Boutique Hotels in Des Moines, IA

A vibrant and beautiful city with plenty to see and do, Des Moines is much more than farms and cornfields. Pedestrian-friendly, downtown Des Moines features over 30 miles of skywalks for pedestrians to walk between skyscrapers during inclement weather. It’s easy to explore the city from the best Des Moines boutique hotels.  In fact, Des Moines boasts one of the largest downtown areas in the United States. The Iowa State Capitol, constructed between 1871 and 1886, is one of the state's most recognizable landmarks. This beautiful building closely resembles a European cathedral, with its soaring spires and massive stone structure. The capitol building is an amazing piece of architecture, and the grounds are beautiful. Other key attractions in Des Moines include Reiman Gardens, Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens, and if you want an afternoon of shopping, the Farmer’s Market (one of America's best open-air markets), are all easily accessible from boutique hotels in Des Moines.

See amazing works of art when you stay at Des Moines boutique hotels. Established in 1988, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a public sculpture park and garden named for Iowa businessman John Pappajohn, a philanthropist who gave the city $1 million to purchase land for the project. Featuring abstract exhibitions from more than two dozen of the world’s most celebrated artists. 

The Des Moines Art Center is home to a wide assortment of paintings, mixed media and other mediums. When you walk in the door, you’ll find rooms with works by local artists and contemporary art from around the world. The center also offers art classes for adults and children, as well as an assortment of classes on dance and music. So, if you’re traveling with kids, be sure to make a pit-stop here! 

The Des Moines State Historical Museum is housed in the Old Capitol building, which was the first capital of Iowa. This historic building has been restored as a museum and offers a lot of artifacts from Iowa's history. The museum also hosts events such as lectures, films, and concerts. The museum also has an art gallery with rotating exhibits by local artists. The historical center has exhibits about Iowa's past and present, including short movies that show what life was like in Des Moines in the 1800s through
1930s. You can also learn about famous Iowans like Ava Gardner, John Wayne, and Johnny Carson. Get an experience unlike any other when you make the best unique hotels in Des Moines your home base. 

If you’re visiting Iowa in August, head over to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The site of the annual Iowa State Fair, one of the largest agricultural fairs in North America, it opened in 1854 and is located just outside Des Moines. This historic site has over 100 buildings including barns, livestock exhibition halls, and more than 50 acres of green space. It’s also the home of many concerts and festivals throughout the year. Regardless of where you stay, the top Des Moines boutique hotels offer plenty of activities to explore America’s heartland.  

Don't forget to check out our boutique hotels nearby in West Des Moines and Urbandale.