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
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

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
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
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
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 Air Lanes Bowling Center and Gray’s Lake Park.

Greater South Side
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 SAR 407 per night from Mar 25 to Mar 26
SAR 407
SAR 456 total
includes taxes & fees
25 Mar - 26 Mar
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! (1,619 reviews)
"I stayed at this hotel twice. This review is referencing the second stay. Upon arrival I was asked if I wanted to stay on the 2nd or 3rd floor. I had booked a regular room, but was given a suite. It was a large, lovely room with a nice view of a small wooded area behind the hotel. They also gave ..."

Reviewed on 10 March 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 SAR 480 per night from Mar 16 to Mar 17
SAR 480
SAR 538 total
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
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! (922 reviews)
"I stayed in this hotel many times over 30 years. It was one of the anchors of downtown Des Moines. The last few times, it was run down, worn out, although still clean. The amenities had dwindled. Since the renovation by Hilton properties, it is now very nice, has a great bar/restaurant, and has been ..."

Reviewed on 10 March 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Surety Hotel
Surety Hotel
4 out of 5
206 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA
The price is SAR 565 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
SAR 565
SAR 649 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Mar - 25 Mar
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! (947 reviews)
Cool spot
"Very nice hotel. Comfy bed, good restaurant"

Reviewed on 10 March 2025

Surety Hotel
See all 1,432 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! (79 reviews)
Great spot, not quiet.
"Everything was great except this room is VERY close to the main entrance and the walls are VERY thin, making it a noisy stay. On top of that, someone started vacuuming the hallway outside at 7am."

Reviewed on 10 March 2025

Kasa Downtown Des Moines
NEW REMODEL! ARCADE GAMES, PNG PNG, SKEE BALL, ACCESS TO POOLS..WE HAVE IT ALL!
NEW REMODEL! ARCADE GAMES, PNG PNG, SKEE BALL, ACCESS TO POOLS..WE HAVE IT ALL!
Urbandale
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Urbandale. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and patios. Popular attractions Wells Fargo Arena and Merle Hay ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (51 reviews)
Just as described
"Our large family had a great stay here! There was something for everyone to do!"

Reviewed on 9 January 2025

NEW REMODEL! ARCADE GAMES, PNG PNG, SKEE BALL, ACCESS TO POOLS..WE HAVE IT ALL!
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! (36 reviews)
Great girls weekend
"Perfect property to relax and unwind with friends. Short drive to the town square."

Reviewed on 2 March 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 lively festivals and great live music.

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 great live music and acclaimed theater scene.

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 acclaimed theater scene and great live music.

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

Iowa State Fairgrounds

4.5/5(271 reviews)

Enjoy an outing to Iowa State Fairgrounds during your stay in Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theater scene or attend a sporting event.

Iowa State Fairgrounds