Des Moinesmidwest appeal

Odd that a city covered in snow six months a year boasts some of the country’s best gardens (see Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden), but it’s true. With roots dating back to 1929, the Des Moines Botanical and Environmental Center includes a Japanese bonsai tree exhibit, herb garden, orchids, roses and more. Though the outdoor gardens are beautiful in the summer, the dome and conservatory provide a tropical oasis year-round. If you suffer from the winter blues, a quiet afternoon meandering through the small but stocked glass building will lift your spirits. Birders will love watching finches and other feathered friends zip overhead.