Hoyt Sherman Place

Iowa State Capitol

Century-old building features 275-foot gold-leafed dome flanked by four smaller domes, grand staircase and beautiful woodwork. See legislative and old Supreme Court chambers, Governor's office, five-story law library, scale model of Battleship Iowa, collection of first-lady dolls. Tours last 60

Polk County Heritage Gallery

Salisbury House

This 42-room mansion was modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England. Built in the 1920s by the Weeks family, the home contains authentic 16th century English oak, extensive flintwork and rafters dating to Shakespeare'

Basilica of St. John

Designated a basilica in 1989. Northern Italian/Lombardy Romanesque style, with gold-leaf coffered ceilings and 46 stained-glass windows, including a 15-foot Munich rose window. Ornate plaster and travertine marble interior.

Terrace Hill

This opulent 1869 Victorian mansion, a National Historic Landmark and home of Iowa's governor, was built by Iowa's first millionaire, Benjamin F. Allen. Restored to the late 1800s period, it overlooks downtown Des Moines and is situated on eight acres with a recreated Victorian formal garden.