Downtown Des Moines is pulling out all the stops in its efforts to take a leadership position in the quest for sustainability. EcoCore is the brainchild of the Downtown Community Alliance, a program designed specifically for the Downtown area to showcase all of the ways in which the area is leading the way in sustainable planning and development. The EcoCore program is also assisting owners in modifying existing buildings using green technology and building new structures to meet the guidelines for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The program is making it possible to continue a sustainable approach by proving to current building owners that an investment into green technology and ideas can pay off by an increase in rents and building value. This is bringing a positive twist to an area that is teeming with business and activity as a result of these changes to do right by the environment.

If you plan to visit the downtown Des Moines area to see this sustainable work in progress, expect to find a city with an endless array of establishments and businesses offering all types of entertainment, goods and services. From high-quality dining establishments to outdoor venues, such as the Amphitheater, to entertainment choices for all ages to enjoy, Des Moines is quickly distinguishing itself as a place of interest to travelers such as yourself.

When you come into town, consider staying right in the heart of downtown at the Valley West Inn. This state-of-the-art hotel offers spacious rooms, stellar customer service and a slew of amenities to make your stay pleasant.

Des Moines is a great place to visit by yourself or with your family. Come and learn for yourself what all the buzz is about, and see a leader in the sustainability movement in action.

There are over 30,000 parking spaces in downtown Des Moines, including 4,000 parking meters, ensuring that you can almost always find an open parking spot. There are also numerous public parking garages located throughout the downtown area. Most of these garages are connected to the city’s Skywalk system, allowing easy access between popular downtown buildings. Parking is further made easier in downtown Des Moines with the SmartCard parking meter program.

The SmartCard system is like a debit card. You can purchase a SmartCard at one of three locations: the 3rd and Court Parking Garage, the 9th and Locust Parking Garage and the City Hall lobby. There are SmartCard vending machines at these locations, where you buy the SmartCard for $5.00 before adding value to it using cash, a MasterCard or a Visa. To use the SmartCard when you park at a meter, insert the card into the front slot. The meter should tell you how much money you have on the card, and you can choose the amount of time up to the maximum limit to spend at the meter. Remove your card, and you are on your way to exploring the city. If you plan on spending a significant amount of time downtown, a SmartCard is a great convenience.

Although there are plenty of street parking meters, on the busiest times in downtown Des Moines, your best bet is probably one of the parking garages. Plan ahead by finding parking garages closest to your downtown destination. For example, if you are going to Iowa State Capital, park at the East Grand and Penn Ramp garage. If you are going to the Iowa Science Center, park at the Third and Court Ramp garage.

The great thing about parking in downtown Des Moines is that parking is completely free at all city parking garages and street meters from 6 a.m. Saturday through Sunday evening. Parking is also free after 6 p.m. on weekdays. This makes your trip into the downtown area from the Valley West Inn not only easy, but also affordable.

One of the best things to do on a sunny Saturday morning if you are in the downtown area is to visit the immensely popular Downtown Farmers’ Market. This year the Farmers’ Market starts on May 5 and goes all the way until October 27; hours are from 7:00 a.m. until noon. There are currently over 200 vendors offering a wide variety of the freshest fruits, vegetables and other products; some of the vendors sell certified organic produce as well. There is plenty of parking available near the Market, and a well-marked bike trail exists if you prefer to take it easy on the environment that morning. For more information or directions to the Downtown Farmers’ Market or nearby parking, visit http://desmoinesfarmersmarket.com/.

After perusing the fresh offerings at the Downtown Farmers’ Market, check out some of the other Des Moines sights and scenes. There are plenty of happening cafes throughout downtown, serving up soothing teas and steaming cups of coffee to jump start the rest of your day. Get your shopping fix at one of the local malls or specialty boutiques in the area; then treat yourself to a lovely dinner at any one of the many fine dining establishments. To see a guide of local activities and establishments, visit http://www.valleywestinn.com/des-moines-guide.cfm for more information.

If you are ready to book your trip to Des Moines, why not reserve your room at the centrally-located Valley West Inn, which sits in the heart of downtown. This fine hotel has spacious rooms, all of your favorite amenities and top-quality customer service representatives whose main concern is your comfort. Close to everything in downtown, the Valley West Inn is the logical choice. For more information or to place a reservation, visit http://www.valleywestinn.com/.

Surprise your family this summer and schedule a trip to Des Moines. With so much to do and guaranteed fun for the whole family, Des Moines is the perfect vacation choice.

Nothing quite beats a fun-filled afternoon in the sun catching an Iowa Cubs game at Principal Park in downtown Des Moines. With tickets available for just $7, this is the perfect way to spend some quality time with your family while supporting local athletes. The new season begins in early April and lasts through early September, plenty of time to catch a game or two of Iowa’s beloved I-Cubs. Tickets for these games sell out fast, so make sure to reserve your tickets early; ticket and schedule information is available at www.valleywestinn.com/local-sporting-events.cfm.

Downtown Des Moines has plenty of sights and activities to keep you entertained all day long without ever having to leave the area. Enjoy some shopping at the Valley West Mall or any one of the many cute boutiques nearby. Drop into one of the trendy neighborhood cafes for a mid-day cup of joe to jump start the second half of your day. There are plenty of fine dining establishments for you to satisfy your every craving, or drop into one of the neighborhood bars to throw a few back among friends. Check out the guide located at www.valleywestinn.com/des-moines-guide.cfm for a full list of places to visit.

If you want to stay in the downtown area while in Des Moines, consider staying at the Valley West Inn. This state-of-the-art hotel is the perfect place to hang your hat at the end of a busy day out on the town. Choose from nightly, weekly or extended stay options at reasonable prices that are sure to please. Centrally located in the heart of Des Moines, you are conveniently within walking distance to many restaurants, shops and other venues. The Valley West Inn is just 8 miles from Principal Park, the home stadium of the Iowa Cubs. For more information or to book a room, visit the hotel’s website, www.valleywestinn.com.

Make this year the year you finally make it to Des Moines. You and your family are sure to love everything the city has to offer. With so much to do and see, you are going to wonder why you did not come sooner.

If you are staying at the Valley West Inn in Des Moines, you can even make last-minute vehicle reservations through RelayRides with the hotel’s free wireless internet access. Although prices vary depending on the type of vehicle and the owner’s discretion, some cars are available for as little as $5 per hour. The rental process is also refreshingly simple. Once you log onto the website, you need to provide some basic information in order to gain a free membership. Then, enter the area where you are interested in renting a vehicle into the search box and start browsing for your perfect mode of transportation. You can filter your search by vehicle type, features and access type, including options like instant reservation and mobile access, enabling you to unlock the vehicle through a method using your cell phone.

Once you locate your desired vehicle, click on the listing to view all of the details. The listing includes one or more photos of the vehicle, a brief description of the vehicle, the method for accessing the vehicle, the vehicle’s parking location, the availability of the vehicle, the price per hour or per day, a method of contacting the owner and other pertinent details. Some owners allow you to instantly reserve the vehicle, while others require you to submit a reservation request.

In addition to saving money by renting a car through RelayRides while you are visiting Des Moines, you also receive a host of other advantages. Insurance is included in the rental cost, and you do not have to worry about paying a fee if you are a few minutes late in returning the car. RelayRides provides 24-hour roadside service for all vehicles rented through the marketplace. In addition, you have the convenience of finding a vehicle within walking distance of your location. Overall, the RelayRides peer-to-peer system benefits you, the vehicle’s owner, the economy and the environment, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Morning brings the sun, delicious breakfast treats and a great cup of joe at Zanzibar’s Coffee in Des Moines. From bagels to eggs to premium teas, there is something you are sure to love at this cafe. Zanzibar’s Breakfast Adventure is served all day long, every day of the week, much to the delight of its patrons. This fun cafe is located on Ingersoll Avenue, just minutes from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway near Grand Avenue. For more information about hours and to take a sneak peek at the menu, visit zanzibarscoffee.com.

Another great locale to enjoy a steaming cup of coffee to accompany your morning newspaper is Mars Cafe, located right off Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and University Avenue. This happening spot has it all, from coffee and eats to beer and wine. The impressive menu includes breakfast and brunch items to satisfy your every craving. For more information or to see what is on the calendar at this venue, visit marscafe.net.

After you get your morning fix of coffee and goodies, make sure to check out some of the city’s other sights. There is plenty to do in and around town to keep you busy all day long. If shopping is your thing, there are plenty of good malls all over town. Other local attractions include spas, museums, a theme park and a zoo.

A convenient option for lodging, if you are looking for somewhere to make reservations, is at the Valley West Inn, located right in the heart of Des Moines. This hotel offers you spacious rooms, a wealth of amenities, superior customer service and is within walking distance to a host of activities.

From friendly neighborhood cafes to fine dining establishments and more, Des Moines has a lot to offer you. Take the time to visit this lovely city and take in a little of the local culture while you are here.

The Penalty Box Bar & Lounge is the Valley West Inn’s very own sports bar, where you can unwind and check out the current sporting events on the flat screen televisions located all over the bar. Whether you are a fan of football, baseball, basketball or hockey, if a major game is on, it is playing at the Penalty Box. This bar and lounge also offers daily happy hour pricing on beer and tasty bar snacks, including hot wings, potato skins, jalapeño poppers and onion rings.

Just across Valley West Drive is a T.G.I. Fridays that is also an ideal spot for happy hour specials. T.G.I. Fridays offers happy hour specials in the late afternoon and early evening hours, as well as late at night. Specials vary based on the day of the week. You can also expect an extensive food and drink menu, televisions at the bar tuned to sports and good company from visitors and locals alike.

Just a three minute drive from the Valley West Inn, the Rock Bottom Brewery is another excellent spot in the area for happy hour. This bar and restaurant is known for its high energy, billiard tables and two happy hours each day. The place is always packed with people trying to unwind after a long day or settling in to watch a game on the satellite television screens. In addition to regular happy hour specials, the Rock Bottom Brewery also offers $2.50 beers on Tuesdays and half priced burgers every Wednesday evening.

These are just a few of the top happy hour spots close to the Valley West Inn. Other popular happy hour hot spots throughout the Des Moines area include Cabaret West Glen, which offers a free buffet of bar food and pizza on Friday nights, Stadium Bar and Grille, which offers an all day happy hour on Thursdays and Fire Creek Grille, which offers happy hour specials in a more upscale style. You are sure to find a happy hour spot convenient to the Valley West Inn.

With summer just around the corner, you can still keep your resolution to stay fit by spending some quality time visiting the serene and peaceful Gray’s Lake Park. This calming oasis is located just minutes from downtown and offers you a myriad of outdoors activities to keep you on your toes; from biking to jogging to yoga, there is a place here for you to do it all. Enjoy a nice picnic overlooking the lake, take a paddle boat out for a leisurely spin or just do some good, old-fashioned people watching from one of the many benches located throughout the park area. Let the beauty of Gray’s Lake make you feel like you are one with nature once more.

After recharging your batteries at Gray’s Lake, take advantage of the many other attractions in and around Des Moines. Visit one of the local malls to get your shopping fix, make reservations at one of the many fine dining establishments or visit one of the many cafes around town for a steaming cup of coffee. There is so much to do; the question is not what to do, but how to budget your time to get it all done. For a list of activities and local attractions, visit Des Moines Guides from Valley West Inn for more information about everything Des Moines has to offer.

If you are already sold on the idea of Des Moines but are not sure where to stay, consider making reservations at the Valley West Inn, which is located right in the heart of downtown. This state-of-the-art hotel offers spacious rooms, all of the best amenities and stellar customer service that is sure to make your stay a pleasant one.

Book your trip to beautiful Des Moines today, and see for yourself why this city is such a popular destination. Whether you decide to come for the sights, or just want a few days to recharge and regroup, Des Moines is just the place for you.

The Gizmo starts with a fresh, soft Italian roll that is toasted to perfection. The roll is then filled with a mixture of ground beef and ground Italian sausage, smothered with Carl’s exclusive marinara-type seasoned sauce and topped with loads of melted mozzarella cheese. Extras such as jalapeños are also available to complement the sandwich. Marketed by Carl’s Gizmo as the “Italian beef burger,” the Gizmo is promoted as a low-carb menu choice. In addition to the Iowa State Fair, the concession stand also makes annual visits to the Minnesota State Fair and the Urbandale 4th of July Carnival, also located in Iowa.

Although the ownership and operation of the stand is now in the hands of Carla and Kirby Wood, Carl’s daughter and her husband, the same family recipe is used to make the Gizmo, so you can rest assured that the sandwich you order is made the same way as the sandwiches Carl started making over 65 years ago. More than likely, you are going to encounter a long line when you reach the stand. However, thousands of return customers testify to the fact that your wait is well worth it.

Always occupying the same spot at the fair, the stand is located southwest of the Administration Building. If you are staying at the Valley West Inn during your visit to Des Moines, you are only 11 miles away from the fairgrounds, a negligible distance when the reason for your trip to the fair is taken into account. Although you can find recipes on the internet that try to replicate the Gizmo, there is nothing that compares to eating one of the originals while surrounded by the sounds, sights and smells of the Iowa State Fair. Make your visit to Des Moines especially memorable by joining the locals in their annual tradition of indulging in a renowned Gizmo grinder from Carl’s Gizmo, home of the Italian beef burger.

Besides taking a leisurely stroll or bike ride out to the Amphitheater, there are a myriad of other activities all over town that the whole family can enjoy. Plan a fun family picnic at Gray’s Lake Park, where you can enjoy a bike ride around the park or take a paddle boat out for a spin on the lake. Check in at one of the local cafes downtown and treat yourself to a steaming cup of joe or a relaxing cup of herbal tea; there are several trendy cafes from which to choose. Treat yourself to some retail therapy at any of the many shopping venues around town. Make reservations for a romantic dinner for two at one of the local fine dining establishments in the nearby downtown area. With so much to do, your social calendar is sure to fill up quick each day.

Are you ready to book your rooms but not sure where to go? The Valley West Inn, located in the heart of downtown, is the perfect place to hang your hat. Centrally located to shopping centers, dining spots and the lake, the Valley West Inn keeps you right in the thick of things during your stay. Featuring spacious rooms, tons of amenities and a dedication to service, you are going to appreciate your stay here. For more information or to book your rooms, visit the main Valley West Inn website.

Des Moines is the place to visit this summer. With plenty of fun activities for you and your family, this is one trip you are not soon to forget!