What Are the Best Affordable Hotels Near the Iowa State Fairgrounds?
You'll find several affordable hotels near the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, although some offer better amenities than the rest. One of these top affordable hotels is the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Fairgrounds, which is a 5-minute drive from the fairgrounds. Guest rooms at the hotel feature mini fridges and flat-screen TVs with cable programming, as well as desks, safes, and complimentary Wi-Fi access to keep you and your family connected on the go. Enjoy the hotel's express check-out, free on-site self-parking, spa tub, and complimentary continental breakfast served each morning.
Cozy Rest Motel is another great budget-friendly option for your stay. It is within a 10-minute drive of the Iowa State Capitol Building and about 3 miles from the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Guest rooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, irons and ironing boards, and daily turndown service. On top of that, the free self-parking on-site and the 24-hour front desk make your stay easier.
What Are Some Luxury Hotels Near the Iowa State Fairgrounds?
For the ultimate accommodation, check out these incredible luxury hotels near the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.
Hotel Renovo, less than 12 miles from the Iowa State Fairgrounds, is located in the suburbs of the city. Guest rooms here include iPod docking stations and mini fridges, as well as TVs with cable programming, complimentary weekday newspapers, and bathrooms with designer toiletries and hair dryers. Families and adults alike will love the indoor pool, spa tub, 24-hour fitness center, and complimentary shuttle that takes guests to nearby destinations.
Grab a drink at Hotel Renovo's bar, or stay in and enjoy room service. The hotel also provides a free roundtrip airport shuttle service during limited hours to make your stay that much more convenient.
The Revel Hotel Des Moines Urbandale, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is also within 12 miles of the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Guest rooms here include flat-screen TVs with cable programming, complimentary wired and Wi-Fi internet access, coffee and tea makers, bathrooms with complimentary toiletries and hair dryers, and phones with free local calls. Take in the view from the hotel's terrace, or make use of the 24-hour fitness center. What's more, you can grab a bite at the Revel Lounge, which serves guests of the Revel Hotel.
What Are the Best Discount Options Near the Iowa State Fairgrounds?
There are several discount options near the Iowa State Fairgrounds that will help you make more of your trip.
The Staybridge Suites Des Moines Downtown in Des Moines offers discounts to members of the military and government workers. Centrally located in Des Moines, this hotel features guest rooms that come with kitchens that include stovetops, microwaves, and full-sized refrigerators. You can use these tools to prepare meals and snacks in your room, allowing you to save even more during your stay. In addition, wired and Wi-Fi internet access is free, and families will also be treated to 43-inch LED TVs with digital programming.
Enjoy the hotel's indoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, and spa tub, as well as the complimentary reception held on select days. A free buffet breakfast is served on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and on weekends from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown offers senior discounts. Located in the historic East Village of Des Moines, this hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Iowa Events Center and less than a mile from the Wells Fargo Arena. Enjoy guest rooms with premium bedding and furnished sofa beds, mini refrigerators, microwaves, 37-inch LCD TVs with satellite programming, and Wi-Fi internet access (available for a surcharge).
Families will love the amenities at the Embassy Suites, including an indoor pool, complimentary Wi-Fi access, a 24-hour fitness center, and a complimentary shuttle that operates within 2 miles of the hotel. Enjoy a meal at Liberty's, the hotel restaurant, and grab the complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast available each day.
What Is There To See and Do at the Iowa State Fair?
If you're in town for the Iowa State Fair held each year over 11 days in August, there is so much to see and do. Enjoy shopping, an incredible variety of food options, carnival rides, art shows, agricultural competitions, and much more.
The Iowa State Fair was founded in 1854 and has been held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds site since 1886. The fair is one of the most famous and largest state fairs in the United States, and attracts more than one million visitors annually.
In the Agricultural Building, you can check out the butter cow, which has been a staple of the Iowa State Fair since H. K. Daniels first sculpted one in 1911. Since 1960, Norma "Duffy" Lyon has been sculpting fantastic butter figures, including not just all six breeds of dairy cows, but also butter versions of Peanuts characters, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Grant Wood's American Gothic, Garth Brooks, Iowa native John Wayne, and even a butter version of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper.
You'll also have the chance to enjoy various food offerings at more than 200 food stands on the Iowa State Fair site, ranging from healthy and gluten-free meals to fry options. The fair is famous for its food on a stick, including distinctive deep-fried versions of cheesecake, Oreos, Snickers, and even fried Cokes. Try out a pickle dawg, a ham, or pastrami with cream cheese and a pickle and butter: first introduced to the fair in 2011. Other exciting food options include pork chop, the Buffalo chicken chimichanga, and bacon-wrapped hot dogs dipped in cornmeal batter.
Whether you're in town for the Iowa State Fair or for something else — a concert, a trade show, or business — there are a wide variety of accommodations near the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. From luxury hotels to budget-friendly options, you'll find something here for you and your family.