Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide
Des Moines
Visit Downtown Des Moines
Popular places to visit
Iowa Events Center
Learn about the events happening in Iowa Events Center during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.
Principal Park
Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theatre scene.
Iowa State Capitol Building
A city landmark, this interesting building showcases design and architectural features that created a grand impression in the late 1800s and still inspire today.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Experience the tropics in an indoor garden oasis nearly 100 years old alongside a meandering river in this Midwestern city.
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Whimsical, entertaining and provocative can easily describe the artwork at this outdoor gallery that provides new meaning and life to sculptures.
State Historical Museum of Iowa
Learn about early settlement and battles as well as bicycle races and the movie industry in this museum in Iowa’s state capital.
Top hotels in Downtown Des Moines
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
The room was beautiful but sadly there wasn't a microwave. It was really clean and the bed was extremely comfortable!
Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026
Des Lux Hotel
Everything was fantastic! Beautiful hotel, staff wonderful.
Reviewed on 11 Apr 2026
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Clean rooms, quiet and convenient to downtown
Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026
Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
Stayed overnight for a work/charity event. Everything was very nice! The only thing that was kind of a bummer was tv selection but oh well. The kitchen/bar staff was great because there was a creeper talking to me and my co-workers and when we finally left the bartender made sure the creeper didn't ...
Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026
Staybridge Suites Des Moines Downtown by IHG
Clean rooms
Reviewed on 12 Apr 2026
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Breakfast was great. Cooked fresh with several items to chose from. Parking was priced way to high if park at hotel. Blinds in my room dusty, hair in shower with very slow drainage. Bed mattress broke down on the right side. The cable in room did not have a guide to show what was on. Ended up purchasing ...
Reviewed on 14 Apr 2026
Check Downtown Des Moines hotel availability
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Des Moines
Court District
Travellers come to Court District for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Science Center of Iowa and Principal Park while you're in town.
Western Gateway
While visiting Western Gateway, you might make a stop by sights like John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
Historic East Village
Historic East Village is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Wooly's and Iowa State Capitol Building while you're in town.
Sherman Hill
When in Sherman Hill, you can plan a visit to Hoyt Sherman Place and 801 Grand, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.
Columbus Park
While Columbus Park may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Principal Park and Science Center of Iowa.
Woodland Heights
While Woodland Heights isn't home to many top sights, Hoyt Sherman Place and Terrace Hill are some notable places to visit nearby.
Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide
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