Des Moines Travel Guide
Des Moines travel guide: interactive map, live weather, best time to visit, things to do and nearby places.
Summary
Des Moines is a city in Iowa. Des Moines is known for State fair and river walk. It has a population of about 215.000.
Right now it is 62°F (17°C) in Des Moines with overcast. It feels like 62°F. Today runs from 62°F to 67°F. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Sightseeing conditions score 7.3/10 - good conditions.
The best time to visit Des Moines is August, September and October. The climate is continental. January, February and December tend to be the least comfortable months. July is the warmest month with average highs near 85°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 15°F.
The closest major airport is O'Hare International Airport (ORD), about 296 mi away. Nearby highlights include Mississippi River and Starved Rock State Park.
In plain terms. Today is cooler than average for September. The forecast high of 67°F is 12.6°F below the 79°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 1 PM to 4 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Des Moines today at 9.2/10. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Map of Des Moines
Interactive map with nearby places. Switch between street, terrain and satellite views.
Coordinates: 41°35′12.5″N 93°37′30″W (41.5868, -93.625)
Weather in Des Moines right now
Source: Open-Meteo. Updated 10:31 PM, Sep 20 local time.
Weekend outlook
🌧️ 67° / 62°
Rain · 90% rain · wind 12 mph
🌦️ 74° / 59°
Light drizzle · 44% rain · wind 12 mph
Quick facts about Des Moines
| Type | City |
|---|---|
| State | Iowa |
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 41°35′12.5″N 93°37′30″W (41.5868, -93.625) |
| Population | 215.000 |
| Known for | State fair and river walk |
| Local time | 10:31 PM (UTC-05:00) |
| Best months | August, September and October |
| Climate | Continental |
Things to do in Des Moines
Attractions, parks and landmarks in and around Des Moines.
Best time to visit Des Moines
Go in August, September and October. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, February and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What to pack, what to skip
- Layers - the daily swing is 60°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- A packable rain shell - 3 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, February and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Airports near Des Moines
Closest airports with IATA codes and distances.
| Airport | Code | Distance | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Hare International Airport | ORD | 296 mi | Chicago |
Explore Des Moines
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Travel Guide for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Des Moines?
Des Moines is a city in Iowa. Its coordinates are 41.5868, -93.625. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in Des Moines right now?
It is currently 62°F (17°C) with overcast. Humidity is 91% and wind is 9 mph.
When is the best time to visit Des Moines?
August, September and October offer the most comfortable conditions in Des Moines, which has a continental climate. January, February and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Des Moines in?
Des Moines observes America/Chicago (UTC-05:00). The local time is 10:31 PM.
How many people live in Des Moines?
Des Moines has a population of approximately 215.000.
What is the nearest airport to Des Moines?
The closest airports are O'Hare International Airport (ORD), 296 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Des Moines?
Popular options include Mississippi River and Starved Rock State Park.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (cities-us) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated September 20, 2026 at 10:31 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
