Central Iowa, IA

Travel Guide

Iowa State University featuring a lake or waterhole and heritage architecture
Reiman Gardens which includes a park and signage as well as a family
Iowa State Capitol Building featuring a garden and heritage architecture
Reiman Gardens featuring a garden and wildflowers
Des Moines Art Center featuring interior views and art

Where to stay in Central Iowa

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
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
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 Polk County Courthouse while in the area.

Court District
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
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
Great Western Trail. Lovely and mostly flat. Connects to other trails in the greater DSM area. Ride it to work when the weather's good.

Southwestern Hills

While Southwestern Hills 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.

Southwestern Hills
Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston
Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston
2.5 out of 5
5291 Stoney Creek Court, Johnston, IA
The price is AED 399 per night from Apr 20 to Apr 21
AED 399
AED 447 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Johnston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,657 reviews)
"The property is clean. I love the woodsy logged look. Smelled clean and the front desk staff was courteous. The room I had was spacious and even had a massage chair which believe me I took the liberty of using. It is very quiet. I didn't hear a peep. The main building has a pool and Sauna. You get ..."

Reviewed on 15 April 2025

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston
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 512 per night from May 11 to May 12
AED 512
AED 573 total
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
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! (965 reviews)
"Wonderful place. Great rooms and restaurant is perfect"

Reviewed on 16 April 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
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 AED 219 per night from Apr 22 to Apr 23
AED 219
AED 245 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,465 reviews)
"This is a great property to stay at! Hotel is clean, breakfast is great, parking is easy and close with plenty of spaces available, but best of all, I could open my third floor window and have fresh air every night (a lot of hotels do not allow this). Will stay here every chance I can when in Des ..."

Reviewed on 18 April 2025

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
See all 1,406 properties in Central Iowa
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
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, a business center, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Wells Fargo Arena ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (83 reviews)
"Overall it was perfect for our team. We were able to take the skywalk pretty much all the way to the event center. Could have been a little cleaner but overall great. We will stay here again next year!"

Reviewed on 13 April 2025

Kasa Downtown Des Moines
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
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a pool table. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (47 reviews)
Game night
"Everything was great and really fun!"

Reviewed on 13 January 2025

SO MUCH FUN! ARCADE, PL TBL, PNG PNG, YARD GAMES, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR POOLS!!
Historic Cottage- The Rock House
Historic Cottage- The Rock House
Pella
Stay at this vacation home in Pella. Enjoy free WiFi, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Historical Village, Vermeer Windmill & Scholte ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
Charming!
"Wonderful place, appreciated the coffee!"

Reviewed on 18 April 2025

Historic Cottage- The Rock House
See all properties in Central Iowa
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

Iowa State University which includes modern architecture

Iowa State University

4.5/5(427 reviews)

Walk around the campus of Iowa State University, a top college in Ames. In the area, you can attend a football game or basketball game.

Iowa State University
The Tornado and Dragon roller coasters at Adventureland.

Adventureland

4/5(201 reviews)

Bring the family to Adventureland and enjoy this exciting amusement park in Altoona. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.

Adventureland
Brigde

Principal Park

4.5/5(62 reviews)

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

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

Iowa State Capitol Building

4.5/5(194 reviews)

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 acclaimed theater scene.

Iowa State Capitol Building
The Campanile at the center of the University of Northern Iowa.

University of Northern Iowa

4.5/5(106 reviews)

Enjoy the collegiate vibe when you visit University of Northern Iowa, during your trip to Cedar Falls. Discover the beautiful waterfalls in this family-friendly area.

University of Northern Iowa
Walk through farms and villages from different periods of time, incredible museum and park that takes guests through an interactive tour!

Living History Farms

4.5/5(63 reviews)

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Living History Farms during your trip to Urbandale. Experience the area's lively festivals and great live music.

Living History Farms