Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide
Des Moines
Visit Downtown Des Moines
Popular places to visit
Iowa Events Center
Learn about the events happening in Iowa Events Center during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.
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.
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.
Things to do
The Deadly Dirge of Des Moines Ghost Tour
Top hotels in Downtown Des Moines
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Staff, vallet, and room service was amazing!
Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026
Des Lux Hotel
The staff was friendly. The hotel was clean. Breakfast was great. Beautiful lobby. Would definitely go again!
Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Didn’t see it
Reviewed on 27 Mar 2026
Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
Breakfast was great.
Reviewed on 3 Apr 2026
Staybridge Suites Des Moines Downtown by IHG
Hotel staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The rooms and overall condition of the property was clean and in excellent condition. I did not provide a 5 star review because I specifically chose this place because they offered a 6:30am breakfast time and it was near my work. Both mornings that ...
Reviewed on 3 Apr 2026
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
The breakfast was excellent and the parking garage across the street (connected by a skywalk) was convenient.
Reviewed on 3 Apr 2026
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 Principal Park 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 Wooly's and Iowa State Capitol Building while you're in town.
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.
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 Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden are some notable places to visit nearby.
