Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide

Des Moines

State Historical Society of Iowa Museum which includes a high-rise building, landscape views and a city
Des Moines Botanical Center featuring interior views and a park
State Historical Society of Iowa Museum showing interior views
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes heritage architecture and a garden
Iowa State Capitol Building showing a garden and heritage architecture

Popular places to visit

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 featuring 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
Des Moines Botanical Center showing interior views and a park

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
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park which includes a high-rise building, 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
State Historical Society of Iowa Museum featuring 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
Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge

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 great live music or attend a sporting event.

Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge

Top hotels in Downtown Des Moines

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 Rp2.280.863 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp2.280.863
Rp2.554.566 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,009 reviews)
"Can’t say enough about the dining options on property. The café coffee is some of the best I’ve ever had. The mac & cheese there is to die for. And the daily happy hour at the upscale restaurant was also amazing. Staff was amazing and I certainly will never stay anywhere else in Iowa."

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
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 Rp2.206.416 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
Rp2.206.416
Rp2.471.153 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Nothing necessarily unique about the property. It was very close to the Convention Center which made it convenient. They also had an airport shuttle which was extremely helpful. The hotel itself was very run down but the staff was helpful and courteous"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Des Lux Hotel

Des Lux Hotel

3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St, Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp2.783.176 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
Rp2.783.176
Rp3.117.157 total
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay at Des Lux and will definitely be back next time we come through Des Moines. After completing RAGBRAI again we decided to treat ourselves and relax a bit before heading home. The whirlpool was amazing! Spacious and just the right temp. Lots of options for dining nearby. Be sure ..."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

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 Rp2.072.247 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
Rp2.072.247
Rp2.320.917 total
29 Aug - 30 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,106 reviews)
"The happy hour and breakfast"

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center

Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center

2.5 out of 5
929 3rd St, Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp1.794.093 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
Rp1.794.093
Rp2.009.385 total
6 Sept - 7 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"A no-nonsense hotel with a wonderful staff. Tremendous value."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown

3 out of 5
418 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp1.685.286 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
Rp1.685.286
Rp1.887.521 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
"N"

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
See all 757 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 Polk County Courthouse while you're in town.

Court District
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park which includes a high-rise building, 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
Historic East Village

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.

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
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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

Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide