Drake Travel Guide

Des Moines

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 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
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 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
Des Moines Art Center which includes interior views and art

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

Top hotels in Drake

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 Rp1.868.074 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp1.868.074
Rp2.092.242 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (928 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp2.258.418 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp2.258.418
Rp2.529.428 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! (1,006 reviews)
"Lobby beautiful and photogenic. Old time elevators. Nice restaurant. So fun@"

Reviewed on 2 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 Rp1.215.478 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
Rp1.215.478
Rp1.361.336 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,584 reviews)
"Near the airport and great shuttle service to and from."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
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 Rp2.210.192 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
Rp2.210.192
Rp2.475.382 total
20 Aug - 21 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
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 Rp1.114.356 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
Rp1.114.356
Rp1.248.099 total
3 Sept - 4 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in West Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.6/10 Good! (494 reviews)
Decent for the price
"For the money it was a decent place, but you get what you pay for. It’s a little dingy and rundown but again for the price it wasn’t bad."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA
Des Lux Hotel

Des Lux Hotel

3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St, Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp2.789.810 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
Rp2.789.810
Rp3.124.586 total
17 Aug - 18 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
See all 770 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 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

Drake Travel Guide