Hilton Des Moines Downtown

The East Village is Des Moines’ most vibrant and diverse district, boasting many of the finest shopping, dining, nightlife and commerce in Iowa. Located between the Iowa State Capitol and the Des Moines River in downtown Des Moines, the East Village is highly-accessible by car, bike, bus, or foot!

As a special tribute to Nobel Peace Prize winner and World Food Prize founder Dr. Norman Borlaug, and to provide an enduring foundation for all of the programs he created, the World Food Prize Foundation took on a $29.8 million capital project to restore the century-old Des Moines Public Library Building as the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates serves as: •a world-class museum to recognize great achievements in agriculture and fighting hunger; •a convocation center at which to hold events during the World Food Prize International Symposium -- the Borlaug Dialogue; •a home for the expanding Global Youth Institute, which aims to inspire the next generation of leaders; •an educational facility featuring interactive displays on hunger and food security; •and a conference center and event space available to other groups and organizations for their meetings and other activities. This magnificently restored Beaux Arts space celebrates the spirit of giving, emphasizing the importance of global food security. Dr. Borlaug is honored for his role as the Father of the Green Revolution and the man who has saved more than one billion lives with his innovations in agriculture. The building also pays tribute to the World Food Prize Laureates and Iowa’s agricultural and humanitarian pioneers for their significant contributions to the global fight against hunger and helping to feed the world and improve the lives of others.

Lauridsen Skatepark, at 88,000 square feet, is currently the largest public skatepark in the United States, located on the Des Moines River, in Des Moines, Iowa. The Lauridsen Skatepark held the only Olympic skateboarding qualifying event in North America for the 2021 Olympics.

Blank Park Zoo is a 25-acre zoological park on the south side of Des Moines, Iowa near historic Fort Des Moines. The zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is the only accredited zoo in Iowa. The mission of the Blank Park Zoo is to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education and recreation.

Western Gateway Park is an urban park located in downtown Des Moines. Opened in 2006, the park has served as the hotel to political rallies, the Des Moines Art Festival, the 80/35 Music Festival and various athletic events and festivals.

The Iowa Events Center is comprised of Wells Fargo Arena, Hy-Vee Hall, and the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center at Veterans Memorial. The Hilton Des Moines Downtown is located next to the Iowa Events Center and connected via skywalk.