines is guaranteed to provide fun and | | | | Heritage Carousel of Des Moines may be |
| wonderment for the entire family. The | | | | interested to know that it is possible to |
| Heritage Carousel takes on the form of a | | | | rent the premises for private parties and |
| traditional carousel structure, made | | | | events - such as a child's birthday party - |
| playful by an array of brilliantly painted | | | | so you and your family can enjoy the |
| animals; it is the preservation of the | | | | carousel's delights throughout the day. |
| antique carousel's traditional vibe that | | | | Furthermore, the Carousel's situation in |
| has been key to its endurance over the past | | | | Union Park means that visitors are also |
| century. Its thirty hand-carved animals | | | | close to popular Des Moines' recreational |
| include a stork, a tiger, rabbits, horses, an | | | | facility, the Birdland Marina. If you |
| ostrich, a baby elephant, a zebra, a | | | | decide to extend your stay in Des Moines in |
| giraffe, a panda and a pirate cat, as well | | | | order to fully appreciate the Heritage |
| as two chariots. Each structure has had | | | | Carousel and its surroundings, you'll have |
| hand-detailed Japanese oils added to its | | | | plenty of central hotel accommodation |
| paintwork to further enhance their unique | | | | options to consider. What's more, the |
| character, and the Heritage Carousel also | | | | centrality of the Heritage Carousel means |
| retains its original, old- fashioned band | | | | that it's extremely accessible for |
| organ. The beauty of the Heritage Carousel of | | | | visitors, and its exquisite artistry does |
| Des Moines is further enhanced by the | | | | much in the way of symbolising Des Moines' |
| depiction of iconic Des Moines scene along | | | | rich and wonderful history. Author: |
| its top - vistas which include the State | | | | Michael Hanna Michael is a keen writer |
| Historical Building, Drake University and | | | | living in Edinburgh. |