Des Moines Travel Guide
Des Moines travel guide: interactive map, live weather, best time to visit, things to do and nearby places.
Active alerts for Des Moines
Derived from the forecast. No official alert feed is wired for this country yet.
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 61°F (16°C) in Des Moines with clear. It feels like 60°F. Today runs from 48°F to 71°F. Chance of precipitation is 2%. Sightseeing conditions score 9.7/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit Des Moines is May, 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 slightly warmer than average for October. The forecast high of 71°F is 3.8°F above the 67°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 3 PM to 6 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. sightseeing is the strongest bet in Des Moines today at 9.7/10. No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
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 7:50 PM, Oct 26 local time.
Weekend outlook
🌦️ 56° / 52°
Light rain · 56% rain · wind 12 mph
☁️ 63° / 55°
Overcast · 21% rain · wind 9 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 | 7:50 PM (UTC-05:00) |
| Best months | May, 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 May, 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 58°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- A packable rain shell - 4 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 61°F (16°C) with clear. Humidity is 74% and wind is 4 mph.
When is the best time to visit Des Moines?
May, 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 7:50 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 October 26, 2026 at 7:50 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
