Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
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 lively festivals and acclaimed theatre scene.
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.
Principal Park
Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theatre scene.
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.
Our pick of the best Downtown Des Moines Hotel Deals
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Excellent hotel and service. Great restaurant and speak easy!
Reviewed on 21 Feb 2026
Des Lux Hotel
This hotel was amazing and definitely a favorite of mine. It is an older hotel but everything is clean and beautiful. The staff was so friendly and the free breakfast was the best I have ever had.
Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
The room was very clean. It probably hadn’t been used in a while as the water was rusty when we turned it on. Also, the tv had no signal which was not a big deal as we were there for a competition and really had no time for tv. The staff was incredibly nice. The room was very nice.
Reviewed on 15 Feb 2026
Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
Clean room, staff was nice, great snacks and cocktail hour
Reviewed on 16 Feb 2026
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
It was exellent
Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026
Surety Hotel, Autograph Collection
Beautiful, clean rooms. Excellent customer service.
Reviewed on 25 Jan 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 John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, 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 John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park are some notable places to visit nearby.
