What to do in Des Moines, IA

Activities, attractions and tours

Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines

Des Moines Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Des Moines has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Des Moines is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Des Moines to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Des Moines Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Des Moines.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Des Moines attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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What to do in Des Moines

Discover the most popular places to visit in Des Moines

Jordan Creek Town Center

Jordan Creek Town Center

4.5/5(3 reviews)

You can enjoy retail therapy at Jordan Creek Town Center during your visit to West Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music or attend a sporting event.

Jordan Creek Town Center
Aerial View of the Iowa State Fair in the Des Moines Metro Area

Iowa State Fairgrounds

4.5/5(4 reviews)

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

Iowa State Fairgrounds
The City Of Des Moines

Iowa Events Center

5/5(1 review)

Learn about the events happening at Iowa Events Center during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.

Iowa Events Center
Iowa State Capitol Building

Iowa State Capitol Building

5/5(6 reviews)

A city landmark, this interesting building showcases design and architectural features that created a grand impression in the late 1800s and still inspire today.

Iowa State Capitol Building
Principal Park

Principal Park

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
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

4/5(2 reviews)

Experience the tropics in an indoor garden oasis nearly 100 years old alongside a meandering river in this Midwestern city.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Des Moines Art Center

Des Moines Art Center

Spend time admiring the architectural lines of this art and education center before heading inside to view its outstanding collection.

Des Moines Art Center

Adventureland

5/5(1 review)

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

Adventureland

Casey's Center

4.5/5(4 reviews)

Catch an event at Casey's Center during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.

Casey's Center

Explore areas of Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines

Downtown Des Moines

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
Court District

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
Drake

Drake

If you're spending some time in Drake, Knapp Center and La Casa Cultural Center are top sights worth seeing.

Drake
Greater South Side

Greater South Side

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 Gray’s Lake Park and Lauridsen Amphitheater.

Greater South Side
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Woodland Heights

While Woodland Heights might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Hoyt Sherman Place and Terrace Hill.

Woodland Heights

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Des Moines

Greenbelt Trail in Clive, Iowa

Clive

Historical Farm in Urbandale Des Moines Iowa

Urbandale

West Des Moines

West Des Moines

Horseshoe Curve, Altoona, PA

Altoona

Des Moines Skyline

Pleasant Hill

Frequently asked questions

Is Des Moines worth visiting?
Famous for its culture and festivals, discovering awesome things to do in Des Moines is easy. Don't forget to add Adventureland to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Des Moines?
After you've checked off key attractions like Adventureland and Blank Park Zoo, spend some time discovering Des Moines's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Des Moines?
Don't go home without visiting Adventureland, rated the top tourist attraction in Des Moines.
Is three days enough to stay in Des Moines?
You can easily tick off leading sights like Blank Park Zoo, Easter Lake Park and The Temple for Performing Arts with a three-day escape to Des Moines. On average, most travellers book two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stay a bit longer and check out West Des Moines.
Is Des Moines a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you plan to see and do in Des Moines. Several key sights, including The Temple for Performing Arts and Iowa Hall of Pride, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Des Moines's neighbourhoods, Downtown Des Moines is 0.64 kilometres away from downtown, while Greater South Side is 3 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Des Moines with kids?
Whether you're travelling with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, a schedule filled with fun activities takes your trip to the next level. Browse our ideas for what to do in Des Moines with kids.

What to do in Des Moines for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Des Moines, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Round off your day with a visit to Casey's Centre or Knapp Centre.
Are there free things to do in Des Moines?
One of the top ways to find free things to do in Des Moines is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can enjoy without reaching into your pocket. Easter Lake Park is one sight that doesn't charge an admission fee.