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
Some amazing artwork that oddly resembles something out of a Tim Burton movie. Great park to explore and find inspiration.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

4.5/5(3 reviews)

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Pappajohn Sculpture Park during your travels in Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals and great live music.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

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
$138 nightly
The price is $154 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$154 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Total includes 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! (1,018 reviews)
Downtown hotel
"Really nice historic hotel in downtown. Good value for the price. On a quiet street with not much to walk around and do. Carpet was dingy and stained. Housekeeping showed up once the 3 nights we were there to see if we needed anything. It wasn’t explained to us at check in that we wouldn’t get service ..."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
3 out of 5
1050 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$104 nightly
The price is $116 total per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
$116 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
Total includes 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! (1,004 reviews)
"I like the location. However, I couldn't park my car at the hotel parking lot due to construction, which created the inconvenience for guests parked their car across the street, with invisible signs that I couldn't see. I drove around in circles for couple time before I could park my car. I wish ..."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
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 Jul 10 to Jul 11
$212 total
Jul 10 - Jul 11
Total includes 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! (1,002 reviews)
Gorgeous hotel!
"I was quite impressed with everything from the quick check-in, to the comfortable bed, to the delicious smelling lotions and potions the hotel provided. Loved the bar at night and the complimentary breakfast was much better than expected. Zero complaints, the staff were friendly and everything was ..."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Des Lux Hotel
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
3 out of 5
418 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA
$118 nightly
The price is $132 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$132 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes 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! (1,001 reviews)
"Went great"

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
3.5 out of 5
435 Park Street, Des Moines, IA
$165 nightly
The price is $185 total per night from Jul 23 to Jul 24
$185 total
Jul 23 - Jul 24
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Staff was super nice. Room was very clean. We really enjoyed our stay. If I had to be picky I would say don't get the pizza from the attached restaurant, it's terrible."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
2.5 out of 5
929 3rd St, Des Moines, IA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$110 nightly
The price is $123 total per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
$123 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
Total includes 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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
Quiet Location and Hot Breakfast
"Front desk staff were very friendly. Room was clean and beds were very comfortable. We slept very well because the location of the hotel was very quiet. Hot breakfast was excellent. Plenty of choices for breakfast from cereals to pancakes."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
See all 745 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
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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
Des Moines Botanical Center showing a cascade

Capitol Park

While Capitol Park isn't home to many top sights, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and Iowa State Capitol Building are some notable places to visit nearby.

Capitol Park
See our Where To Stay guide

Downtown Des Moines, IA

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