Drake Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo by Eric Mondres
Photo by Eric Mondres

Popular places to visit

Adventureland

Adventureland

Bring the family to Adventureland and enjoy this exciting theme park in Altoona. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.

Adventureland
Principal Park

Principal Park

Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and lively festivals.

Principal Park
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes a statue or sculpture

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.

Iowa State Capitol Building
Living History Farms

Living History Farms

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Living History Farms during your travels in Urbandale. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.

Living History Farms
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
Des Moines Art Center featuring art and interior views

Des Moines Art Center

Spend time admiring the architectural lines of this art and education center before heading inside to view its outstanding collection.

Des Moines Art Center

Our pick of the best Drake Hotel Deals

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University

3 out of 5
2650 University Ave., Des Moines, IA
The price is AU$203 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$203
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (932 reviews)
"Staff was very friendly. Room was nice and clean. Bed was comfortable. Could have used an extra pillow. Parking is really my only complaint."

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 2025

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University
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$239 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$239
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & 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! (1,006 reviews)
"Nice property. Great location in downtown, very walkable. Checked in late with no problems. Would certainly stay here again"

Reviewed on 9 Aug. 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
The price is AU$127 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$127
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & 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! (1,580 reviews)
"Best mattress EvErrr!!! All the amenities one can need! Free parking, airport shuttle if needed, free breakfast, gym, pool. I stay at a lot of hotels and this one tops them all! Thank you, Days Inn 😁"

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines

3 out of 5
5000 Merle Hay Rd, Urbandale, IA
The price is AU$134 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
AU$134
20 Aug - 21 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Urbandale. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
5.6/10 (538 reviews)
"The water park is nice because my kids love to swim. We were there for 3 nights and i beer the kids swam for 12 hours. I wish the arcade was cheaper but it was okay. Had some plumbing issues but overall a good stay."

Reviewed on 6 Aug. 2025

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG

3 out of 5
1050 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA
The price is AU$232 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
AU$232
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & 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! (1,008 reviews)
"Staff were very nice! Rooms were clean. It was busy the night we stayed, but we had no issues with noise disturbances."

Reviewed on 8 Aug. 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA

2 out of 5
7655 Office Plaza Dr N, West Des Moines, IA
The price is AU$117 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$117
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in West Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (507 reviews)
It's good enough
"It is adequate and rooms have been updated. The pool is closed and there is no snack bar. There is complimentary coffee. The lication is close to the nterstate, Jordan Creek Mall, and several food options."

Reviewed on 9 Aug. 2025

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA
See all 773 properties in Drake
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 Drake

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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
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North of Grand

North of Grand might not have many top sights, but Salisbury House and Des Moines Art Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

North of Grand
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Beaverdale

While Beaverdale isn't home to many top sights, Merle Hay Mall and Knapp Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

Beaverdale
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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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Waveland Park

If you're spending some time in Waveland Park, Waveland Municipal Golf Course and Des Moines Community Playhouse are top sights worth seeing.

Waveland Park
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park which includes outdoor art, a garden and a city

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

Drake Travel Guide

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