Downtown Des Moines, IA

Des Moines

State Historical Society of Iowa Museum which includes landscape views, a skyscraper and a city
Des Moines Botanical Center showing interior views and a park
State Historical Society of Iowa Museum showing interior views
Iowa State Capitol Building featuring a garden and heritage architecture
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes a park and heritage architecture

Popular places to visit

Brigde

Principal Park

4.5/5(62 reviews)

You can take time to visit Principal Park during your travels to Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals or attend a sporting event.

Principal Park
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes a statue or sculpture

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
Des Moines Botanical Center showing interior views and a park

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
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park featuring outdoor art, a city and a park

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
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
Some amazing artwork that oddly resembles something out of a Tim Burton movie. Great park to explore and find inspiration.

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 great live music and lively festivals.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

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 ￥17,683 per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
￥17,683
￥19,806 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
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! (1,003 reviews)
"Great place to stay! Great staff!"

Reviewed on Jun 15, 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
Fully refundable
The price is ￥17,576 per night from Jun 30 to Jul 1
￥17,576
￥19,686 total
Jun 30 - Jul 1
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! (1,009 reviews)
"Na"

Reviewed on Jun 14, 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 ￥22,112 per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
￥22,112
￥24,767 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
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! (1,005 reviews)
"Really everything about this stay was ideal in terms of staff, decor, lush breakfast and quiet sleep. Our room was gorgeous, location ideal, and we would definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Des Lux Hotel
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
3 out of 5
418 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA
The price is ￥14,393 per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
￥14,393
￥16,120 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,004 reviews)
"Great place"

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2025

Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Surety Hotel
Surety Hotel
4 out of 5
206 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA
The price is ￥24,446 per night from Jul 3 to Jul 4
￥24,446
￥27,380 total
Jul 3 - Jul 4
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,004 reviews)
"I can't wait to stay here again next year!"

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

Surety Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Des Moines Downtown by IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Des Moines Downtown by IHG
2.5 out of 5
333 SW 11th St, Des Moines, IA
The price is ￥20,208 per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
￥20,208
￥22,633 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
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 in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (885 reviews)
"Spacious lobby"

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Des Moines Downtown by IHG
See all 739 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 Des Moines' Downtown Farmers' Market while in the area.

Court District
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park featuring outdoor art, a city and a park

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

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
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
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Columbus Park

Though Columbus Park might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Principal Park and Science Center of Iowa.

Columbus Park
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Woodland Heights

While Woodland Heights might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Hoyt Sherman Place and John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Woodland Heights

Downtown Des Moines, IA