Iowa · United States
Where to stay in Des Moines
Des Moines is a city in Iowa, United States, home to about 214,000 people.
- Best months
- September
- Nearest airport
- DSM7 km · Des Moines International Airport
- Currency
- USDUnited States dollar
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
- Language
- Carolinian, Chamorro, Hawaiian
About
About Des Moines
Des Moines is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is named after the Des Moines River, likely derived from the French Rivière des Moines meaning 'River of the Monks'.
Because of Iowa's early presidential caucus date, the city is also a hotbed of political dreams and discourse every four years when presidential candidates tour the state and have multiple debates within the city. The meaning of 'Des Moines' is not clear as local Native Americans, the Moingona, had already been using a term (which meant 'river of the mounds') due to the number of burial mounds which were popular in the area.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Des Moines
See
- Capitol Building
- Salisbury House
- Terrace Hill
- Des Moines Art Center
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- State Historical Society of Iowa Museum
- Science Center of Iowa
- Blank Park Zoo
- Des Moines Botanical Garden
Do
The city and surrounding area has a vast array of activities for all ages, from the annual Iowa State Fair, rated by USA Today as one of the Top 10 best things to do in the summertime in the U.S., to the Des Moines Arts Festival in downtown, also rated as a Top 10 member for the nation's arts festivals, indeed there are plenty of sights and sounds to make your experience a memorable one.
- Des Moines Arts Festival
- Iowa State Fair
- Taste of Des Moines
- Salisbury Automobile Classic
- Hoyt Sherman Place
- Des Moines Symphony
- Des Moines Buccaneers
- Drake Bulldogs
- Drake Relays
- Hy-Vee Triathlon
- Iowa Barnstormers
- Iowa Cubs
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Des Moines to stay in
Several major chains have rooms available in the area. The city does not have a large number of bed and breakfast establishments (although not the case with Iowa in general). Peak booking periods, especially downtown near Wells Fargo Arena, are common for three successive weeks in March when the city hosts the state athletic championships for wrestling, girls' basketball and boys' basketball.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Des Moines
6 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Fort Des Moines | 1.0 km | |
| Hotel Kirkwood (Des Moines) | 1.0 km | |
| Randolph Hotel | 0.6 km | |
| Savery Hotel | 0.4 km | |
| Northwestern Hotel | 0.8 km | |
| Hilton Des Moines Downtown | 0.2 km |
All 6 hotels in Des Moines, with their history and operators
When to go
The best time to visit Des Moines
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Des Moines are September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 30 °C; June is the wettest, with about 133 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Des Moines: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Des Moines International Airport (DSM), about 7.0 km from the city centre in a straight line; Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD, 117 km) and Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO, 147 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
Most travelers to Des Moines are likely to come via interstate, on either I-80 (from the east or west) or I-35 (from the north or south). Travelers will not have to worry about encountering any tollways or major traffic jams. Once in the area, those wishing to enter the city will use I-235 to get into Des Moines proper. The majority of area residents get around using their cars, so bringing or renting one is a good idea. The roads are in good shape and most drivers are very courteous.
Getting around
The colder weather months (Nov-Feb) often bring snow and ice to area roads. Visitors who park their cars should be prepared in case their car is "snowed in" by snow removal trucks. Also, strict attention to parking rules and snow emergencies is recommended to avoid being towed away at the car owner's expense. During the winter months, a snow brush, ice scraper, and plenty of windshield washer fluid is essential, and many natives opt to carry a shovel, some sand, and a bag of ice melt/road salt in the trunk just in case.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
DSM · Des Moines International Airport
FOD · Fort Dodge Regional Airport
ALO · Waterloo Regional Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Des Moines
Eat
What to eat in Des Moines? Iowa is a meat-and-potatoes kind of place, with generous servings, and the possibility of a piece of pie afterwards. But when you're in Des Moines, keep an eye out for the locally invented steak de burgo, a beef tenderloin featuring garlic, butter, and sometimes a bit of cream.
Drink
Travelers would likely find the Court District district downtown enjoyable. There, one can find a variety of bars, breweries, dance clubs, live music hot spots and restaurants. It also draws a larger crowd when events downtown take place, such as games for the Iowa Cubs and Barnstormers. East Village rests near the capitol and has several restaurants featuring wine and mixed drinks which can be classified as upscale, but also has bars and live music venues. From the Western Gateway on westwards, bump elbows at any number of sipping places along Ingersoll Avenue. Alcohol sales cease at 2AM for all locations selling alcohol (stores included) in accordance with state law.
Stay safe
In case of an emergency requiring police, fire, or medical assistance, dial 911 for help. The Des Moines Police is the local law enforcement agency. Each suburb also has its own police department, such as the Windsor Heights Police Department. Des Moines is an extremely safe city during all parts of the day. One can take the evening air without feeling nervous. Just like in all other cities with a sizable number of people, there are areas and neighborhoods that may be more troublesome for some groups of people than others. Visitors are likely to avoid these small pockets, however.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Des Moines: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Des Moines?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Des Moines are September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 30 °C; June is the wettest, with about 133 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Des Moines?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Des Moines International Airport (DSM), about 7.0 km from the city centre in a straight line; Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD, 117 km) and Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO, 147 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Des Moines?
United States dollar (USD).
Nearby
Destinations near Des Moines
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.