Drake Travel Guide

Des Moines

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.
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.

Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Drake

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 2.320.841 ₫ per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
2.320.841 ₫
2.599.342 ₫ total
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,010 reviews)
Clean, spacious, great amenities, and the sheets were super soft.

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University
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 3.491.908 ₫ per night from 25 Feb to 26 Feb
3.491.908 ₫
3.910.937 ₫ total
25 Feb - 26 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,083 reviews)
The room was very clean

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines

3 out of 5
5000 Merle Hay Rd Urbandale IA
The price is 1.810.350 ₫ per night from 11 Feb to 12 Feb
1.810.350 ₫
2.027.591 ₫ total
11 Feb - 12 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Urbandale. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
5.6/10 (708 reviews)
Room a little dirty

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines
Des Lux Hotel

Des Lux Hotel

3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St Des Moines IA
The price is 3.949.429 ₫ per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
3.949.429 ₫
4.423.568 ₫ total
9 Feb - 10 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,035 reviews)
The front desk lady was very nice and helpful! This was one of my favorite places to stay. So thank you all.

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

Des Lux Hotel
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 1.522.646 ₫ per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
1.522.646 ₫
1.705.447 ₫ total
11 Mar - 12 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in West Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (973 reviews)
A very good hotel for the price. Friendly staff. Clean room, but quite old building and interior. The shower in the room was old and squeaky.

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

Sonesta Simply Suites Des Moines
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport

2 out of 5
1901 Hackley Ave Des Moines IA
The price is 1.682.597 ₫ per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
1.682.597 ₫
1.884.508 ₫ total
23 Feb - 24 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,741 reviews)
We stay here several times a year whenever we travel anywhere! The staff is always great and the room and breakfast is always excellent. Add to that a reasonable price and you can’t beat it! We also can park our car there while we’re gone making it so very convenient ❤️

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
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 Drake

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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
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North of Grand

North of Grand might not have many top sights, but Salisbury House and Des Moines Art Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

North of Grand
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

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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Beaverdale

While Beaverdale isn't home to many top sights, Merle Hay Mall and Knapp Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

Beaverdale
Iowa State Capitol

Waveland Park

If you're spending some time in Waveland Park, Waveland Municipal Golf Course and Des Moines Community Playhouse are top sights worth seeing.

Waveland Park
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


Drake Travel Guide

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