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 lively festivals and acclaimed theatre scene.

Principal Park
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes 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 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$244 per night from 13 Oct to 14 Oct
AU$244
13 Oct - 14 Oct
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! (1,021 reviews)
Love this hitel
"A beutifully maintained hotel in a historic building. I loved this hotel. I also dined at the bar in the restaurant and the food and drinks were excellent. I highly recommend staying here."

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Des Lux Hotel

Des Lux Hotel

3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St, Des Moines, IA
The price is AU$258 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
AU$258
5 Oct - 6 Oct
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! (1,027 reviews)
"Amazing hotel! Staff was great, hotel was clean, cool and in a great location."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Des Lux Hotel
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$197 per night from 28 Oct to 29 Oct
AU$197
28 Oct - 29 Oct
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! (1,003 reviews)
Ok overall
"Air conditioner in the room was loud, but worked. The parking lot issue is inconvenient, especially being from out of the area, and arriving late in the evening, once I figured it out it wasn’t that bad though."

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
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$172 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
AU$172
27 Oct - 28 Oct
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! (1,032 reviews)
"Such a good location and very clean and very quiet. Nice soft beds as well. The front desk was very welcoming."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 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$171 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
AU$171
1 Nov - 2 Nov
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! (1,022 reviews)
"Sink didnt drsin, dusty in the room...staff was cordial"

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Hilton Des Moines Downtown

Hilton Des Moines Downtown

3.5 out of 5
435 Park Street, Des Moines, IA
The price is AU$270 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
AU$270
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (999 reviews)
"Friendly staff. Clean room. Conveniently located."

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

Hilton Des Moines Downtown
See all 773 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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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

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