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Des Moines Guide

Explore the best of Des Moines, Iowa, including attractions, local neighborhoods, transportation options, and travel tips to help you plan a smoother trip.

Des Moines International Airport (DSM) Des Moines, Iowa, United States 46 Live Events Next 90 days
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Top Attractions
Must-see places in Des Moines, ranked by popularity
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Blank Park Zoo Attraction
★ 4.5
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA
Explore → 6,895 reviews
Pappajohn Sculpture Park Attraction
★ 4.6
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Explore → 5,591 reviews
Adventureland Park Attraction
★ 4.3
Adventureland Park
305 34th Ave NW, Altoona, IA 50009, USA
Explore → 8,803 reviews
Des Moines' Downtown Farmers’ Market Attraction
★ 4.8
Des Moines' Downtown Farmers’ Market
300 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Explore → 3,514 reviews
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Attraction
★ 4.7
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Explore → 3,903 reviews
Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel Attraction
★ 4.0
Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel
1 Prairie Meadows Dr, Altoona, IA 50009, USA
Explore → 10,622 reviews
Raccoon River Park Attraction
★ 4.7
Raccoon River Park
2500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
Explore → 2,684 reviews
Gray's Lake Park Attraction
★ 4.7
Gray's Lake Park
2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA
Explore → 2,462 reviews
Hoyt Sherman Place Attraction
★ 4.8
Hoyt Sherman Place
1501 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA
Explore → 2,011 reviews
Iowa State Capitol Attraction
★ 4.8
Iowa State Capitol
Iowa State Capitol, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA...
Explore → 1,736 reviews
Des Moines Water Works Park Attraction
★ 4.6
Des Moines Water Works Park
2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA
Explore → 1,600 reviews
ARL Animal Rescue League of Iowa Attraction
★ 4.3
ARL Animal Rescue League of Iowa
5452 NE 22nd St, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA
Explore → 1,792 reviews
Living History Farms Attraction
★ 4.5
Living History Farms
11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA
Explore → 1,127 reviews
Walnut Woods State Park Attraction
★ 4.6
Walnut Woods State Park
3155 Walnut Woods Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
Explore → 821 reviews
Walker Johnston Park Attraction
★ 4.7
Walker Johnston Park
9000 Douglas Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA
Explore → 687 reviews
Fort Des Moines Park Attraction
★ 4.6
Fort Des Moines Park
7200 SE 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA
Explore → 593 reviews
Live Events
Upcoming concerts, sports & shows — next 90 days
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Stanley Simmons Event
Stanley Simmons
Oct 18, 2026
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The Toxhards Event
The Toxhards
Oct 20, 2026
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Thomas Rhett: The Soundtrack to Life Tour Concert
Thomas Rhett: The Soundtrack to Life Tour
Oct 22, 2026
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Old Forester Bourbon Experience Event
Old Forester Bourbon Experience
Oct 22, 2026
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Ballet Des Moines Presents Ghost Stories Arts & Theatre
Ballet Des Moines Presents Ghost Stories
Oct 23, 2026
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1964 The Tribute Concert
1964 The Tribute
Oct 23, 2026
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Ballet Des Moines Presents Ghost Stories Arts & Theatre
Ballet Des Moines Presents Ghost Stories
Oct 24, 2026
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Drake Bulldogs Football vs. Butler University Bulldogs Football Sports
Drake Bulldogs Football vs. Butler University Bulldogs Football
Oct 24, 2026
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1964 The Tribute Concert
1964 The Tribute
Oct 24, 2026
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Ben Folds & A Piano Concert
Ben Folds & A Piano
Oct 27, 2026
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The Claudettes Concert
The Claudettes
Oct 28, 2026
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All Them Witches w/ Emma Ruth Rundle Concert
All Them Witches w/ Emma Ruth Rundle
Oct 28, 2026
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Ella Langley Concert
Ella Langley
Oct 29, 2026
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Boy Band Review Concert
Boy Band Review
Oct 30, 2026
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Boy Band Review Concert
Boy Band Review
Oct 31, 2026
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Daughtry - 20 Years Unplugged Tour Concert
Daughtry - 20 Years Unplugged Tour
Nov 1, 2026
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Hot Freaks w/ Thesaurus Rex Event
Hot Freaks w/ Thesaurus Rex
Nov 3, 2026
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Pigeons Playing Ping Pong w/ Dizgo Concert
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong w/ Dizgo
Nov 4, 2026
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Doctors of Comedy Event
Doctors of Comedy
Nov 4, 2026
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Agriculture w/ Pure Hex Event
Agriculture w/ Pure Hex
Nov 5, 2026
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John Ford Coley Concert
John Ford Coley
Nov 5, 2026
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The Queers Concert
The Queers
Nov 6, 2026
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Justin Willman: One For The Ages Tour Arts & Theatre
Justin Willman: One For The Ages Tour
Nov 6, 2026
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John Ford Coley Concert
John Ford Coley
Nov 6, 2026
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Event
OCT
18
Stanley Simmons
1159 24th St, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Event
OCT
20
The Toxhards
1159 24th St, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Concert
OCT
22
Thomas Rhett: The Soundtrack to Life Tour
730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Event
OCT
22
Old Forester Bourbon Experience
3711 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Arts & Theatre
OCT
23
Ballet Des Moines Presents Ghost Stories
1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Concert
OCT
23
1964 The Tribute
3711 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Arts & Theatre
OCT
24
Ballet Des Moines Presents Ghost Stories
1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Sports
OCT
24
Drake Bulldogs Football vs. Butler University Bulldogs Football
2719 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Concert
OCT
24
1964 The Tribute
3711 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets

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