Visiting Des Moines? Here Are the 15 Best Things to Do [GALLERY]

Iowa's capital city is filled with interesting experiences, whether you're looking for something educational, relaxing, or just plain fun! Using Trip Advisor, we took a look at the top-rated places to visit in Des Moines based on traveler reviews.

The 15 Highest-Rated Activities/Places to Visit in Des Moines, Iowa:

Gallery Information:

1. Capitol Building
   • Completed in 1886, Iowa's Capitol Building is beautiful both inside and out. Guests are welcome to tour all three floors of the massive structure on a self-guided tour, and groups of ten or more can request guided tours (all tours are free). Highlights of the building include the inner dome, the grand staircases, the artwork, and the gorgeous State Law Library.
   • 4.8-star rating on Trip Advisor (903 reviews)
2. Downtown Farmers Market
   • This summer, the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market is celebrating 50 years! Every Saturday from May through October, the historic Court District is filled with hundreds of vendors, selling everything from produce, baked goods, and prepared food, to homemade items, artwork, and flowers. The popular market runs from 7 a.m. to noon, and 8 a.m. to noon in the month of October.
   • 4.7-star rating on Trip Advisor (425 reviews)
3. Iowa State Fairgrounds
   • The biggest event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds is, of course, the Iowa State Fair, which takes place over the course of 11 days each August. But, there are other events that happen there throughout the rest of the year! That includes Iowa's Largest Arts & Craft Show, the Goodguys Car Show, the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, and more! You can check out a list of upcoming events at the fairgrounds HERE.
   • 4.6-star rating on Trip Advisor (883 reviews)
4. Gray's Lake Park
   • According to Wikipedia, the 166.6-acre Gray's Lake Park is Des Moines' "most known and most visited recreation area." It's home to a 96-acre lake, a sandy beach, hiking and walking trails, a playground, and a light-up pedestrian bridge. Visitors are welcome to ride their bike, fish, rent a watercraft (pedalboat, kayak, canoe, etc.) grab a snack at the concession stand, or just sit by the water and enjoy the beautiful view!
   • 4.6-star rating on Trip Advisor (329 reviews)
5. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
   • The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is located right next to the Des Moines River and consists of more than 10 acres of unique plants and flowers. It features both indoor and outdoor gardens, including a huge, domed conservatory with over 1,000 types of exotic plants from all over the globe! Trip Advisor says that it also has "one of the best bonsai collections in the U.S." In addition to tours, the garden hosts all sorts of different programs, classes, and events, like yoga, plant sales, art classes, live music, Dome After Dark, Dome for the Holidays, and more!
   • 4.4-star rating on Trip Advisor (387 reviews)
6. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
   • Located in the heart of Downtown Des Moines, the 4.4-acre John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park currently features 28 interesting works of art that are free to enjoy. The park is open daily from sunrise to midnight for self-guided tours, but you can also schedule a guided tour between April 1st and October 31st (at least 3 weeks of advanced notice is required). Just please don't touch the sculptures!
   • 4.4-star rating on Trip Advisor (746 reviews)
7. Des Moines Art Center
   • When you're done at the Sculpture Park, you can make your way over to the Des Moines Art Center! The art center actually oversees the sculpture park and is located in the same area. According to the official website, the Des Moines Art Center features three unique buildings filled with "an exceptional collection of art made between 1500 and the present day." In addition to the museum, the center also offers a variety of art classes for all ages. Oh, and did we mention that museum admission is always FREE?!
   • 4.5-star rating on Trip Advisor (322 reviews)
8. Blank Park Zoo
   • Blank Park Zoo is the only AZA accredited zoo in the state of Iowa! The website says that their mission is to "inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research and recreation." The 30-acre zoo is home to 104 different types of animals, including lions, tigers, giraffes, otters, penguins, zebras, rhinos, flamingos, and more. They also host a number of annual events, like WILD Days, the Wild Lights Festival, Night Eyes, and Zoo Brew. The zoo is open year-round.
   • 4.2-star rating on Trip Advisor (652 reviews)
9. Des Moines Civic Center
   • Built in 1979, the Des Moines Civic Center is a popular venue for Broadway shows, plays, concerts, comedy shows, and other performances. The theater can host up to 2,762 people and its said that there's not a bad seat in the house! You can check out a list of upcoming shows at the Civic Center HERE.
   • 4.6-star rating on Trip Advisor (205 reviews)
10. Principal Park
    • Home to the Iowa Cubs, Principal Park is a minor league baseball stadium located right where the Des Moines River and Raccoon River meet. According to Wikipedia, "the stadium seats 11,500 fans, with 4,088 club seats and has 45 luxury suites, 12 of which are in a building in left field that also houses the Cub Club restaurant." The ballpark hosts games from late March through September, even featuring fireworks on Friday nights! You can check out the full game schedule HERE.
    • 4.4-star rating on Trip Advisor (245 reviews)
11. Salisbury House & Gardens
    • The gorgeous Salisbury House was built back in the 1920s and was modeled and named after the King's House in Salisbury, England. You can visit the house and see all of its historic architecture and antique treasures via a guided or self-guided tour. And don't forget to walk through the 9,000 square feet of garden beds that surround the home! In addition to tours, you can also book the property for weddings, or purchase a ticket for one of the big annual events, like the Garden Party or Gatsby Gala.
    • 4.4-star rating on Trip Advisor (161 reviews)
12. State Historical Museum
    • If you're interested in the history of Iowa, the State Historical Museum is definitely the place to go! You can learn about life in Iowa before it became a state, the history of RAGBRAI, Iowa's role in the Civil War, the state's natural resources, Iowa during the ice age, and the history of movies in the Hawkeye State. The best part? Admission to the museum and research center is FREE!
    • 4.3-star rating on Trip Advisor (196 reviews)
13. East Village
    • Des Moines' East Village is located right between the State Capitol and the Des Moines River and is referred to as the city's "most vibrant and diverse district." The neighborhood features more than 100 shops, restaurants, and bars, including popular spots like Wooly's, Fong's Pizza, Zombie Burger, RAYGUN, Alba, Molly's Cupcakes, the Iowa Tap Room, Scenic Route Bakery, Clyde's Fine Diner, the Breakfast Club, and more. Check out everything the district has to offer HERE.
    • 4.4-star rating on Trip Advisor (176 reviews)
14. World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
    • The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates is located in the old Des Moines Public Library building, which is more the 100-years-old! The restored space hosts a museum, an educational facility, a conference center, and more. The building serves as a tribute to Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Norman Borlaug, "who has saved more than one billion lives with his innovations in agriculture," as well as other agricultural and humanitarian pioneers that have fought against hunger. If you visit during regular business hours, there is no admission fee.
    • 4.8-star rating on Trip Advisor (80 reviews)
15. Science Center of Iowa
    • Last, but not least, is the Science Center of Iowa. The museum is fun for all ages with hands-on exhibits, interactive demonstrations, the A-ha! Store, and a 50-foot planetarium called the Star Theater. Learn about zoology, meteorology, geology, astronomy, engineering, and more! Check out a list of current exhibits on display HERE.
    • 4.1-star rating on Trip Advisor (263 reviews)

Looking for Des Moines' best restaurants? Click HERE!