Information about Des Moines Iowa

We are going to the Shorthor Jr Nationals in Des Moines this year.  Any one have any information about the facilities.  Do we need to bring generators?  How hot are the barns? Can we use port a cools? How are the tie outs? How is the area around the fairgrounds? Is thier any place we need to see or eat while we are in Des Moines? Thanks for any information.

I am assuming the state fairgrounds. Good facilities. Depending on how many head, there should be plenty of room. 
I would bring a generator just in case. I know there are issues at state fair time with breakers being blown. The barns are generally the coolest place on the fairgrounds!  Good ventilation up top and all four sides, so it stays decent inside.
I have never seen a port a cool there, so doubt it. Especially since they use a water source. Fans should provide enough cooling.
Tie outs are about 400-500 yards from barn. They are usually in good shape at summer shows, but during the state fair they get pretty nasty toward the end.  There is no shade at tie outs.
The area around fairgrounds is good. Residential on two sides, HUGE camp ground to the east and residential/gas stations, fast food to the west.
If you are going, you need to eat at: Jethro's (BBQ, Smokehouse) it is about 5 miles away in Altoona, but fantastic food at a reasonable price. Big steer is a steak house that is good, but a bit expensive, also in Altoona.  Several other places that escape me right now, but will try and remember them.

Sight seeing? Not much that isn't typical of any other town.... Science Center is pretty fun, it has an IMAXX theatre and lots of hands on activities for kids and adults that like to act like kids (me included!).  Adventureland is your typical miniature "worlds of fun". 

Des Moines is pretty easy to get around in. When I am in town, I usually stay in Altoona, it is about a 15 minute drive, easy roads, and rooms at the best western are nice and affordable.  I would NOT recommend staying at the hotel right next to the fairgrounds.

You have to go to Hawkeye in Adel, which is about 20 miles west and Nichols Genetics which is about 25 miles north. Both are super bull stud places, which generally welcome visitors with open arms!

Hope you enjoy your visit and have a successful trip to Iowa. 

You should enjoy your time in Des Moines.  I will second the notion about Jethro's.  The Altoona location will probably be most convenient, but they have two other locations fairly close.  Iowa Beef Steakhouse on Euclid is a place I like to go (grill your own if you like) and El Rodeo is my favorite Mexican establishment.  They've got 3 area locations.  Mama Lacona's on the West side has a great Friday buffet, but that's not going to be a good day if you're showing cattle.  If you end up staying near Altoona (Prairie Meadows area), there will be more than enough choices to eat at any price range.  All the usual chains plus some more upscale options, too.  Walmart and Target are nearby if you run out of clean shirts.  We've shown at the Iowa State Fair every year since 1967.  The tie-outs are still in the same place, but they sure seem a lot further away than they used to be!

Last year at state fair a few people did have port a cools so they may let them not sure. That might be up to show management. The older cattle barn can have electrical problems from time to time especially during big shows. The new cattle barn on the hill is very nice. The cattle barns are some of the coolest places on the fairgrounds. Its a nice area around there. Most people stay in Altoona which is 15 min from the fairgrounds. Adventureland is very nice and now has a water park with it. The horse racing track and casino is also there. The casino has an amazing buffet. The big steer restraurant is also a great steak house. Jordan creek mall is nice and has many of the chain eating establishments in that area. As mentioned there are 2county bull studs very close plus there is minor league baseball, the science center, botanical gardens, living history farms and many other things to do and see around town.

The Iowa State Fairgrounds is a classic American Fair facility.  Not new and modern but the grounds have undergone a 20 year renovation that is still going on.  It is a GREAT place to show.  The Pavilion (where you show) is air conditioned and the barns are well ventilated.  I understand the numbers are big enough that they will be using other barns also this year besides the main cattle barn.  I would definitely bring a generator.

Food....You can look these up on the internet to get locations and info or PM me and I can get you more info.  Many of these have been mentioned but will try to list local places that a worth a stop verses chains you can get to anywhere...

Jethro's BBQ-4 locations in Des Moines....great local BBQ place with HUGE portions and very reasonably priced.

The Big Steer-My favorite place to each in Des Moines....classic locally owned steakhouse.  A little pricey but worth the splurg...delicious food and great service

The Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant-on the west side of town.  Setting is classic farm barn and the food is award winning and delicious.

Downtown-some great restaurants scattered throughout downtown....Centro (Italian), Zombie Burger(YOU HAVE TO GIVE THIS A TRY-So creative and delicious), Fong's Pizza (different and interesting pizza choices), Spaghetti Works (inexpensive and lots of food),
Court Ave. Brewing Company (micro brewery with delicious food), Hessen Haus(Classic german food and beers)

Things to do....
Principal Park....Home to the Iowa Cubs Minor league ball team...GREAT place to watch baseball

Science Center-downtown and a great afternoon

Iowa Hall of Pride-this is connected to Wells Fargo sports arena downtown and besides having a lot of Iowa high school history, has a lot of interactive games.  You can play virtual basketball, be a virtual pitcher, and many more.

Living History Farms-This is a great historical farm park....lots to see and do.

Adventureland Amusment Park and Water Park....could fill a day here.

Prairie Meadows-if you gamble, this is a nice casino and horse track.  Even if you don't bet on the horses, they are fun to watch. I believe there are even places that are family friendly for kids to watch.

Court Ave Entertainment district-This is an area downtown with lots of shops and restaurants

Botanical Gardens-This is an indoor exhibit downtown that is really interesting.


Hope this helps.  Let me know if I can help anymore...will be there all week and looking forward to it.

Thank you for all of the information.  I will print it off and take it with me.  We are staying at the Sleep Inn at Pleasent Hills.  How far is that from the fairgrounds.  We had a little bit of a hard time finding rooms.

You will only be about 5 minutes from the Grounds.....easy to get around.

Will,
  Also looking forward to the Jr. Nat'l .  Look me up when you get in. I will be in the office in the main cattle barn.

I will definately look you up.  We are very excited, I just do not know if I am tough enough to make it the show.  We have 9 head that we are trying to rinse at least once a day some times twice.  It is about to wear me out.  Up rinsing by 5:30 and last night it was 11:30 when I got in the house.  I am getting way to old to work this hard.  My kids do not mind it they go to the couch when I go to work. 

Less than one week till we will be in Des Moines.  We are getting excited.  We will arrive Sunday afternoon.  Is thier a wash rack in the tie out so we can rinse Sunday evening?

Also if it hasn't been covered already, they don't allow any butt fans. Also i bet tie outs will be in either the swine barn and/or the sheep barn so it will be in a large open barn. great facilities but wash racks may get a bit full in the mornings so I would get washed early (only 20-30 spots)

The regular tie out area is right next to the Stalling Barn and there are wash racks on the east side.  The main Cattle barn down the hill also has wash racks on outside on the east side.  You can access a map of the fair ground by going to Iowa State Fair and click on maps and directions.  I have not seen any of the information sent out by the Association but would assume all cattle would tie out in the same area and not in the barns at all. No shade or electricity in tie out but water is available. 
  Hope this helps.  If you need more information or directions  you can post back or contact me directly.   

Yes, Tie outs are on the hill in the regular tie out area and not in any of the barns.

Have fun in Iowa everyone. It is suppose to be HOT this weekend (90's) with high humidity, and possible storms.

Good luck and enjoy the midwestern hospitality!

AAOK said:

Emo's Ice Cream. Best thing in Des Moines!  Don't remember where it is.

Click to expand...

I will have to find this place.  I love ice cream.

I hope I am not asking a silly question but... Does everyone use the "group" tie outs, not set up at your trailer? I only ask cause we haven't been to the shorties before (only the chimaines) and we could tie out at the trailer... Just wanting to kinda know what to do before we get there Sunday evening.  Thanks for the help and I am g,ad there were some recommmendations for places to eat! Thanks and see you there

For most shows at the fairgounds the trailers are parked in lots off the grounds so probably not. You will have to use the group tie outs.