Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Downtown Des Moines
Popular places to visit
Principal Park
Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals and great live music.
Iowa State Capitol Building
A city landmark, this interesting building showcases design and architectural features that created a grand impression in the late 1800s and still inspire today.
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.
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.
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.
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 lively festivals or attend a sporting event.
Our pick of the best Downtown Des Moines Hotel Deals
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
My stay could not have been nicer - I had dinner both nights in the main restaurant and both meals, and the service, were perfect! Your entire staff could not have been more helpful and accommodating - it was a perfect stay! Many thanks!!
Reviewed on 24 Oct 2025
Des Lux Hotel
Good ambience and nice decor (esp around Halloween). Location is ideal for a number of downtown activities. Restaurants and bars are easily walkable. Lounge onsite has a decent range of cocktails.
Reviewed on 21 Oct 2025
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Front desk staff was very friendly and helpful. Shuttle to our event was very accommodating
Reviewed on 21 Oct 2025
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Des Moines Downtown by IHG
Helpful staff, offered recommendations, accommodatng to runners in town for the race
Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Everything was great… good food in the restaurant.
Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025
Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
We have stayed here multiple times when staying in DM for events. The facility is clean and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The location is very convenient for concerts and downtown activities and is better priced than other options in the area.
Reviewed on 24 Oct 2025
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Des Moines
Court District
Travellers come to Court District for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Science Center of Iowa and Des Moines' Downtown Farmers' Market while you're in town.
Western Gateway
While visiting Western Gateway, you might make a stop by sights like John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
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.
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.
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.
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.
