Des Moines Marriott Downtown
Downtown$$from ~$149/night
Reliable convention-district base with a skywalk connection and easy access to the Court District.
- Budget
- Walkable
- Family
2,150 reviewsCompare rates · Klook
Iowa · City guide
Des Moines
A sculpture park, a walkable downtown, and the best Saturday market in the Midwest.
16 vetted places · 6 neighborhoods
Des Moines is the easiest city in Iowa for a short trip: the East Village and downtown are compact and walkable, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park is free and genuinely world-class, and the Saturday Farmers Market turns the Historic Court District into a regional event. It is two hours from Omaha, three from Kansas City, and four from Minneapolis, which makes it a natural next stop once you've done Nebraska.
Best time to visit
May through October for outdoor events and patio dining. The Iowa State Fair in August is the biggest draw of the year — book hotels months out. Winter is quiet and cheap, with strong brewery and museum options.
Getting around
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is 15 minutes from downtown. The DART bus and free D-Line shuttle cover downtown and the East Village; everything else is a quick rideshare or a flat, easy walk.
Local tips before you book
Stay downtown or in the East Village
You'll walk to dinner, the sculpture park and the farmers market. Parking is cheap, but garages fill fast on market Saturdays.
Do the farmers market early
The Historic Court District market runs 7 AM to noon on Saturdays, May through October. Go before 9 for the best selection and fewer crowds.
The sculpture park is best at golden hour
Pappajohn Sculpture Park is free, open until dusk, and has the best downtown skyline backdrop for photos.
Fair week books out
If you're coming for the Iowa State Fair, reserve rooms as soon as you buy tickets. Rates spike and inventory shrinks fast.
Browse Des Moines
Filter by price, neighborhood and vibe — or switch to the map.
Price watchKlook: Compare Des Moines stays and deals on KlookSee the deal4.5 4.3
4 results
4.4
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Downtown$$$from ~$169/night
Connected to the convention center and a short walk from the sculpture park and farmers market.
- Upscale
- Walkable
- Family
1,680 reviewsCheck availability · Klook
Editor's pick
4.6Surety Hotel Des Moines
Downtown$$$from ~$179/night
Boutique hotel in a restored 1912 building, walkable to the East Village and sculpture park.
- Upscale
- Date Night
- Walkable
1,120 reviewsCheck rates · Klook
East Village boutique apartments
East Village$$from ~$129/night
Apartment-style stays north of the capitol with local cafes and shops on the same block.
- Budget
- Walkable
- Low Key
640 reviewsFind apartments · Klook
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