Des Moines Hotels

Author Bill Bryson joked that he's from Des Moines because 'someone had to be', and although the downtown area might not be a show-stopper, it does boast a healthy arts scene and some really good restaurants, while outside the city people go weepy-eyed over the bridges of Madison County.

The US is most popular with travellers during the summer, but this is when American families pack everything up and head out to visit Aunt Tilly. To avoid mobs (especially throughout the national park system), it's better to go during autumn or early spring.