Des Moines, IA

Travel Guide

Des Moines showing a bridge, a skyscraper and a sunset
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden featuring interior views and a garden
Des Moines Art Center featuring interior views and art
Des Moines Art Center showing outdoor art and outdoor eating as well as a small group of people
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes a park and heritage architecture

Admire beautiful buildings and indulge in boutique shopping in Iowa’s capital city, which is also close to hiking trails and adventure parks.

Known for its beautiful State Capitol Building and as the host of the annual Iowa State Fair, Des Moines is also home to popular hiking trails, a zoo and a huge botanical garden.Many of the city’s attractions are in the East Village, a historic area on the east side of the Des Moines River. Start out at the State Capitol Building, a grand three-story 19th-century building. Its dome is gilded with thin sheets of gold and its peak is 275-feet (84 meters) high. You’ll need to phone ahead to book the free guided tour find contact details on the Iowa Legislature website.Just a 10 minute-walk from the capitol is the the State of Iowa Historical Museum, which has free admission, parking and family-friendly activities. Much of Iowa’s history is documented at the museum, from the earliest days of the Native Americans through to the pioneers and, more recently, military troops. See vintage aircraft, fossils, a simulated coal mine and the complete skeleton of a 12-foot mammoth, believed to have died 15,000 years ago.Head to the riverside to find the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Here, you can see more than 15,000 plants, one of the largest collections in the Midwest. There is a fee for entry but check the website as the garden offers a number of free days each year. At the Blank Park Zoo, enjoy more than 49 acres (20 hectares) dedicated to 104 animal species including red pandas, lions and giraffes.Don’t leave Des Moines without exploring the East Village shopping and dining scene. You’ll find plenty of bars, specialty stores and cute cafés.Getting around Des Moines is easy. The free D-Line Trolley will take you to major downtown attractions. Use the Des Moines Skyway System, more than 4 miles (6 kilometers) of enclosed walkways, to get around on foot. To cover a greater area, subscribe to the bike-sharing facility, B-cycle. If you are driving, there is user-pay parking in the downtown area, with free street parking on weekends.

Where to stay in Des Moines

State Historical Society of Iowa Museum which includes landscape views, a skyscraper and a city

Downtown Des Moines

4.5/5(711 area reviews)

Downtown Des Moines boasts corporate campuses, fine dining, and unique retail destinations. Explore the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and enjoy easy access to DART transit and skywalk connections.

Downtown Des Moines
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
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
Grays Lake featuring a lake or waterhole

Greater South Side

4/5(189 area reviews)

While Greater South Side might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Air Lanes Bowling Center and Gray’s Lake Park.

Greater South Side
Great Western Trail. Lovely and mostly flat. Connects to other trails in the greater DSM area. Ride it to work when the weather's good.

Southwestern Hills

While Southwestern Hills might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Air Lanes Bowling Center and Gray’s Lake Park.

Southwestern Hills
Checked out the Mars Cafe in Des Moines, IA. Great spot with good seating, wifi, and a pretty good latte. Nice flavor to the espresso. A good spot for a light lunch wit good sandwiches. 

If I have to be in Iowa it's nice to find a good coffee joint.

Drake

If you're spending some time in Drake, Knapp Center and Des Moines Community Playhouse are top sights worth seeing.

Drake
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! (1,028 reviews)
"The only disappointment was regarding the Speakeasy. The hotel website did not clarify that seating was very limited to not available at all. The was no open bar and only a handful of tables that required advance reservations. We had planned our trip and told our guests that the Speakeasy was our ..."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
2 out of 5
1901 Hackley Ave, Des Moines, IA
$66 nightly
The price is $74 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$74 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,541 reviews)
"The only thing that we would have liked the air conditioner would have cooled better. I know it was a hot day but didst work very good."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
3 out of 5
1050 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA
$110 nightly
The price is $123 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$123 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
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)
"Everything was clean and staff weree very kind!!!"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
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.
Kasa Downtown Des Moines
Kasa Downtown Des Moines
4 out of 5
550 Watson Powell Junior Way, Des Moines, IA
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, a business center, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Wells Fargo Arena ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (93 reviews)
"Great, modern & great location."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Kasa Downtown Des Moines
Close to Drake/Downtown - Filled With Amenities, Pet Friendly, Hot Tub, Theater!
Close to Drake/Downtown - Filled With Amenities, Pet Friendly, Hot Tub, Theater!
Des Moines
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Des Moines. Enjoy a water park, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Wells Fargo Arena ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
Nice place
"I chose this place due to price, location and what it provided for the grandchildren. It was decorated cute and had a theatre in the basement. We were hoping to have smores after a day at Adventureland and a movie. Rain came in so outside was out and then the TV's didn't work. SO, it wasn't the best ..."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

Close to Drake/Downtown - Filled With Amenities, Pet Friendly, Hot Tub, Theater!
 AMAZING & A PARTY BARN… HOT TUB, PL TBl, PNG PNG, & ARCADE!  ACCESS TO POOLS!
AMAZING & A PARTY BARN… HOT TUB, PL TBl, PNG PNG, & ARCADE! ACCESS TO POOLS!
West Des Moines
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in West Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Jordan Creek Town ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (59 reviews)
Mini Family Reunion
"Hello, We had 10 families that traveled to West Des Moines from the Chicagoland area for a mini family union for another family member that lives in town. We all stayed at different places including a mix of VRBOs and hotels. My cousin hosted us all at his house for the reunion, but we definitely ..."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

AMAZING & A PARTY BARN… HOT TUB, PL TBl, PNG PNG, & ARCADE! ACCESS TO POOLS!
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.

Getting around Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines is compact enough for you to walk around, and there’s no need to be worried about the cold winter temperatures; a network of heated skywalks allow you to walk above the city in comfort. When the weather warms up, take advantage of the B-cycle public bike-share program. Renting a car is an option throughout the year, although you should be wary of icy roads in the winter. Visit the Des Monies Area Regional Transport AuthorityOpens in a new window website.Browse Des Moines rental cars.

Best time to visit

You’ll find plenty to do in Des Moines throughout the year, but you’ll find the most pleasant weather in the spring and fall. In May, for example, average high temperatures reach the low 70s F (low 20s C), which is perfect for touring attractions like the Capitol Building and the city’s gardens. Winters get very cold, but locals turn it to their advantage. Join them ice skating on Brenton Plaza, for example.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Des Moines

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
492
5 - Excellent 39%
4 - Good
596
4 - Good 47%
3 - Okay
151
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
21
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
5
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Busy lol

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Irene was so nice over the phone and in person,I ended up coming now because my mom died, Irene and the rest of the staff was excellent !

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We loved Des Moines, but where we stayed was sub par at best.

5/5 - Excellent

jms918

big city but not overwelming

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very nice people!! friendly, helpful and overall a very pleasant experience.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Was in town for family wedding

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