Drake Travel Guide
Tourist Guide

Popular places to visit

Jordan Creek Town Center
You can do some window-shopping at Jordan Creek Town Center during your visit to West Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music or attend a sporting event.

Iowa State Fairgrounds
Enjoy an outing to Iowa State Fairgrounds during your stay in Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.

Iowa Events Center
Learn about the events happening in Iowa Events Center during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theatre scene.

Principal Park
Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and great live music.

Iowa State Capitol Building
A city landmark, this interesting building showcases design and architectural features that created a grand impression in the late 1800s and still inspire today.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Experience the tropics in an indoor garden oasis nearly 100 years old alongside a meandering river in this Midwestern city.
Our pick of the best Drake Hotel Deals

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University
The breakfast menu was awesome! Waffles, fresh fruit, eggs-small scrambled and hard boiled, bacon, toast, juices, coffee and more! Best continental I’ve seen in awhile! The hotel was spotless, as was our room! Excellent and all staff was very cheerful and helpful!! Our dog loved it there too!!
Reviewed on 30 Mar 2026

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Staff was very friendly and hotel was beautiful!
Reviewed on 31 Mar 2026

Wildwood Lodge
The rooms were extremely clean, the staff were outstandingly amazing, the breakfast every morning felt like home cooking and tasted just like it to, and the pool area was perfect for children and adults! Overall 10/10 love this place!
Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026

Des Lux Hotel
Breakfast ,great choices!
Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Clean room, friendly staff, adequate breakfast.
Reviewed on 31 Mar 2026

Hyatt Place West Des Moines Jordan Creek
Staff was friendly but sometimes difficult to find, not always at the front desk - it felt like the front desk was asked to be the front desk, PM housekeeping, bar tenders and all other staff at the same time. Room was clean. Housekeeping is by request only if you’re there multiple nights. Parking ...
Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Drake

Woodland Heights
While Woodland Heights isn't home to many top sights, Hoyt Sherman Place and Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden are some notable places to visit nearby.

North of Grand
North of Grand might not have many top sights, but Salisbury House and Des Moines Art Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Sherman Hill
When in Sherman Hill, you can plan a visit to Hoyt Sherman Place and 801 Grand, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Beaverdale
While Beaverdale isn't home to many top sights, Merle Hay Mall and Knapp Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

Waveland Park
If you're spending some time in Waveland Park, Waveland Municipal Golf Course and Des Moines Community Playhouse are top sights worth seeing.

Western Gateway
While visiting Western Gateway, you might make a stop by sights like John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
