Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide
Des Moines
Visit Downtown Des Moines
Popular places to visit
Principal Park
Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals and great live music.
Iowa State Capitol Building
After visiting Iowa State Capitol Building, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals and great live music.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Explore the great outdoors at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, a lovely green space in Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music or attend a sporting event.
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Explore the great outdoors at John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, a lovely green space in Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.
State Historical Museum of Iowa
You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at State Historical Museum of Iowa during your travels in Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals and acclaimed theatre scene.
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 acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.
Top hotels in Downtown Des Moines
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Super comfy beds and linen, clean, and nicely designed rooms!
Reviewed on 3 Nov 2025
Des Lux Hotel
Room was amazing. Amenities was amazing. Décor was beautiful. This hotel is a 10/10
Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
It was a nice motel, the parking was undergoing construction. So by the time we got our things packed up into the car, we didn't have time or the desire to walk back in for breakfast. Not the motels fault.
Reviewed on 31 Oct 2025
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Des Moines Downtown by IHG
Great hotel and excellent staff
Reviewed on 27 Oct 2025
Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
Great breakfast, wonderful staff, and a great view of the capitol and the river.
Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
Great room for a great rate. Check in/out and parking was easy, great breakfast.
Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025
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 State Historical Museum of Iowa and Wooly's 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.
Downtown Des Moines Travel Guide
- Places of interest
- Choose Your Downtown Des Moines Hotel Style
- Hotels in top Des Moines neighborhoods
- Search Downtown Des Moines Hotel Brands
- Iowa Events Center
- Principal Park
- Iowa State Capitol Building
- EMC Expo Center
- Des Moines Civic Center
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Wooly's
- 801 Grand
- Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center
- John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Polk County Courthouse
- State Historical Museum of Iowa
- Des Moines' Downtown Farmers' Market
- World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
- Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Des Moines Public Library
- Western Gateway Park
- Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden
- Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
- Ruan Center
- Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater
- Water Works Park
Choose Your Downtown Des Moines Hotel Style
- Cheap Hotels in Downtown Des Moines
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- Golf Hotels in Downtown Des Moines
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- Pet-Friendly Hotels in Downtown Des Moines
- Riverside Hotels in Downtown Des Moines
- Romantic Hotels in Downtown Des Moines
