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 lively festivals 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 lively festivals and acclaimed theatre scene.
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
"Always a pleasure to stay here. Everything in the room was great and the staff is very nice and helpful. We will stay again."
Reviewed on 15 May 2026
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
"Very clean, friendly staff and AMAZING lattes!"
Reviewed on 18 May 2026
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
"Room was clean, staff were friendly when I checked in. Affordable for multiple nights. Breakfast was simple but convenient. Breakfast went till 10am which was very beneficial, most hotels stop breakfast way earlier. Overall was a good stay."
Reviewed on 18 May 2026
Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA
"Didn't have basics like hair dryers or clothes irons in the room that are in pretty much every hotel room I've been in. Mattresses slide right off the beds when you barely touch them. Tv claims to have YouTube, netflix, and casting from phones, none of which worked at all. Electrical outlets were ..."
Reviewed on 18 May 2026
Wildwood Lodge
"We always choose Wildwood Lodge when we come to Des Moines. Everyone is very cheerful and helpful. The Lodge is well located to easily get to anywhere in the Metro area you want to go. The breakfast selection is very good and the hot food is always hot. We love it!"
Reviewed on 18 May 2026
Des Lux Hotel
"The staff are great hosts. This is a fun, quirky, $exy place."
Reviewed on 17 May 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 John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, 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.
