Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide

Des Moines

State Historical Society of Iowa Museum which includes a high-rise building, landscape views and a city
Des Moines Botanical Center featuring interior views and a park
State Historical Society of Iowa Museum showing interior views
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes heritage architecture and a garden
Iowa State Capitol Building showing a garden and heritage architecture

Popular places to visit

Principal Park

Principal Park

Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and great live music.

Principal Park
Iowa State Capitol Building featuring a statue or sculpture

Iowa State Capitol Building

5/5(1 review)

A city landmark, this interesting building showcases design and architectural features that created a grand impression in the late 1800s and still inspire today.

Iowa State Capitol Building
Des Moines Botanical Center showing interior views and a park

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

5/5(1 review)

Experience the tropics in an indoor garden oasis nearly 100 years old alongside a meandering river in this Midwestern city.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park which includes a high-rise building, a garden and a 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.

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
State Historical Society of Iowa Museum featuring interior views

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.

State Historical Museum of Iowa
Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Pappajohn Sculpture Park during your travels in Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and great live music.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Top hotels in Downtown Des Moines

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
4.5 out of 5
1000 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA
The price is ₹11,597 per night from 26 May to 27 May
₹11,597
₹12,988 total
includes taxes & fees
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (975 reviews)
Repeat
"Great stay. 2nd time here and we love the hotel and neighborhood"

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Surety Hotel
Surety Hotel
4 out of 5
206 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA
The price is ₹12,692 per night from 8 May to 9 May
₹12,692
₹14,571 total
includes taxes & fees
8 May - 9 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (982 reviews)
"Phenomenal hotel. Beautiful space with an excellent restaurant and extremely comfortable."

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2025

Surety Hotel
Des Lux Hotel
Des Lux Hotel
3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St, Des Moines, IA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹14,410 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
₹14,410
₹16,140 total
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
Couple trip.
"Everything was amazing as always. Great customer service. Clean. Great free breakfast. One of the best bars in the Des Moines area."

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2025

Des Lux Hotel
Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
2.5 out of 5
929 3rd St, Des Moines, IA
The price is ₹8,831 per night from 11 May to 12 May
₹8,831
₹9,891 total
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Very nice hotel. The only rhing i have a problem with is the bed skirt on one of the beds was dirty. I dont know if it was food. Or something else"

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
3 out of 5
418 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA
The price is ₹8,442 per night from 4 May to 5 May
₹8,442
₹9,455 total
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Very positive experience.. Only negative was I was surprised parking was an additional 30 per night. I had assumed it was included."

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2025

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
3 out of 5
1050 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA
The price is ₹9,833 per night from 11 May to 12 May
₹9,833
₹11,013 total
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"the thing that was weird for me was they couldn't give a receipt for my stay or the charges to my room i made. Otherwise the night staff was awesome, very helpful. The girl during the day was less helpful."

Reviewed on 14 Apr 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
See all 721 properties in Downtown Des Moines
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Des Moines

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Court District

Travellers come to Court District for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Science Center of Iowa and Polk County Courthouse while you're in town.

Court District
Historic East Village

Historic East Village

Historic East Village is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to State Historical Museum of Iowa and Wooly's while you're in town.

Historic East Village
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Sherman Hill

When in Sherman Hill, you can plan a visit to Hoyt Sherman Place and John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Sherman Hill
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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.

Columbus Park
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Woodland Heights

While Woodland Heights isn't home to many top sights, Hoyt Sherman Place and John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Woodland Heights
Des Moines Botanical Center which includes a cascade

Capitol Park

While there might not be top attractions in Capitol Park, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and Iowa State Capitol Building.

Capitol Park

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