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
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
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
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 507 per night from Jun 1 to Jun 2
SAR 507
SAR 568 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Jun - 2 Jun
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! (979 reviews)
"The hotel was old, charming and in excellent condition. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The bed was comfortable and quiet. There were many restaurants with in walking distance. We are coming over to Hilton Honors from being IHG members for sometime, the IHG hotels are becoming expensive ..."

Reviewed on 28 April 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
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 May 8 to May 9
SAR 407
SAR 456 total
includes taxes & fees
8 May - 9 May
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! (1,673 reviews)
Cottages
"The cottages were grest"

Reviewed on 4 May 2025

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston
Surety Hotel
Surety Hotel
4 out of 5
206 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA
The price is SAR 593 per night from May 18 to May 19
SAR 593
SAR 680 total
includes taxes & fees
18 May - 19 May
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! (1,004 reviews)
"Didn’t like parking."

Reviewed on 30 April 2025

Surety Hotel
See all 1,426 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)
Very entertaining for the kids!
"Our children greatly enjoyed their stay, with plenty for them to do. They enjoyed all of the downstairs games and recreation as well as the nearby swimming pool."

Reviewed on 16 April 2025

SO MUCH FUN! ARCADE, PL TBL, PNG PNG, YARD GAMES, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR POOLS!!
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! (54 reviews)
Wedding party
"Plenty of room and great location for our wedding party to stay!"

Reviewed on 14 April 2025

NEW REMODEL! ARCADE GAMES, PNG PNG, SKEE BALL, ACCESS TO POOLS..WE HAVE IT ALL!
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 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 lively festivals and great live music.

Iowa State Capitol Building
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
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