Why go
- Capital and most populous city of Iowa, US.
- Served by Newton Municipal Airport (TNU).
History
Des Moines is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is named after the Des Moines River, likely derived from the French Rivière des Moines meaning 'River of the Monks'. The city was incorporated in 1851 as Fort Des Moines and shortened to Des Moines in 1857. Its population was 214,133 at the 2020 census. The six-county Des Moines metropolitan area has an estimated 750,000 residents, the largest metropolitan area located entirely in Iowa. It is the county seat of Polk County, with parts south of County Line Road extending into Warren County.
Where to stay
Restaurants & places to go
99 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 10 airlines, 17 direct destinations
- American Airlines AA (A319, CRJ-900, Embraer 175, ERD, ERJ-145, MD-80…) · 5 routes: Charlotte*, Chicago*, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, Washington*
- US Airways US (ERJ-145, A319, CRJ-900, ERD, MD-80, M83…) · 5 routes: Charlotte*, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, Washington*
- Allegiant Air G4 (MD-80) · 4 routes: Las Vegas, Punta Gorda, Sanford, St. Petersburg
- Delta Air Lines DL (CRJ, CRJ-900, MD-88) · 4 routes: Atlanta, Detroit*, Minneapolis*, New York*
- United Airlines UA (A319, 737-800, 737-700, ERJ) · 4 routes: Chicago, Denver, Houston*, Newark*
- AirTran Airways FL (737-300, 737-700) · 2 routes: Chicago*, Phoenix*
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 737-300) · 2 routes: Chicago, Las Vegas
- Air France AF (CRJ-700, MD-88, CRJ-900) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Frontier Airlines F9 (A319) · 1 route: Denver
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (MD-88, CRJ-700, CRJ-900) · 1 route: Atlanta*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Newton Municipal Airport (TNU); 34 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: DSM has direct flights to 17 destinations on 10 airlines (incl. Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, Charlotte, Chicago…).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Des Moines, Iowa. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Trains & rail
Coaches & shuttles
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.