Highest-rated things to do in Des Moines, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated things to do in Des Moines, according to Tripadvisor
"For those who are lost, there will always be cities that feel like home," Simon Van Booy wrote in his 2011 novel "Everything Beautiful Began After," and what better way to find the cities that might feel like home than to get lost? Travel beckons, and there are many great cities to explore in the U.S. From New York to Los Angeles, Chicago to Miami, and Las Vegas to San Francisco, metro regions in the U.S. offer an incredible range of activities, attractions, and cultural monuments to enjoy.
Every city has its own unique history—stories of industry, immigration, and imagination. Plus, each city offers its own geographical specificity: San Francisco's gorgeous heights and quad-killing hills; the bustling boroughs of New York and how they wind around bodies of water; the flat desert of Las Vegas with its tremendous, wide-open sky (try stargazing at the nearby Red Rock Canyon for awe-inspiring views of the heavens).
Each city also has its own flavor. Some metros are practically a Baskin-Robbins of adventure, featuring all kinds of flavors, some of which might be complex, unfamiliar, or even new. Los Angeles, for example, can be experienced in so many ways, from its history as the motion picture and entertainment capital to its modern incarnation as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world—there are many versions of LA to visit, just as there are many iterations of San Francisco, New York, and Las Vegas. Cities, after you scratch the surface, reveal even more treasures within—but first, you must know where to begin!
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Des Moines using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of May 31, 2024.
#30. Rotary Riverwalk Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 821 West River Drive Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. The Temple for Performing Arts
- Rating: 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 1011 Locust St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
- Rating: 4/5 (73 reviews)
- Address: Robert D. Ray Asian Drive Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Wells Fargo Arena
- Rating: 4/5 (119 reviews)
- Address: 730 3rd St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Saylorville Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (25 reviews)
- Address: Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Des Moines River Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden
- Rating: 4.5/5 (49 reviews)
- Address: 1716 Locust St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Confluence Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.5/5 (60 reviews)
- Address: 1235 Thomas Beck Road Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Hoyt Sherman Place
- Rating: 4.5/5 (52 reviews)
- Address: 1501 Woodland Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Court Avenue
- Rating: 4/5 (115 reviews)
- Address: Court Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Science Center of Iowa
- Rating: 4/5 (263 reviews)
- Address: 401 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Des Moines Symphony
- Rating: 5/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 221 Walnut St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Terrace Hill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (54 reviews)
- Address: 2300 Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. West End Architectural Salvage
- Rating: 4.5/5 (71 reviews)
- Address: 22 Southwest 9th St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Clive Greenbelt Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Brass Armadillo Antique Mall
- Rating: 4.5/5 (52 reviews)
- Address: 701 Northeast 50th Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Des Moines Civic Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (204 reviews)
- Address: 221 Walnut St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. State Historical Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (195 reviews)
- Address: 600 East Locust St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. East Village
- Rating: 4.5/5 (176 reviews)
- Address: Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Principal Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (241 reviews)
- Address: 1 Line Drive Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
- Rating: 5/5 (81 reviews)
- Address: 100 Locust St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Blank Park Zoo
- Rating: 4/5 (648 reviews)
- Address: 7401 Southwest 9th St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Salisbury House & Gardens
- Rating: 4.5/5 (159 reviews)
- Address: 4025 Tonawanda Drive Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Gray's Lake Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (329 reviews)
- Address: 2100 Fleur Drive Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Des Moines Art Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (314 reviews)
- Address: 4700 Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Rating: 4.5/5 (381 reviews)
- Address: 909 Robert D. Ray Drive Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (742 reviews)
- Address: 1330 Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Iowa State Fairgrounds
- Rating: 4.5/5 (882 reviews)
- Address: 3000 East Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Downtown Farmers Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (422 reviews)
- Address: 231-299 Water St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Capitol Building
- Rating: 5/5 (892 reviews)
- Address: 1007 East Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Andrea Richards, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 100 metros.
