Find Historic Hotels in Downtown Des Moines, IA

Significant historical sites in Downtown Des Moines are probably at the top of your sightseeing list. And while you’re here, you can check out the acclaimed theater scene and great live music. You can also relish a trip to the top-notch restaurants.

Based on our travel expertise, Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton is a top hotel for history seekers booking on Expedia, and it features free WiFi and a health club. Walnut Street Bridge is a short 12-minute walk away. Other choices to soak up the local history include Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown and Des Lux Hotel.

In Downtown Des Moines, you’ll find 162 hotel accommodations bookable on Expedia though not many historic hotels to choose from.

Downtown Des Moines is notable for landmarks like The Temple for Performing Arts, World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, and Walnut Street Bridge. Known for its live music and theaters, cultural venues include Science Center of Iowa, John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and Hoyt Sherman Place. A couple of additional sights to add to your agenda are Polk County Courthouse and 801 Grand.

Guests who book a historic hotel can enjoy a vacation someplace that has an official historic designation. A stately home, palace or even a lodge, old police station, or skyscraper can be transformed into a historic hotel as long as it’s of special interest. Traditional architecture and period features are typically preserved within the guestrooms or public spaces of historic hotels in Downtown Des Moines, bringing the history to life.

You’ll often hear the term “heritage hotel” in Asia and Europe, while “historic hotel” is a term often used in the U.S. though overall the terms are quite similar. The architecture and actual building of historic hotels tend to be what’s most significant. For a heritage hotel, it’s mainly the cultural value as well as how it shaped the community.

Hotel interiors feature the modern conveniences and safety features you’ve come to expect, though efforts have been made to preserve the historic aspects and traditions. Private rooms with updated bathroom facilities, heating and air conditioning, free and fast Internet, and the normal amenities found in a hotel will also be available in a historic hotel. When you choose a historic hotel in Downtown Des Moines, don’t worry that you’ll find a place that’s uncomfortable for guests or simply rundown.