In Brief - Des Moines, IA

TIME ZONE: Central
AREA CODE: 515
FOUNDED: 1843
POPULATION: 564,900*
GET AROUND: DART bus; D-line Downtown shuttle (free)
AIRPORT: Des Moines International Airport
WEBSITE: www.seedesmoines.com  

BY THE NUMBERS

14 size (in acres) of the Des Moines Botanical and Environmental Center

35 slope (in degrees) of the rows of seats at the high-tech Blank IMAX Dome Theater at the Science Center of Iowa

800+ animals at the Blank Park Zoo, including Japanese macaques and flamingos

25,000 permanent grandstand seats at the Iowa Speedway in nearby Newton

CULTURE CALENDAR

June 24-26
DES MOINES ARTS FESTIVAL
The winner of 21 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals & Events Association in 2010, this free annual event brings 180 juried artists, live music, performing arts and more than 35 arts-related activities to Western Gateway Park. www.desmoinesartsfestival.org

July 1-3
GOODGUYS 20TH HEARTLAND NATIONALS
Classic car junkies get all revved up for this auto extravaganza, which showcases more than 3,500 rods, customs and classics from 1972 and earlier at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. There are also nightly parties, Saturday night fireworks and cars for sale. www.heartlandnats.com

NEWS FLASH

Race to the Finish • The new Prairie Meadows Hotel, which broke ground last December, is scheduled to open in early 2012. www.prairiemeadows.com + Pod People • Following  a recent $1.6 million renovation, the Courtyard by Marryott West/Clive features a state-of-the-art lobby, complete with media pods that have free WiFi, power outlets and flat-screen TVs so guests can comfortably get work done (or just relax). www.marriott.com