My Des Moines

By Betsy Rubiner

TIME's Betsy Rubiner tells us where to go in DES MOINES, IOWA, for:

BREAKFAST Waveland Cafe, 4708 University Ave. This popular greasy spoon with eggs, sausage, hash browns and pancakes is worth the wait.

A ONE-HOUR WALK Gray's Lake Park, 1700 Fleur Drive. South of downtown, the small, recently smartened-up lake has a view of the Des Moines skyline.

A CULTURAL FIX The Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave. The museum of contemporary art is showing the Three Cairns project by Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy.

A LOCAL TASTE The Iowa Machine Shed, 11151 Hickman Rd. One of a heartland chain, it's decorated with old farm machinery and calls itself "a tribute to the hardworking American farmer."