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Before you go
Your trip to Des Moines.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Des Moines – Iowa Destination Des Moines and central Iowa Capital
How to get there
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Des Moines International Airport (DSM) 8 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is about 8 km from downtown. By car I-80 links the city to Chicago and Omaha, and I-35 to Minneapolis and Kansas City. There is no passenger train station in the city.
How many days
Two days allow time to see the capitol, downtown, the East Village, the Art Center and Living History Farms. During the state fair, add a day.
When to go
From May to October, with hot days in summer. August hosts the state fair and the warmest weather. Winter is very cold, and the skywalk helps get around downtown without exposure to wind.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Not in downtown. There are buses to Living History Farms and the fairgrounds, but a car makes travel easier; for Pella and Winterset, a car is the most practical means.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Des Moines
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Morning
Capitol
Start at the Iowa State Capitol, with guided tours and the law library.
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Afternoon
East Village and sculptures
Walk down the hill to the East Village and cross the river to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
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Evening
Dinner in the East Village
Return to the East Village for dinner.
2 days in Des Moines
Day 2
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Morning
Living History Farms
Visit Living History Farms, in Urbandale, to see farms from different eras.
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Afternoon
Art Center
Finish at the Des Moines Art Center and Greenwood Park beside it.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Des Moines?
Visit the capitol, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the East Village, the Des Moines Art Center and Living History Farms. In August, attend the Iowa State Fair.
What is Des Moines’ skywalk?
A network of enclosed walkways at the second-floor level that connects dozens of downtown blocks. It’s used mainly on cold days and during business hours.
How much tax is paid on purchases in Des Moines?
The price on the tag does not include sales tax, which combines state and local portions and is charged at the register.
What time zone is Des Moines in?
Des Moines follows Central Time: UTC-6 in winter and UTC-5 in daylight saving time, which runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.