Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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
Des Moines Botanical Center which includes a garden and interior views

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 outdoor art, 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 which includes 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

Our pick of the best Downtown Des Moines Hotel Deals

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 AU$240 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$240
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
"Decor and cleanliness were great. Really liked having a beach sized towel for the shower and not some tiny, thin towel."

Reviewed on 15 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 AU$232 per night from 21 Aug to 22 Aug
AU$232
21 Aug - 22 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on 14 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 AU$262 per night from 19 Aug to 20 Aug
AU$262
19 Aug - 20 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,003 reviews)
"The Des Lux is a beautiful hotel. Beds are comfy and spacious. The hotel bar is much better than most, craft cocktails. Lots of great dining/cocktail options within walking distance."

Reviewed on 14 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 AU$233 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
AU$233
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,120 reviews)
"They had a very nice breakfast with alot of choices. The beds were to be 2 queens! They were Not. They were 2 double beds that were not comfortable at all. Toilet was leaking and very noisy&shower had mold. Property needs a major update. Front desk were all wonderful! They helped us out alot."

Reviewed on 16 Aug. 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 AU$183 per night from 5 Sept to 6 Sept
AU$183
5 Sept - 6 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"I loved that there was GOOD ham on the breakfast buffet! I will definitely stay here again, not just because of the ham, but because it was a nice place to stay. There must be a good manager, the staff all seemed to work hard while still being personable."

Reviewed on 14 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 AU$177 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
AU$177
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Very friendly front desk person. Clean nice room."

Reviewed on 13 Aug. 2025

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
See all 769 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 outdoor art, 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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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
Des Moines Botanical Center which includes a waterfall

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

Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide

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