Des Moines Attractions
Museums, parks, gardens and landmarks across the metro, with today's hours
About this guide
22 attractions across the Des Moines metro. For 18 of them, the hours, admission or parking on their page come from a source named on that page, usually the attraction's own website, last checked October 1, 2026. Where a source didn't say, the page leaves it out.
Free admission
Des Moines Art Center, High Trestle Trail, John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and Prairie Meadows Racetrack, Casino, and Hotel, according to the source on each page.
22 attractions found
Found 22 attractions
Des Moines Attractions
22 results
Showing 1-22 of 22 attractions
Entertainment
Adventureland Resort
3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona, IA 50009
Features waterslides and family entertainment
Museum
Des Moines Art Center
Free
4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa
Art museum featuring rotating exhibits, permanent collections including works by Matisse, Monet, and O'Keeffe, with free admission.
Entertainment
Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market
Historic Court District, Des Moines
Saturday morning market (May-October) featuring 300 vendors selling local produce, goods, food items, and live music performances.
Entertainment District
East Village
East of Des Moines River, Downtown Des Moines
Trendy neighborhood featuring local restaurants, shops, galleries and art displays, including notable establishments like RAYGUN, Alba Restaurant, and Zombie Burger.
Garden
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa
Indoor and outdoor botanical garden featuring temperate to tropical plants, educational programs, and Trellis Café.
Historic Site
Iowa State Capitol
Downtown Des Moines
A striking state capitol building that offers free visits
Entertainment
Iowa State Fair
E University Ave & E 30th Street, Des Moines, Iowa
Two-week celebration in August featuring trade shows, exhibits, art galleries, amusement rides, live music, food stands and concerts.
Park
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Free
1330 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa
4.4-acre landscaped space featuring over 20 sculptured art works, hosts Des Moines Arts Festival and 80/35 Music Festival.
Entertainment
Prairie Meadows Racetrack, Casino, and Hotel
Free
1 Prairie Meadows Drive
Racetrack, casino and hotel complex
Entertainment
Principal Park
50 309, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines, Iowa
Triple-A minor league baseball stadium, home to Iowa Cubs, featuring special events and fireworks shows.
Museum
Science Center of Iowa
401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines
Science museum offering free admission
Historic Site
State Capitol
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa
Historic government building featuring a gold dome, governor's office, Iowa Senate and House of Representatives. Offers free guided tours, Law Library, art works and hand-carved designs.
Park
Water Works Park
2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, Iowa
15,000-acre green space offering running, biking, bird-watching, fishing, boat rentals, and winter activities including Jolly Holidays Lights display.
Ad
Browse Attractions By Type
Every type we list, with how many active attractions carry it
Ad
Things to Do in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines has museums, parks, gardens, landmarks and family attractions across the metro, from downtown to Ankeny and West Des Moines. This guide lists 22 of them, each with its own page.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a public park downtown, the Des Moines Art Center and the Iowa State Capitol are close by, and the Science Center of Iowa and Blank Park Zoo are the usual starts for families. The playgrounds guide covers play areas and splash pads.
Use Free, Kid-friendly and Indoors above to narrow the list, or switch to the map. Each attraction page shows today's hours when we have them, admission, directions and what's on nearby.
Des Moines Attractions - Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about attractions, museums, and things to see in Des Moines, Iowa.
What are the top attractions in Des Moines?
This guide lists the attractions we track across the Des Moines metro, including the Science Center of Iowa, Blank Park Zoo, the Iowa State Capitol, the Des Moines Art Center, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Each has its own page with its location, directions and, where we have them, its hours.
Are there free attractions in Des Moines?
Yes. Des Moines Art Center, High Trestle Trail, John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Prairie Meadows Racetrack, Casino, and Hotel are free to visit, according to the source named on each attraction's page, checked October 1, 2026. Each page lists admission for the others where their site states it.
What are the best family attractions in Des Moines?
The Science Center of Iowa and Blank Park Zoo are the obvious starts. For more, the Kids and Family events page lists upcoming family events and the playgrounds guide maps parks across the metro.
Do Des Moines attractions require advance tickets?
It depends on the attraction and the day. Each attraction page links to the official site, which is where ticketing and timed-entry rules are published.
What is there to do outdoors in Des Moines?
The outdoors guide covers trails and parks, the playgrounds guide covers play areas, and the attractions here include gardens and sculpture parks.