When
most people think of Iowa, the first image that pops into their heads is probably
something agricultural, such as a farmhouse surrounded by nothing but rolling
fields of crops for miles. And there's a reason for that reaction -- agriculture
is a leading industry in Iowa, which has more than 97,000 farms. But
Iowa has a lot more to offer than farmland. Its two largest cities, Des Moines
and Cedar Rapids, offer all the amenities of a large city while retaining their
Midwest friendliness and charm. Visitors will find that music and the arts are
just as important as agriculture is to the natives. Despite
constant growth, driving across metropolitan Des Moines still takes less than
30 minutes, and a trip from the airport to major convention facilities is less
than 10 minutes. |