Downtown Des Moines, IA

Des Moines
Des Moines Botanical Center showing interior views and a park

Popular places to visit

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Principal Park

4.5/5(62 reviews)

Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theater scene.

Principal Park
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Iowa State Capitol Building

4.5/5(194 reviews)

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
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Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

4.5/5(115 reviews)

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
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John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

5/5(3 reviews)

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
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Pappajohn Sculpture Park

4.5/5(3 reviews)

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Pappajohn Sculpture Park during your travels in Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theater scene and great live music.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park
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State Historical Society of Iowa Museum

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 Society of Iowa Museum

Things to do

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Explore Des Moines with a Unique Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest

￥1,473
Per adult
Explore Des Moines with a Unique Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest
Image for Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Des Moines by Zombie Scavengers

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Des Moines by Zombie Scavengers

￥2,946
Per adult
Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Des Moines by Zombie Scavengers
See all activities in Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines Hotel Deals

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
3 out of 5
418 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA
The price is ￥16,404 per night from Jun 9 to Jun 10
￥16,404
per night
Jun 9 - Jun 10
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on May 11, 2024

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Surety Hotel
Surety Hotel
4 out of 5
206 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA
The price is ￥21,716 per night from May 20 to May 21
￥21,716
per night
May 20 - May 21
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (665 reviews)
"I needed early check in and late check out and they were able to accommodate. The bar downstairs has good quick service and great food. Coffee shop also has excellent breakfast options."

Reviewed on May 13, 2024

Surety Hotel
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 ￥20,716 per night from May 30 to May 31
￥20,716
per night
May 30 - May 31
Stay at this hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (699 reviews)
"The hotel was very nicely restored from a last-century hotel. I was disappointed however, with the shower. The water pressure in my 9th floor room was so low that I had difficulty washing shower gel off. This seems like a relatively simple thing to fix in an otherwise very nice facility."

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ￥26,403 per night from May 16 to May 17
￥26,403
per night
May 16 - May 17
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
Weird hotel
"It was an awkward stay we booked two nights and cards deactivated after first night. Then got a new card got back room to chill for a bit then the front desk lady just opens the door for unknown reasons. The lobby is pretty for decor and pictures."

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

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 ￥19,787 per night from May 26 to May 27
￥19,787
per night
May 26 - May 27
Stay at this hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,088 reviews)
"Overall place was clean except for the intake ducts which were real dirty."

Reviewed on May 1, 2024

Embassy Suites Hotel 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 ￥21,911 per night from May 26 to May 27
￥21,911
per night
May 26 - May 27
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! (803 reviews)
"I went to the Fall Out Boy concert in April and I loved how it was an easy walk to the venue and back to the hotel."

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

Hilton Des Moines Downtown
See all 712 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 neighborhoods around 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

Historic East Village is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Iowa State Capitol Building and Wooly's while you're in town.

Historic East Village
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

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Sherman Hill and surrounding area, you can visit Hoyt Sherman Place and John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Sherman Hill
Des Moines Botanical Center showing a cascade

Capitol Park

While Capitol Park isn't home to many top sights, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and Iowa State Capitol Building are some notable places to visit nearby.

Capitol Park
Grays Lake featuring a lake or waterhole

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 Gray’s Lake Park and Lauridsen Amphitheater.

Greater South Side
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Chautauqua Park

While Chautauqua Park might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and Wells Fargo Arena.

Chautauqua Park

Downtown Des Moines, IA