Science Center of Iowa, 401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway - Visit our brand new Science Center. It is filled with new discoveries and memories that last a lifetime! Make sure you take the time for an I-MAX show. Center hours: Monday-Wednesday 9am-6pm, Thursday-Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 11am-6pm. The SCI IMAX Dome Theater may present films during and outside general facility hours. $8.00 adults, $6.00 children ages 2-12 and seniors age 65 and older are $7.00. 515-274-6868 or www.sciowa.org.

Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave. - Nationally known for it's permanent collection of major 19th, 20th, and 21st century paintings, sculptures and recognized masterpieces in a striking contemporary building. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday; noon-4 p.m. Sundays; Closed Monday. Free. 277-4405.

Des Moines Botanical Center, 909 E. River Drive - Offers breath-taking displays of plants, flowers and free flying birds under one of the Midwest's largest geodesic domes. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m daily. $4 adults, $2 students (ages 6-17), $2 seniors, and children ages 5 and under free. 323-8900.

State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust St. - Enjoy the exhibit, Honor the Colors: Iowa's Civil War Battle Flags. Museum hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Free admission. Free parking in lot east of building. 281-5111.

Terrace Hill, 2300 Grand Ave. - Home of Iowa�s governor, built in 1869. Terrace Hill is the finest example of Second Empire architecture in the Midwest. Tours March through December, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday on the hour and half hour. Adults $5, children $2. First Lady Teas held the third Monday of each month. 281-3604.

Brenton Skating Plaza, 520 Robert D. Ray Dr Bringing a bit of magic to the downtown area, Brenton Skating Plaza is an open-air skating rink and so much more. During the winter, you can enjoy a day of figure eights, hot cocoa, and unforgettable moments. Then join us during the summer for grill-outs, concerts, and karaoke. From birthday parties to broomball games, from music events to company get-togethers, Brenton Skating Plaza also makes for a truly special place to host your own event. Hours and activities vary by season. Call 284-1000 or click here for more information.

Living History Farms, 2600 111th St., Urbandale - 550-acre, open-air museum that tells the story of Midwestern agriculture and rural life. Open May 1 through the third Sunday in October, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily. $10 adult; $6 child (4-12); $9 senior. 278-5286.

Metro Ice Sports Facility, 5100 72nd St., Urbandale - Public skating sessions, 1-3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8-10 p.m. Friday, and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission $5, $4 children 11 and under. Skate rental: $2.50. 276-7200

Farm House Museum, Knoll Road, Iowa State University, Ames - Tours available through the National Historic Landmark home, the first building constructed on what is now the ISU campus. Includes furnishings from the 1860s to 1910. Open noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Tours available for 10 or more. (515) 294-3342.

Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University - The largest public garden in the state. It is situated on a 14-acre site and features gardens, indoor conservatory, butterfly wing, and greenhouses. Open seven days per week year-round, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $3 youth age 4-17, free for children age 3 and under. (515)294-2710.

Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, 7700 N.W. Beaver Dr., Johnston - Featuring exhibits on Iowa military history from 1846 to the present. The current exhibit includes archaeological materials recovered from the World War I Camp Dodge incinerator. Free. 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Saturday. 252-4531.