Drake Travel Guide

Des Moines

Checked out the Mars Cafe in Des Moines, IA. Great spot with good seating, wifi, and a pretty good latte. Nice flavor to the espresso. A good spot for a light lunch wit good sandwiches. 

If I have to be in Iowa it's nice to find a good coffee joint.
Checked out the Mars Cafe in Des Moines, IA. Great spot with good seating, wifi, and a pretty good latte. Nice flavor to the espresso. A good spot for a light lunch wit good sandwiches. 

If I have to be in Iowa it's nice to find a good coffee joint.

Popular places to visit


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 Rp1.504.802 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
Rp1.504.802
Rp1.685.378 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
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 helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,015 reviews)
Great Rooms, pool and awesome breakfast

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026

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 Rp2.264.105 per night from 25 Feb to 26 Feb
Rp2.264.105
Rp2.535.797 total
25 Feb - 26 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,076 reviews)
The room was very clean

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
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 Rp1.187.780 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
Rp1.187.780
Rp1.330.314 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Urbandale. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
5.6/10 (715 reviews)
Had to get a different room because our had not been cleaned. The grandkids had a blast though. Loved playing in the pool area and the arcade.

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines
Sonesta Simply Suites Des Moines

Sonesta Simply Suites Des Moines

2 out of 5
7625 Office Plaza Dr N West Des Moines IA
The price is Rp1.202.090 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
Rp1.202.090
Rp1.346.341 total
16 Feb - 17 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in West Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (979 reviews)
Good everything

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2026

Sonesta Simply Suites Des Moines
Des Lux Hotel

Des Lux Hotel

3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St Des Moines IA
The price is Rp2.560.756 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
Rp2.560.756
Rp2.868.181 total
16 Feb - 17 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,035 reviews)
The front desk lady was very nice and helpful! This was one of my favorite places to stay. So thank you all.

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

Des Lux Hotel
Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

2.5 out of 5
5291 Stoney Creek Court Johnston IA
The price is Rp1.486.390 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
Rp1.486.390
Rp1.664.756 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Johnston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,831 reviews)
This is the 2nd year I booked for my husband’s birthday. Really enjoyed it last year. This year the fireplace did not work, they made it right and the staff was very friendly. We’ll be back next year!

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston
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
Great, unique coffee joint in Des Moines. I love the vintage Midwest feel, old tin coka-cola signs and all. The snickers latte is worth a try or cool off with a Sioux City Sarsaparilla.

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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Beaverdale

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

Beaverdale
Iowa State Capitol

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
Western Gateway sunrise aerial looking downtown over Pappajohn Sculpture Park and Krause Gateway Center.

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