Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

Principal Park
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes 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 which includes a garden and interior views

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

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 outdoor art, 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 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
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 lively festivals and great live music.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Our pick of the best 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
The price is AU$245 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
AU$245
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
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! (939 reviews)
"The best hotel I’ve stayed in ever!"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 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 AU$238 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
AU$238
includes taxes & fees
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (957 reviews)
"Very clean and nice hotel. Upscale. Bed was not the comfy but loved everything else! Food was excellent."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

Surety Hotel
Des Lux Hotel
Des Lux Hotel
3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St, Des Moines, IA
The price is AU$286 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
AU$286
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
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! (1,001 reviews)
"Great location with great decoration!"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 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
The price is AU$225 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
AU$225
includes taxes & fees
8 Apr - 9 Apr
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! (1,117 reviews)
"..."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
3 out of 5
418 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA
The price is AU$155 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
AU$155
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"My only issue was the remote in the room, seemed like the batteries were dying and it would not significantly maneuver thru the menu"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 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
The price is AU$195 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
AU$195
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
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! (1,001 reviews)
nice enough hotel, great location
"This hotel is super convenient if you're attending an event at Wells Fargo Arena or going anywhere in downtown Des Moines. Another perk is the free parking. The hotel itself is rather rundown and likely in need of some renovations. That being said, our room was comfortable and check in and check ..."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
See all 728 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

Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: