City: Des Moines, IA

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (515) 277-4405

Address: 4700 Grand Ave.

Insider Pick:

Description: A free museum with numerous contemporary art pieces, including works by Picasso, Matisse, Edward Hopper, and Francis Bacon. Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe have works here as well, as do more recently recognized artists like John Currin. There’s a good mix of painting, sculpture, and other media, all laid out in spacious, well-lit galleries that are arranged for a nice stroll through the museum. Additional sculptures are displayed on the museum grounds. Visitor guides are available, including audio guides. The outside of the building is worth a look as well: The white structure is a combination of designs by three world-renowned architects, with the original part of the building, designed by Eliel Saarinen, joined with additions by I. M. Pei and Richard Meier. Each part stands out and adds to the building’s overall style, even in areas where the different architects’ visions seem to clash. The museum is closed Mon.