Des Moines Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city in and county seat of Polk County, Iowa, United States, and Iowa federated state capital city
About Des Moines
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. French Trappist Monks (Moines de la Trappe) called their settlement areas at the mouth of the Des Moines River 'La Rivière des Moines' which, in English, translates to 'the river of the monks.' "De Moyn," which means "middle," may have been used on the map of explorer Jacques Marquette to help others locate the Des Moines River-area (equidistant between the larger Mis
Top Attractions in Des Moines
Explore the best things to see and do in Des Moines:
- ★2017 Solheim Cup
- ★515 Alive
- ★80/35 Music Festival
- ★Adventureland Amusement Park and Adventure Bay Water Park
- ★Big Creek State Lake and Park
- ★Blank Park Zoo
- ★Capitol Building
- ★Des Moines Art Center
Where to Eat in Des Moines
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴801 Chophouse
- 🍴B and B Grocery, Meat and Deli
- 🍴Basil Prosperi's Lucca Restaurant and Bar
- 🍴B-Bops
- 🍴Big Tomato Pizza Co.
- 🍴Centro
Where to Stay in Des Moines
- 🏨AC Hotel by Marriott Des Moines East Village
- 🏨Baymont by Wyndham Des Moines North
- 🏨Butler House on Grand B and B
- 🏨Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown
- 🏨Hampton Inn
- 🏨Hotel Fort Des Moines
Des Moines Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 16 sections including: