Vacation rentals in Des Moines

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Top-rated vacation rentals in Des Moines

Guests agree: these stays are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more.

Guest favorite

Condo in Des Moines

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 154 reviews

Designer Downtown Condo Suite - Splendid View

Your home base right in the heart of it all to explore thriving and growing downtown Des Moines. Highlights: -Projector with 84" screen and Bose sound for cinema experience -Tile shower with rainfall & handheld options -Memory foam king mattress & 1,000 thread count sheets, high-quality pillows. -Coffee (Keurig & Nespresso pods) & Tea station including complementary Starbucks coffee, paired with raw & Stevia sugar and half & half. -Office white stone desk - 100 mbps internet -Free parking

Jul 25 – Aug 1

R1,998 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Home in Des Moines

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 175 reviews

Cozy Historic Escape

This comfortable bungalow is stylish with historic charm. The front porch is perfect for morning coffee. The main living space has original hardwood floors and classic brick fireplace with craftsman style built-ins. The house also has fenced in backyard with patio for enjoying temperate days. It is centrally and conveniently located close to Des Moines Playhouse, ~6 minutes from Wells Fargo Arena and Downtown Des Moines, ~13 minutes to Jordan Creek Town Center, and ~15 minutes to DSM Airport.

Feb 8 – 15

R2,555 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Home in Des Moines

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 194 reviews

Cozy, Quiet & Spacious Home Minutes from Downtown

You will be close to everything when you stay at this centrally-located home, which is right off I-235 and less than 5 minutes from downtown Des Moines and the Drake neighborhood, 10 minutes to the Fair Grounds, and about 40 minutes to Ames for those traveling north. This home offers one king, one queen, and a queen pull-out along with a very large living & dining area, a coffee station, a fully-stocked beverage fridge, a private outdoor patio, and is in a very quiet, peaceful neighborhood.

Dec 21 – 28

R2,254 ZAR per night

Popular amenities for Des Moines vacation rentals

Stay near Des Moines's top sights

Iowa State Fairgrounds27 locals recommend
Wells Fargo Arena28 locals recommend
Blank Park Zoo47 locals recommend
Merle Hay Mall7 locals recommend
Pappajohn Sculpture Park78 locals recommend
Iowa Events Center4 locals recommend

Other great vacation rentals in Des Moines

Guest favorite

Home in Des Moines

4.84 out of 5 average rating, 117 reviews

Forget The Hotel Self Check In- On-Site Parking

May 26 – Jun 2

R1,665 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Guest suite in Des Moines

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 567 reviews

South of Grand Delight! Greenwood/Ashworth Park

Dec 12 – 19

R1,264 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Bungalow in Des Moines

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 312 reviews

Unique Spanish Bungalow!

Sep 21 – 28

R2,895 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Home in Des Moines

4.94 out of 5 average rating, 104 reviews

The Metal House

Sep 7 – 14

R2,918 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Home in Des Moines

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 322 reviews

Quiet Hideaway Retreat/1 King/2 Queen beds

Dec 26 – Jan 2

R2,394 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Home in Des Moines

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 593 reviews

Steps to Drake, Minutes to Downtown w Patio+Yard!

Sep 2 – 9

R1,815 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Home in Windsor Heights

4.93 out of 5 average rating, 282 reviews

• Iconic Lustron home with 2 king beds •

Dec 6 – 13

R2,139 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Home in Des Moines

4.93 out of 5 average rating, 308 reviews

Cozy Home in the Heart of Des Moines

Jan 31 – Feb 7

R1,815 ZAR per night
Superhost

Home in Des Moines

4.84 out of 5 average rating, 238 reviews

Cozy Spa Home Close to Downtown

Apr 17 – 24

R2,089 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Guest suite in Pleasant Hill

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 130 reviews

Cozy 2 bedroom place with outdoor oasis.

May 8 – 15

R1,987 ZAR per night
Superhost

Bungalow in Des Moines

4.86 out of 5 average rating, 166 reviews

Cozy bungalow steps away from IA State Fairgrounds

Sep 8 – 15

R1,349 ZAR per night
Guest favorite

Apartment in Des Moines

4.87 out of 5 average rating, 299 reviews

Newly Renovated Aloha Apt.

Apr 16 – 23

R1,298 ZAR per night

Quick stats about vacation rentals in Des Moines

Total rentals

740 properties

Rentals with dedicated workspaces

440 properties have a dedicated workspace

Rentals with a pool

20 properties have a pool

Pet-friendly rentals

280 properties allow pets

Family-friendly rentals

370 properties are a good fit for families

Total number of reviews

33K reviews

Your guide to Des Moines

All About Des Moines

Des Moines is a thriving Midwestern hub where the streets are peppered with green spaces, an urban pocket in an otherwise agriculture-dominated state. Iowa’s capital is home to 76 city parks, including Greenwood Park, where you can meander through Pappajohn Sculpture Park’s outdoor gallery. There are more than 800 miles of walking, cycling, and hiking trails to explore here too. Water Works Park, directly across from Gray’s Lake in the city center, has 1,500 acres of wooded space where you can cast a line for shortnose gar or go horseback riding.

Des Moines’s arts scene includes massive public installations — such as the downtown Art Route, comprising 87 pieces extending across more than six miles — as well as numerous live entertainment venues, from small dive bars to the Riverfront Amphitheater. West Des Moines’ historic Valley Junction is a renovated railroad district with fashion boutiques, galleries, antique shops, and restaurants in red brick buildings.

Much of the food here centers around the vast farmlands surrounding the city. Des Moines’ eclectic mix of farm-to-table restaurants and food trucks put local produce in the spotlight. You can get a taste of the city staple Steak de Burgo, which has been a favorite here since the 1930s, alongside craft beers and speakeasy cocktails in the dining corridor between Grand Avenue and East Court Avenue, which spans the river.


The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Des Moines

Des Moines has typical Midwest weather — hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring can bring frequent afternoon thunderstorms, but the skies generally clear up quickly. In spring and summer, you can spend a Saturday morning perusing local produce and handmade art from hundreds of vendors at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market. Don’t let the humidity in summer keep you away from the annual Des Moines Arts Festival, which hosts over 180 national artists, held in June.

Crisp fall days are perfect for enjoying the annual Oktoberfest held in late September — two days filled with polka music, German food, beer tents, and dancing. Temperatures drop come winter, and the accompanying snow makes this the perfect time for skiers and snowboarders to secure their vacation rentals in Des Moines and hit the slopes.


Top things to do in Des Moines

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

The John & Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Western Gateway Park houses more than two dozen works by artists from around the world. You can wander around the 4.4-acre grounds, admiring the life-size sculptures and thoughtful landscape design. Sculpture Park Exploration Guides are available from the Des Moines Art Center to promote an interactive experience for people of all ages. The park is open from sunrise to midnight, and visitors are welcome to bring a picnic.

Saylorville Lake

Located on the Des Moines River just north of the city, Saylorville Lake contains over 26,000 acres of beautiful woodland, wetlands, and prairie habitats. The lake has several beaches and multiple boat launches you can take advantage of too. For a leisurely afternoon hike, stretch your legs along the Saylorville Lake Shore Trail.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Nestled behind the John Pat Dorrian Trail on the eastern bank of the Des Moines River, this seven-acre garden includes a historically significant bonsai tree collection, a tranquil water garden with more than 100 water lilies, and an 80-foot geodesic dome where you’ll find towering palms, delicate orchids, and diverse cacti in a tropical environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where should I stay in Des Moines?

    Make yourself at home in Des Moines by choosing from our most frequently booked neighborhoods. We have over 420 vacation rentals in Downtown Des Moines, over 710 vacation rentals in Beaverdale, and over 420 vacation rentals in Sherman Hill.

  • Do house rentals in Des Moines have a bbq area?

    Absolutely! We offer over 70 house rentals with a bbq area in Des Moines. Enjoy a tailored experience with all the comforts you desire.

  • Do bungalow rentals in Des Moines have wireless internet?

    Absolutely! We offer over 10 bungalow rentals with wireless internet in Des Moines. Enjoy a tailored experience with all the comforts you desire.

  • Are there pet-friendly house rentals in Des Moines?

    Four-legged friends are welcome in Des Moines. Choose from more than 150 house rentals for guests traveling with pets.

  • Do condo rentals in Des Moines have a gym?

    Absolutely! We offer over 10 condo rentals with a gym in Des Moines. Enjoy a tailored experience with all the comforts you desire.

  • How much does it cost to stay in bungalow rentals in Des Moines?

    Experience the best of Des Moines with our bungalow rentals, starting at about $50 per day, before taxes and fees. Embrace comfort and style while staying within your budget in your home away from home.

  • Are there family-friendly house rentals in Des Moines?

    Des Moines has more than 250 family-friendly house rentals. Amenities on the property may include high chairs, travel cribs, or strollers.

  • Do house rentals in Des Moines have self check-in?

    Absolutely! We offer over 100 house rentals with self check-in in Des Moines. Enjoy a tailored experience with all the comforts you desire.

  • Are there condo rentals with a dedicated workspace in Des Moines?

    Yes! Work meets play with ease at over 10 condo rentals in Des Moines featuring dedicated workspaces. Stay connected and productive in your home away from home.

  • Are there Des Moines vacation rentals on Airbnb with pools?

    Yes! Dive into the perfect getaway at one of over 20 vacation homes with pools in Des Moines, available on Airbnb. Make a splash and soak up the sun in style!

Destinations to explore

  1. Airbnb
  2. United States
  3. Iowa
  4. Polk County
  5. Des Moines