Raleigh Word Search
February 27, 2026
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This Des Moines word search offers an exciting and educational way to explore Iowa‘s capital city through a challenging puzzle experience. Featuring 24 carefully selected words that represent the heart and soul of Des Moines, this activity brings together landmarks, notable people, industries, sports teams, cultural attractions, and local flavor into one engaging format.
What makes this Des Moines word search printable particularly valuable is that every single word included in the puzzle comes with a detailed definition. Each term is explained with 20-30 words, providing context and background information about why it’s significant to Des Moines. From the famous Iowa State Fair and downtown Skywalk system to Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and the thriving insurance industry, you’ll gain deeper knowledge about what makes this Midwestern city unique.
This word search printable is perfect for educators, students, tourists, or puzzle enthusiasts who want to combine entertainment with learning. Whether you’re preparing for a trip to Iowa, teaching about state capitals, or simply enjoying a themed puzzle challenge, you’ll discover fascinating facts about Des Moines while searching for hidden words. All words contain nine letters or fewer, making this accessible and enjoyable for various skill levels.
ARNOLD, ART, BRIDGE, CAPITOL, CORN, CUBS, DOWNTOWN, DRAKE, EASTSIDE, ESTES, FAIR, INSURANCE, IOWA, JOHNSON, MUSEUM, PAPPAJOHN, PORK, PRINCIPAL, RACCOON, REGISTER, SKYWALK, STEAK, WESTSIDE, WILD
ARNOLD – Tom Arnold is a comedian and actor born in Ottumwa, Iowa, who grew up in the Des Moines area and became famous through television and film roles.
ART – The Des Moines Art Center is a renowned museum featuring modern and contemporary art collections, with architecture designed by three famous architects: Eliel Saarinen,
I.M. Pei, and Richard Meier.
BRIDGE – Des Moines features numerous historic and modern bridges spanning the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, connecting different parts of the city and serving as important transportation infrastructure landmarks.
CAPITOL – The Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines features a distinctive gold dome and houses the state legislature. Completed in 1886, it’s an architectural landmark visible throughout downtown.
CORN – Iowa is the nation’s leading corn producer, and Des Moines serves as the agricultural capital where corn industry, trade, and processing businesses significantly contribute to the economy.
CUBS – The Iowa Cubs are Des Moines’ Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs. They play at Principal Park downtown, providing family-friendly entertainment each season.
DOWNTOWN – Des Moines’ downtown area is the urban core featuring the skyline, skywalk system, business district, entertainment venues, restaurants, and cultural attractions concentrated in the city’s central business district.
DRAKE – Drake University is a private university in Des Moines, founded in 1881. Known for pharmacy, business, and law programs, plus hosting the famous Drake Relays track and field event.
EASTSIDE – The Eastside neighborhood of Des Moines represents diverse residential communities east of the Des Moines River, featuring historic homes, local businesses, and various cultural establishments throughout the area.
ESTES – Simon Estes is an internationally acclaimed opera singer from Iowa who performed at major opera houses worldwide. He’s one of Des Moines’ most celebrated cultural ambassadors.
FAIR – The Iowa State Fair is one of America’s largest state fairs, held annually in Des Moines each August, attracting over a million visitors with agriculture exhibits, entertainment, and food.
INSURANCE – Des Moines is a major insurance industry hub, home to numerous insurance companies and financial services firms, earning the nickname “Hartford of the West” for its insurance concentration.
IOWA – Iowa is the Midwestern state with Des Moines as its capital and largest city. Known for agriculture, it’s where presidential caucuses begin and corn fields dominate landscapes.
JOHNSON – Shawn Johnson is an Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast from Des Moines who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and later became a television personality and motivational speaker.
MUSEUM – Des Moines features several notable museums including the Science Center of Iowa, State Historical Museum, and Art Center, offering educational exhibits and cultural programming for residents and visitors.
PAPPAJOHN – The Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a beautiful urban park in downtown Des Moines featuring over twenty-four modern sculptures by world-renowned artists, free and open to the public year-round.
PORK – Iowa is the nation’s leading pork producer, and Des Moines hosts major pork processing and distribution operations. The Iowa Pork Producers Association is headquartered in the metro area.
PRINCIPAL – Principal Financial Group is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Des Moines, providing insurance, retirement, and investment services globally. It’s one of the city’s largest employers and downtown anchors.
RACCOON – The Raccoon River flows through western Des Moines, joining the Des Moines River downtown. It provides recreational opportunities, scenic trails, and historically served as an important water source.
REGISTER – The Des Moines Register is Iowa’s largest newspaper, founded in 1849. It provides statewide news coverage and historically hosted influential presidential candidate debates during caucus seasons.
SKYWALK – Des Moines features an extensive climate-controlled skywalk system connecting downtown buildings, allowing pedestrians to travel between offices, shops, and restaurants while avoiding harsh Iowa winter weather conditions.
STEAK – Iowa’s beef industry is prominent, and Des Moines boasts numerous renowned steakhouses serving high-quality Iowa beef. Cattle farming remains an important part of the state’s agricultural economy.
WESTSIDE – The Westside encompasses neighborhoods west of the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers, featuring historic districts like Sherman Hill, Valley Junction’s antique shops, and diverse residential communities throughout.
WILD – The Iowa Wild is Des Moines’ professional ice hockey team competing in the American Hockey League. They’re affiliated with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and play at Wells Fargo Arena.
ARNOLD, ART, BRIDGE, CAPITOL, CORN, CUBS, DOWNTOWN, DRAKE, EASTSIDE, ESTES, FAIR, INSURANCE, IOWA, JOHNSON, MUSEUM, PAPPAJOHN, PORK, PRINCIPAL, RACCOON, REGISTER, SKYWALK, STEAK, WESTSIDE, WILD
Des Moines is famous for hosting the Iowa State Fair, being a major insurance industry hub, the Iowa Caucuses, its extensive downtown Skywalk system, and agricultural leadership in corn and pork production.
Des Moines has a population of approximately 215,000 residents within city limits, while the greater metro area contains over 700,000 people, making it Iowa’s largest metropolitan region and economic center.
Insurance and financial services dominate Des Moines’ economy, with major companies like Principal Financial Group headquartered there. Agriculture, healthcare, publishing, and technology are also significant employment sectors throughout the metro.
Visitors should explore the Iowa State Capitol, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines Art Center, Science Center of Iowa, Historic East Village, Downtown Skywalk, and Principal Park. The Iowa State Fair runs annually in August.
The name “Des Moines” likely derives from the French “Rivière des Moines,” meaning “River of the Monks.” The exact origin remains debated, but French explorers named the river before the city was established.
For official city information, government updates, and public services, visit the City of Des Moines website. If you are planning a trip, check out the official tourism portal, Catch Des Moines.
The climate-controlled skywalk spans over four miles, connecting buildings throughout downtown. It allows residents and workers to navigate the city comfortably during Iowa’s harsh winter weather without stepping outside.
The 1932 novel “State Fair” by Phil Stong was set at the Des Moines fairgrounds and adapted into three different Hollywood movies, showcasing Iowa culture to audiences worldwide.
In 1843, a military fort was established where the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers meet. Originally named Fort Raccoon, it was quickly renamed Fort Des Moines before the city developed around it.
The Iowa State Capitol’s distinctive dome was covered in pure gold leaf during its 1886 completion. The dome was re-gilded in 1965 and again in 2017 to maintain its brilliant appearance.
RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) was founded by the Des Moines Register in 1973. It attracts thousands of cyclists annually for a week-long journey across Iowa.
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