Amenities Columns

$$ | Miles | Fit | Kit | I'net

$$

This column indicates the typical price range of this hotel. We use the following codes: E=Economy (under $50), M=Midrange ($50 to $100), U=Upscale ($100 to $150), L=Luxury (over $150). Please note that room rates fluctuate (seasonal popularity, special events in the area, etc.).

Miles

The approximate distance in miles from the exit to the hotel. These are calculations using GPS data. Distances along city streets will be somewhat different but this should give you a good idea of the distances to Discount Hotels near the cited Interstate exit.

Fit

Discount Hotels near I-80 in Des Moines offering  'fitness' or exercise facilities are indicated with an F in this column. If the hotel also has a spa, it is so indicated by an S in this column. Most hotels define a 'spa' as a large hot tub with built in water jets. In a few cases, fitness facilities and spas may be off-premises (entry by pass issued by the hotel) in which case dressing rooms are also present for your convenience.

Kit

Discount Hotels near I-80 in Des Moines offering a full kitchen or 'kitchenette' are indicated with an 'K' in this column. An 'M' in this column indicates microwave available. If the room also has a refrigerator, it is so indicated by an 'R' in this column. Many hotels have some rooms furnished with microwaves and small refrigerators but you have to request them. We list them only if there is not an additional charge (or so they have informed us).

I'net

Discount Hotels near I-80 in Des Moines offering Internet access are indicated (with an M for dial-up and W for wideband) in the I'net column. Please note that 'wideband' facilities vary. In addition to a network port (usually installed in the docking station), we suggest you bring along cables and your Windows distribution CD (in case you are required to load a special network driver). For 'dial up dataports', you would only need a modem and an RJ-11 patch cord (which you should always have with you, anyway).

To check rates, amenities or make hotel reservations, just click on the hotel name.

Des Moines

A large city (200,000 population) with a small town atmosphere, Des Moines is loaded with attractions - for visitors and locals. I-80, joined with I-35,  skirts the city routing through the western and northern suburbs. I-235 plunges into the central city then angles north to join I-80 and I-35 where I-35 resumes its northward  reach. Bisected by the Des Moinses River which is joined by the Racoon River entering the city from the southwest, getting around can be frustrating at first for newcomers.

Downtown Restaurants
  Can't tell you why but there are a lot of great restaurants in downtown Des Moines. There are several (various cuisines) restaurants at 7th and Locust. Also on 7th but a half block north of Grand is our favorite steak place, Mr. Filet; very reasonable prices and excellent, tender, Iowa corn-fed steaks. If you just want a great salad, try the Fresh Garden at 6th and Locust. Actually, within 2 blocks in any direction is about every kind of ethnic food you might wish to enjoy.

Shopping in Downtown Des Moines
  Now a days, it seems the best shopping is at the big malls. Well the shopping in downtown Des Moines is at least as good and you probably won't have to do any more walking than you usually wind up doing in a mall. The Kaleidoscope At The Hub (where the Visitors' Center is) has between two and three dozens shops and eateries. We really enjoy Yonkers at 7th and Walnut. They even have a neat 'tea room' where you can relax, rest your feet and sip a glass of ice tea (yes, they also have coffee).

Des Moines Botanical Center
  You don't have to be a gardening addict to enjoy this place. A large, geodesic dome is completely furnished with thousands of plants (lots of blossoms about any time of the year and free-flying birds. It is an especially desirable place to visit in the winter (yes, it gets COLD in Des Moines). It is open 10a-5p Monday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Fridays it doesn't close until 9p. During the Christmas season they place is all decked out to fit the season and they follow the Friday schedule every day. There is an admission fee of $2 except Sundays which are FREE! Kids under 18 are just a $1 and under 6, no charge. Phone 1-515-323-8900 for more information and current schedule.
  Located at 909 East River Drive, from down town just go east on Grand Avenue, cross the bridge over the Des Moines River and turn left on East 1st Street. As you follow 1st street up the river it becomes River Drive. Continue on, under the Interstate to the Center.
  From I-235, take exit 12B and go north on Pennsylvania Avenue one block (north of the Interstate) to Buchanan Street. Turn left, go two blocks where the street makes a sharp right and becomes E. 6th Street. Continue north on 6th River Drive to the first street on your left. It is a very sharp left turn taking you back south to River Drive. 

Hoyt Sherman Place
  A late 19th Century Victorian Mansion with beautifully preserved, hand-carved wood work, exquisite brass chandeliers (kept well polished) and completely furnished with furnishings of the period (now called antiques). A theatre, added during the lively Twenties, features a simulated Rococo domed ceiling. There is a lot of artwork, especially in another new addition, the 'art wing'. There is no admission charge - yes, it's FREE! It is open only from 10a-4p daily except holidays. Warning: They are closed during the last half of August.
 

(continued in column 2)

(continued from column 1)

Hoyt Sherman Place (continued)
  From I-235 eastbound - take exit 10B and follow the exit ramp all the way to Keosauqua Way. Merge with the Keosauqua Way traffic and go two blocks to 12th Street. Bear right, go another block to Center Street and turn right, again. Follow Center Street (west) to 15th Street and turn left. Follow 15th Street south to Woodland Avenue and the Hoyt Sherman Place.
  From I-235 westbound - take exit 10B and follow the exit ramp around to Keosauqua Way. Merge with the Keosauqua Way traffic and go past Crocker Street to 12th Street. Bear right, go another block to Center Street and turn right, again. Follow Center Street (west) to 15th Street and turn left. Follow 15th Street south to Woodland Avenue and the Hoyt Sherman Place.

Science Center of Iowa
  A little more sophisticated than most hands-on science center, this one even has a planetarium, laser light shows and live concerts. The main attractions for tourists with kids are the many hands-on exhibits. They put on some rather in depth exhibits which are rotated. One recent exhibit was the "Head to Toe: All about Your Body" which was a very well done educational experience informing about the functions and relationships of many of the organs of the body. Much of what they do, classes and camps, for example, are intended for local kids but visitors get all of their money's worth and them some.
  When we last checked, admission for adults is $5.50; for kids 2-12 and seniors $4. The laser light show is an additional $1.50 (everybody) and the concerts (so we were told) are only an additional $5.
  They have a web site but it isn't very informative for out-of-town visitors. You can view it at sciowa.org. Or phone them at 1-515-274-4138.
  From I-235 take exit 6 and take 42nd Street southbound to Grand Avenue. Turn left and follow Grand to Greenwood Park and the Iowa Science Center.

Living History Farms
  Because this live farm demonstration facility is in the suburb of Urbandale we have included the write-up under that community. see: Urbandale.

Iowa State Fair
  Scheduled for each August for an 11-day stretch ending on the Sunday two weeks before Labor Day, the Iowa State Fair has been a block buster for almost 150 years. It has been in three major films and is always a great subject for amateur videos. It does get crowded (over a million people are expected to visit this year) but is is about the most fun State Fair in the country. Lots of free entertainment - good entertainment - covering about every interest. This certainly isn't another one of those pickled beets and jams kind of thing with an ugly cow contest thrown in for good measure.
  The State Fair grounds are located on East University Avenue, about 20 blocks from I-235 exit 11A. For more information, contact the Visitors' Center.

For other hotels along I-80, check under the following suburbs:

• Altoona (to the northeast)
• Clive (to the west)
• Grimes (to the northwestt)
• Johnston (to the north)
• Urbandale (to the west)