Fodor's Expert Review Terrace Hill

The governor's opulent residence is an excellent example of Second Empire architecture, commissioned during the 1860s for an Iowa millionaire and built at a cost of $250,000. The 18,000-square-foot mansion earned status as a National Historic Landmark in 2003. Perched on a hill, it looks out over downtown Des Moines and is a major focal point from downtown. The governor and his family reside in a third-floor private apartment that is off-limits, but the hour-long guided tour explores other areas and outlines the storied history of the building.