Downtown Des Moines, IA

Des Moines

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

Popular places to visit

Brigde

Principal Park

4.5/5(62 reviews)

Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals and acclaimed theater scene.

Principal Park
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes a statue or sculpture

Iowa State Capitol Building

4.5/5(194 reviews)

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

4.5/5(115 reviews)

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 featuring outdoor art, a city and a park

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

5/5(3 reviews)

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 which includes 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
Falls underneath the Women of Achievement Bridge

Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge during your travels in Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music or attend a sporting event.

Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge

Downtown Des Moines Hotel Deals

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
$144 nightly
The price is $161 total per night from Sep 25 to Sep 26
$161 total
Sep 25 - Sep 26
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,020 reviews)
"Really enjoyed our stay! We made reservations at the speak easy, cool private bar area but, the waitresses weren’t overly friendly. Enjoyed it was in walking distance of a lot of things we did. Loved the key card to access elevator for security purpose. The coffe shop in the hotel was good as well! ..."

Reviewed on Sep 13, 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Des Lux Hotel

Des Lux Hotel

3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St, Des Moines, IA
$189 nightly
The price is $212 total per night from Sep 24 to Sep 25
$212 total
Sep 24 - Sep 25
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,014 reviews)
"Staff was great, quick to offer recommendations for food around the area. Room was really clean and supplied many amenities. The whirl pool and fitness area was amazing!"

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2025

Des Lux Hotel
Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown

Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown

3.5 out of 5
101 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA
$135 nightly
The price is $151 total per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
$151 total
Oct 12 - Oct 13
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,088 reviews)
"Was nice"

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2025

Embassy Suites Hotel 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
$126 nightly
The price is $141 total per night from Sep 21 to Sep 22
$141 total
Sep 21 - Sep 22
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"The staff was pleasant and friendly."

Reviewed on Sep 3, 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown

3 out of 5
418 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA
$110 nightly
The price is $123 total per night from Sep 25 to Sep 26
$123 total
Sep 25 - Sep 26
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,009 reviews)
"Close to the event center with optional skywalk!"

Reviewed on Sep 16, 2025

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center

Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center

2.5 out of 5
929 3rd St, Des Moines, IA
$106 nightly
The price is $118 total per night from Sep 26 to Sep 27
$118 total
Sep 26 - Sep 27
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"Really like the location. Stay here whenever were in town. King room w/ river view, nice and spacious. Friendly staff. Would recommend."

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
See all 771 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 neighborhoods around Downtown Des Moines

View into downtown from the Capitol Building. #capitol #desmoines #city #downtown

Court District

Court District is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Science Center of Iowa and Polk County Courthouse while in the area.

Court District
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park featuring outdoor art, a city and a park

Western Gateway

While visiting Western Gateway, you might make a stop by sights like John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Western Gateway
Historic East Village

Historic East Village

Directly east of Downtown Des Moines, this nationally recognized historic district boasts the Iowa State Capitol complex, State of Iowa Historical Museum, and Des Moines Botanical Gardens. Explore eateries, boutique shops, and loft-style housing in its charming structures.

Historic East Village
Great, unique coffee joint in Des Moines. I love the vintage Midwest feel, old tin coka-cola signs and all. The snickers latte is worth a try or cool off with a Sioux City Sarsaparilla.

Sherman Hill

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Sherman Hill and surrounding area, you can visit Hoyt Sherman Place and John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Sherman Hill
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Columbus Park

Though Columbus Park might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Principal Park and Science Center of Iowa.

Columbus Park
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Woodland Heights

While Woodland Heights might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Hoyt Sherman Place and John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Woodland Heights
See our Where To Stay guide

Downtown Des Moines, IA

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