Central Iowa Vacations

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Where to stay in Central Iowa

Find the best Central Iowa areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Central Iowa
State Historical Society of Iowa Museum which includes landscape views, a skyscraper and a city

Downtown Des Moines

2 out of top 10 points of interest in this area
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.

Find hotels in Downtown Des Moines

Find the Best Central Iowa Vacation Packages

Central Iowa Hotel Deals

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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is SAR 538 per night from Dec 1 to Dec 2
SAR 538
SAR 603 total
1 Dec - 2 Dec
includes taxes & fees
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,055 reviews)
Beautiful place with very nice & clean rooms!

Reviewed on 22 November 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is SAR 357 per night from Dec 7 to Dec 8
SAR 357
SAR 400 total
7 Dec - 8 Dec
includes taxes & fees
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
the staff was fast and professional , the room quiet and well appointed

Reviewed on 25 November 2025

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is SAR 236 per night from Dec 14 to Dec 15
SAR 236
SAR 265 total
14 Dec - 15 Dec
includes taxes & fees
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,670 reviews)
Staff

Reviewed on 25 November 2025

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
See all 1,566 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.

Discover the most popular places to visit in Central Iowa

Iowa State University which includes modern architecture

Iowa State University

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of Iowa State University, during your trip to 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

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

Adventureland
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes a statue or sculpture

Iowa State Capitol Building

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

Frequently asked questions

How do I find cheap flights to Central Iowa that have flexible change policies?
At Expedia, we've been channeling our inner gymnast to get you the most flexible fares around. Simply tick the "No change fee" box right underneath the filter heading "Flexible change policies" to find your ideal flight to Central Iowa.
Which airlines fly to Central Iowa?
Secure your seat with any of the following airlines and get ready for new adventures in Central Iowa:

  • American Airlines - 915 flights to or near Central Iowa each month, including 446 flights to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) and 290 to Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) per month.
  • Delta - 498 flights to or near Central Iowa each month, including 294 flights to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) and 117 to Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) per month.
  • United Airlines - 486 flights to or near Central Iowa each month, including 303 flights to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) and 182 to Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) per month.

How can I find cheap tickets to Central Iowa?
Start searching as early as possible, consider alternative airports, avoid vacation periods — you're not short of ways! One more is to make use of Expedia's "flexible dates" feature. Find your Central Iowa flight, then check out the cheapest prices for nearby dates. In the last seven days, the lowest price for a flight to Central Iowa was .
How much is a flight to Central Iowa?
If you were jetting one way from (), you could've nabbed a cheap ticket for just in the last seven days. Round-trip journeys to Central Iowa ranged from only to during this same period.
What are the most popular airports to fly into in Central Iowa?
Hop on a flight to Central Iowa and you'll have several major airports to pick from. Below are some of the region's busiest:

  • Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) - 1,331 flights per month.
  • Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) - 694 flights per month.
  • Rochester Intl. Airport (RST) - 208 flights per month.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Central Iowa?
If you'd rather spend your vacation dollars enjoying Central Iowa rather than on your flight there, depart earlier in the week. The cheapest day to travel is generally Tuesday, with Monday coming in second. With many people traveling over the weekend, Saturday often has the most expensive ticket prices.
How much is a plane ticket to Central Iowa?
In the last seven days, tickets to Central Iowa ranged between and . Prices depend on the time of departure, cabin class, airline and how early the fare is booked.
What months are the cheapest to book a flight to Central Iowa?
To land cheap flights to Central Iowa, try to book during February when airfares are at their cheapest. When's the most expensive time? In the United States, it's the month of December.
How long is a flight to Central Iowa?
Your flight to Central Iowa could be short or it could be long depending on where your point of departure is. Before you fill your laptop with podcasts and movies, have a look at the average flight times for these in-demand domestic routes:

  • Chicago, IL (ORD-O'Hare Intl.) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) - 1 hour and 32 minutes
  • Denver, CO (DEN-Denver Intl.) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) - 1 hour and 49 minutes
  • Dallas, TX (DFW-Dallas-Fort Worth Intl.) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) - 1 hour and 58 minutes

What are the best things to do in Central Iowa?

  • With so many exciting things to do and see in Des Moines, it's not surprising that most travelers start their Central Iowa adventure in this vibrant city. Spend your first few days touring leading attractions like Iowa State Fairgrounds before discovering some of this place's lesser-known hot spots.
  • When it comes to planning the activities for your escape, bear in mind that Des Moines has a humid continental climate. It's a good idea to check the weather before you depart so you have an idea of what to expect.
  • Roughly 19 kilometers to the northwest of Des Moines, Grimes also deserves to be right at the top of your itinerary. Popular sights at this location include Beaver Creek Golf Club — be sure to put it on your sightseeing list.

What is the best time to go to Central Iowa?
Anytime is a fantastic time to explore Des Moines, Central Iowa's leading city, but May, June and July are the liveliest months. Summer kicks off June 20 inches the USA and is a terrific time to travel if you like the great outdoors. Temperatures range from 18ºC (64ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF) during this season.