Des Moines, IA

Travel Guide

Des Moines showing a bridge, a skyscraper and a sunset
Des Moines showing a bridge, a skyscraper and a sunset
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden featuring interior views and a garden
Des Moines Art Center featuring interior views and art
Des Moines Art Center showing outdoor art and outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Eid al-Fitr Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels. Plan this year’s big trip and save.

Where to stay in Des Moines

State Historical Society of Iowa Museum which includes landscape views, a skyscraper and a city

Downtown Des Moines

4.5/5(711 area reviews)

Downtown Des Moines boasts corporate campuses, fine dining, and unique retail destinations. Explore the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and enjoy easy access to DART transit and skywalk connections.

Downtown Des Moines
View into downtown from the Capitol Building.

#capitol #desmoines #city #downtown

Court District

Court District is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Science Center of Iowa and Principal Park while in the area.

Court District
Historic East Village

Historic East Village

Directly east of Downtown Des Moines, this nationally recognized historic district boasts the Iowa State Capitol complex, State of Iowa Historical Museum, and Des Moines Botanical Gardens. Explore eateries, boutique shops, and loft-style housing in its charming structures.

Historic East Village
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.

Drake

If you're spending some time in Drake, Knapp Center and Des Moines Community Playhouse are top sights worth seeing.

Drake
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
😘😘

Greater South Side

4/5(189 area reviews)

While Greater South Side might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Air Lanes Bowling Center and Gray’s Lake Park.

Greater South Side
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 AED 527 per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
AED 527
AED 590 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,087 reviews)
Excellent hotel and service. Great restaurant and speak easy!

Reviewed on 21 February 2026

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
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 AED 293 per night from Feb 24 to Feb 25
AED 293
AED 329 total
24 Feb - 25 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in West Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (988 reviews)
It was ok. Felt some what clean, the staff at night when we checked in were nice but kinda creepy at the same time.

Reviewed on 23 February 2026

Sonesta Simply Suites Des Moines
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 AED 328 per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
AED 328
AED 368 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
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 helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,010 reviews)
The room had plenty of space for our family of 5. Really enjoyed the full size fridge. The breakfast was good. Our room and the hotel were clean and safe. We were attending an event at the Casey’s center and it was an easy and quick drive. Would stay here again when we come back to town.

Reviewed on 23 February 2026

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University
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.
Kasa Downtown Des Moines

Kasa Downtown Des Moines

4 out of 5
550 Watson Powell Junior Way Des Moines IA
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, a business center, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Casey's Center ...
9/10 Wonderful! (114 reviews)
reserved a two room suite and was unknowingly changed to single room. believe to obtain higher cost. unresolved. reserved six months in advance. unknown charge as well. unmanned hotel so nobody to speak to and customer service is almost impossible to get ahold of. the room we had to take was fine ...

Reviewed on 17 February 2026

Kasa Downtown Des Moines
LUXURY GETAWAY! ARCADE, POOL TBL, PING PONG, HOT TUB, DECK! ACCESS TO POOLS!

LUXURY GETAWAY! ARCADE, POOL TBL, PING PONG, HOT TUB, DECK! ACCESS TO POOLS!

Waukee IA
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Waukee. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and a pool table. Popular attractions Jordan Creek Town Center and Hawthorne ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (77 reviews)
This home was perfect for our group. The hot tub was very nice and clean. We utilized the grill and outside seating area. The downstairs bar area was a great hang out for our group. The kids had fun playing pool and ping pong. The beds were very comfortable. We will definitely stay again.

Reviewed on 21 February 2026

LUXURY GETAWAY! ARCADE, POOL TBL, PING PONG, HOT TUB, DECK! ACCESS TO POOLS!
SO MUCH FUN! ARCADE, PL TBL, PNG PNG, YARD GAMES, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR POOLS!!

SO MUCH FUN! ARCADE, PL TBL, PNG PNG, YARD GAMES, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR POOLS!!

Des Moines IA
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (71 reviews)
It was a very nice place to stay and fun thing to do at the house hope to use it on our yearly trip to Des Moines next year thanks for everything

Reviewed on 15 February 2026

SO MUCH FUN! ARCADE, PL TBL, PNG PNG, YARD GAMES, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR POOLS!!
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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Des Moines

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
492
5 - Excellent 39%
4 - Good
596
4 - Good 47%
3 - Okay
151
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
21
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
5
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Busy lol

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Irene was so nice over the phone and in person,I ended up coming now because my mom died, Irene and the rest of the staff was excellent !

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We loved Des Moines, but where we stayed was sub par at best.

5/5 - Excellent

jms918

big city but not overwelming

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very nice people!! friendly, helpful and overall a very pleasant experience.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Was in town for family wedding

Other places like Des Moines