Des Moines Key Stats for Meeting Planners
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Convention Center: Iowa Events Center
Airport: Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
| Population | 535,121 | Destination Type Listings |
| Hotels | 97 | • Golf destination |
| Hotel Rooms | 10,000 | • Smoke free restaurants |
| Unique Venues | 46 | |
| Restaurants | 850 |
| Average Hotel Room Rate | $86 |
| Average Daily Food Cost | $41 |
| Approximate Taxi Fares from DSM to Downtown | $18-22 |
| Approximate Weekly Car Rental Cost | $160 |
Nearby Cities
| City | Distance | Est. Driving Time | Est. Min. Flying Time | Est. Flight Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 128 mi | 1 hr 56 min | 3 hr 7 min* | $450+ |
| Lincoln, NE | 190 mi | 12 hr 54 min | 4 hr 3 min* | $465+ |
| Kansas City, MO | 194 mi | 2 hr 58 min | 3 hr 25 min* | $350+ |
| Minneapolis, MN | 245 mi | 3 hr 40 min | 1 hr 13 min | $350+ |
| St. Louis, MO | 436 mi | 5+ hrs | 1 hr 10 min | $400+ |
*Non-stop flights not available to this destination.
Des Moines Climate Information
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High -°F | 65 | 70 | 91 | 93 | 98 | 103 | 105 | 108 | 99 | 95 | 76 | 69 |
| Rec High -°C | 18 | 21 | 32 | 33 | 36 | 39 | 40 | 42 | 37 | 35 | 24 | 20 |
| Avg High -°F | 29 | 34 | 46 | 61 | 72 | 82 | 86 | 84 | 76 | 65 | 47 | 34 |
| Avg High -°C | -1 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 22 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 18 | 8 | 1 |
| Avg Low -°F | 11 | 16 | 27 | 40 | 51 | 61 | 66 | 64 | 54 | 43 | 29 | 17 |
| Avg Low -°C | -11 | -8 | -2 | 4 | 10 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 6 | -1 | -8 |
| Rec Low -°F | -24 | -20 | -22 | 9 | 28 | 42 | 47 | 40 | 28 | 14 | -4 | -22 |
| Rec Low -°C | -31 | -28 | -30 | -12 | -2 | 5 | 8 | 4 | -2 | -10 | -20 | -30 |
| Rainfall - in. | 1.1 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 4 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 4 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| Rainfall - cm. | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
Similar to most Midwestern cities, Des Moines has a humid continental climate that sees a wide range of weather conditions and four very distinct seasons. The summer months see an average high temperature of 86°F, while temperatures in the winter drop to a chilly 32°F. Winters have moderate to heavy snowfall that transforms the city into a powdery white wonderland. Rainfall typically occurs during the months of May and June with precipitation averaging 33 inches annually.
Although there is a high variability in Des Moines' weather conditions, the city's extensive climate-controlled skywalk system allows visitors to enjoy the city in comfort year-round. However, the absolute best time to visit Des Moines is autumn, when the weather is sunny and dry.
Des Moines Details
| Country Code | 1 |
| Official Language | English |
| Currency | USD |
| Sales Tax | 6% |
| Standard Tipping Practice | 10-20% |
| Credit Cards and Travelers Checks Widely Accepted? | Yes |
| Electricity | 120V / 60Hz |
Additional Resources
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