Flyover country road trip: Fun in flyover country

I'm very excited to share that long-time Pit Stops for Kids contributor Kathleen Basi, a proud lifelong resident of “flyover country,” released a road-trip-themed novel this spring, and agreed to share a few places she uncovered in her research. If you’re on a flyover country road trip with kids this summer, check out one or two of these fun stops along the way! 1. Silver Beach … [Read more...]

Des Moines area hotel review: Hotel Pattee

If you’re looking for charm and character off the beaten path, while still staying close enough to access the fun of a metro area, try the historic Hotel Pattee, in Perry, Iowa. This lovely old building, which first opened in 1913, offers the serenity of a small town location close to nature while still being close to a metro area with lots of attractions. Art sculptures at the roof top … [Read more...]

Science Center of Iowa

401 West Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway Des Moines, IA The Science Center of Iowa is an ideal place to stop and play for at least several hours. There are shows and demonstrations scheduled throughout the day, no matter how high the attendance, which is nice on uncrowded weekdays. Visit the IMAX theater as well (currently showing Avatar) and the star theater for night sky demonstrations. From … [Read more...]