Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide

Des Moines
Des Moines Botanical Center featuring interior views and a park

Popular places to visit

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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

Top hotels in Downtown Des Moines

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
3 out of 5
418 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA
The price is ₹9,727 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
₹9,727
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
7.8/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Good."

Reviewed on 27 May 2024

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Surety Hotel
Surety Hotel
4 out of 5
206 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA
The price is ₹13,226 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹13,226
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
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! (683 reviews)
"Staff and hotel were wonderful! Pillows were great and showers were perfect. Location is amazing. Style of hotel is a dream. Restaurant and coffee shop were delicious! Would have been 5 stars but the BEDS were miserable. Definitely a bummer to have a hotel be this close to perfect but use discount ..."

Reviewed on 26 May 2024

Surety Hotel
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 ₹11,383 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
₹11,383
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Stay at this hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (651 reviews)
"Very nice, recently renovated classic hotel in the heart of Des Moines. Friendly helpful staff."

Reviewed on 20 May 2024

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
3.5 out of 5
101 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA
The price is ₹11,242 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
₹11,242
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Enjoy free breakfast, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
7.8/10 Good! (1,098 reviews)
Met my expectations
"Our stay was amazing. The room fit our needs perfectly. The breakfast was excellent, we had more than enough to eat. We will definitely stay here again. And I'll be sure to tell others about how fantastic this hotel is."

Reviewed on 27 May 2024

Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
3.5 out of 5
435 Park Street, Des Moines, IA
The price is ₹14,282 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
₹14,282
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (817 reviews)
"Loved it"

Reviewed on 26 May 2024

Hilton Des Moines Downtown
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 ₹15,721 per night from 30 May to 31 May
₹15,721
per night
30 May - 31 May
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,008 reviews)
"Great place"

Reviewed on 27 May 2024

Des Lux Hotel
See all 677 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 Principal Park 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 Iowa State Capitol Building 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
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
Grays Lake showing a lake or waterhole

Greater South Side

While there might not be top attractions in Greater South Side, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Gray’s Lake Park and Lauridsen Amphitheater.

Greater South Side
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Chautauqua Park

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Chautauqua Park and surrounding area, you can visit Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and Wells Fargo Arena.

Chautauqua Park

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