Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide

Des Moines
Des Moines Botanical Center featuring interior views and a park

Popular places to visit

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Principal Park

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

Principal Park
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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
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Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

5/5(1 review)

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
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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
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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 acclaimed theatre scene and great live music.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park
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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

Top hotels in Downtown Des Moines

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 ฿4,631 per night from 13 Jun to 14 Jun
฿4,631
per night
13 Jun - 14 Jun
Stay at this hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,103 reviews)
"Great stay"

Reviewed on 3 Jun 2024

Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
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 ฿5,004 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
฿5,004
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Stay at this hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (723 reviews)
"Hotel and property was absolutely breathtaking! The staff was super friendly upon arrival and check-in was easy. My only complaints (and they are very minor) is that the room wouldn't get as cold as we like, and the pillows were too soft. Other than that, it was fantastic!"

Reviewed on 1 Jun 2024

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 ฿6,180 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
฿6,180
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (700 reviews)
Comfy!
"Really nice hotel. Located in downtown Des Moines. Very Comfy bed, nice room."

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2024

Surety Hotel
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
3.5 out of 5
435 Park Street, Des Moines, IA
The price is ฿5,035 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
฿5,035
per night
1 Jul - 2 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (817 reviews)
"Loved it"

Reviewed on 26 May 2024

Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Des Lux Hotel
Des Lux Hotel
3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St, Des Moines, IA
The price is ฿6,911 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
฿6,911
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,003 reviews)
My new favorite
"Absolutely delightful. Check in clerk was fantastic. Best decorated hotel anywhere. So clean. Bed was super comfy. The little details were so nice. And the ease of access to hot tub was a great feature. The included breakfast is NOT your typical continental breakfast, on a Sunday at least. I would ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jun 2024

Des Lux Hotel
Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown
2.5 out of 5
120 Sw Water St, Des Moines, IA
The price is ฿4,942 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
฿4,942
per night
7 Jul - 8 Jul
Stay at this hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Would stay again"

Reviewed on 3 Jun 2024

Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown
See all 680 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 Iowa State Capitol Building 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
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
Grays Lake showing a lake or waterhole

Greater South Side

While there might not be top attractions in Greater South Side, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Gray’s Lake Park and Lauridsen Amphitheater.

Greater South Side
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Chautauqua Park

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Chautauqua Park and surrounding area, you can visit Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and Wells Fargo Arena.

Chautauqua Park

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