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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 45 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 → 6,858 reviews
Pappajohn Sculpture Park Attraction
★ 4.6
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Explore → 5,564 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 → 3,489 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 → 3,868 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 → 2,673 reviews
Gray's Lake Park Attraction
★ 4.7
Gray's Lake Park
2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA
Explore → 2,452 reviews
Hoyt Sherman Place Attraction
★ 4.8
Hoyt Sherman Place
1501 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA
Explore → 1,994 reviews
Iowa State Capitol Attraction
★ 4.8
Iowa State Capitol
Iowa State Capitol, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA...
Explore → 1,697 reviews
Des Moines Water Works Park Attraction
★ 4.6
Des Moines Water Works Park
2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA
Explore → 1,598 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 → 1,123 reviews
Walnut Woods State Park Attraction
★ 4.6
Walnut Woods State Park
3155 Walnut Woods Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
Explore → 815 reviews
Walker Johnston Park Attraction
★ 4.7
Walker Johnston Park
9000 Douglas Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA
Explore → 678 reviews
Fort Des Moines Park Attraction
★ 4.6
Fort Des Moines Park
7200 SE 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA
Explore → 589 reviews
Live Events
Upcoming concerts, sports & shows — next 90 days
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Emarosa w/ Veaux Concert
Emarosa w/ Veaux
Sep 16, 2026
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Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater Arts & Theatre
Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater
Sep 16, 2026
Get Tickets →
JMSN Concert
JMSN
Sep 17, 2026
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Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater Arts & Theatre
Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater
Sep 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Buddy Holly: Oh Boy! Concert
Buddy Holly: Oh Boy!
Sep 17, 2026
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Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater Arts & Theatre
Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater
Sep 18, 2026
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Whose Live Anyway? Arts & Theatre
Whose Live Anyway?
Sep 18, 2026
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Buddy Holly: Oh Boy! Concert
Buddy Holly: Oh Boy!
Sep 18, 2026
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Logan Metz w/ Trevor Sensor Event
Logan Metz w/ Trevor Sensor
Sep 19, 2026
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Joey Harkum Concert
Joey Harkum
Sep 19, 2026
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Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater Arts & Theatre
Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater
Sep 19, 2026
Get Tickets →
Richrath Project REO - The Music of REO Speedwagon Concert
Richrath Project REO - The Music of REO Speedwagon
Sep 19, 2026
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Jason Ricci Concert
Jason Ricci
Sep 20, 2026
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Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater Arts & Theatre
Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater
Sep 20, 2026
Get Tickets →
Richrath Project REO - The Music of REO Speedwagon Concert
Richrath Project REO - The Music of REO Speedwagon
Sep 20, 2026
Get Tickets →
John Crist Live! Arts & Theatre
John Crist Live!
Sep 20, 2026
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Guardin w/ Kennedyxoxo Concert
Guardin w/ Kennedyxoxo
Sep 21, 2026
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Saxsquatch Concert
Saxsquatch
Sep 21, 2026
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Wind Walkers w/ If Not Me Event
Wind Walkers w/ If Not Me
Sep 22, 2026
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Dave Ross w/ Zach Peterson Arts & Theatre
Dave Ross w/ Zach Peterson
Sep 22, 2026
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Big Richard w/ Weary Ramblers Concert
Big Richard w/ Weary Ramblers
Sep 23, 2026
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Everything Yes Event
Everything Yes
Sep 24, 2026
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Gogol Bordello Concert
Gogol Bordello
Sep 24, 2026
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Switchback Concert
Switchback
Sep 24, 2026
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Concert
SEP
16
Emarosa w/ Veaux
1159 24th St, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Arts & Theatre
SEP
16
Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater
221 Walnut St., Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Concert
SEP
17
JMSN
1159 24th St, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Arts & Theatre
SEP
17
Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater
221 Walnut St., Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Concert
SEP
17
Buddy Holly: Oh Boy!
3711 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Arts & Theatre
SEP
18
Wicked (Touring) - only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater
221 Walnut St., Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Arts & Theatre
SEP
18
Whose Live Anyway?
1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Concert
SEP
18
Buddy Holly: Oh Boy!
3711 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets
Event
SEP
19
Logan Metz w/ Trevor Sensor
1159 24th St, Des Moines, IA
Get Tickets

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