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

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
Principal Park

Principal Park

Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals and great live music.

Principal Park
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
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
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
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

Surety Hotel
Surety Hotel
4 out of 5
206 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA
The price is AU$141 per night from 22 Dec to 23 Dec
AU$141
includes taxes & fees
22 Dec - 23 Dec
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! (871 reviews)
Perfect stay
"Very clean and stylish, the room was perfect, the restaurant had excellent food and cocktails, and the staff were all super helpful and friendly. Will absolutely stay again next time I’m in town."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Surety Hotel
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$192 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
AU$192
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (833 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel. Charming, clean, close to everything. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 21 Nov. 2024

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
The price is AU$278 per night from 8 Dec to 9 Dec
AU$278
includes taxes & fees
8 Dec - 9 Dec
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,004 reviews)
"The staff was just absolutely wonderful- so helpful and pleasant!"

Reviewed on 22 Nov. 2024

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$156 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
AU$156
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,102 reviews)
"The staff has been incredible and the hotel is very nice."

Reviewed on 22 Nov. 2024

Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
3.5 out of 5
435 Park Street, Des Moines, IA
The price is AU$217 per night from 20 Dec to 21 Dec
AU$217
includes taxes & fees
20 Dec - 21 Dec
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! (906 reviews)
"Room is very nice. Property is well kept. Food in restaurant is average."

Reviewed on 19 Nov. 2024

Hilton 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$160 per night from 27 Nov to 28 Nov
AU$160
includes taxes & fees
27 Nov - 28 Nov
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! (1,004 reviews)
"I found my stay at the Hyatt Place hotel in downtown Des Moines to be a good experience. The staff were friendly and helpful, the breakfast good, and the accommodation nice. The hotel is a little worn for wear, but it was very clean and a great value for the price while I was attending a conference ..."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
See all 721 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 Principal Park 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 Wooly's and Iowa State Capitol Building 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 801 Grand, 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: