Des Moinesmidwest appeal

This majestic hilltop building is one of the country’s finest examples of 19th-century architecture. The structure boasts the largest dome in North America, topped with a belvedere and decked in 23-karat gold leaf. The view of the dome from the building’s rotunda is simply gorgeous. The interior equally ornate—marble galore, wood and stone carvings, works of art that include portraits of Honest Abe and George Washington—you know, fancy government stuff. Call or go online to schedule a tour of the sprawling complex, including its beautiful gardens.