Travel Information

Explore the best of Des Moines, from local eats and coffee shops to unique things to do; all within easy reach of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the Des Moines Arts Festival site. With our host hotel, Hotel Fort Des Moines, conveniently located nearby, you’ll have everything you need for your trip: convenient access to grocery stores, delicious local coffee, and plenty of ways to enjoy the city when you’re not at the Festival.

Parking and Directions

FREE parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Garage

1100 Walnut St Des Moines, IA 50309

From the West on Grand Ave.:

At 18th St. turn LEFT onto 18th St. traveling north (towards Ingersoll).
Right on Ingersoll Ave., it will turn into High St.
Right onto 10th St.
Left on Mulberry St.
Proceed to Garage

From the West on I-80:

Take I-80 to 1-235 east (Exit 123A, left lanes).
Take I-235 to Downtown Des Moines.
Exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a right. Travel south on Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and follow roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines after passing over Ingersoll Ave. and under Grand Ave.
From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left onto 11th St. (it will turn into 12th St.).
FREE parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Garage located on your right after crossing over Mulberry St.

From the East on I-80:

Exit I-80.
Take I-235 to Downtown Des Moines, exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a left.
Travel south on Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and follow roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines after passing over Ingersoll Ave. and under Grand Ave.
From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left onto 11th St. (it will turn into 12th St).
FREE parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Garage located on your right after crossing over Mulberry St.

From the North on I-35:

Take I-35 to I-235 West (exit 137B, left lanes).
Take I-235 to Downtown Des Moines.
Exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a left. Travel south on Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and follow roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines after passing over Ingersoll Ave. and under Grand Ave.
From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left onto 11th St. (it will turn into 12th St).
FREE parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Garage located on your right after crossing over Mulberry St.

From the South on I-35:

Exit on I-35 onto I-235 East.
Take I-235 to Downtown Des Moines
Exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a right. Travel south on Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and follow roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines after passing over Ingersoll Ave. and under Grand Ave.
From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left onto 11th St.. (it will turn into 12th St.).
FREE parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Garage located on your right after crossing over Mulberry St.

HOST HOTEL

The Des Moines Arts Festival is proud to partner with the Hotel Fort Des Moines. Located just one block from the Festival site, the Hotel Fort Des Moines is a modern hotel with over 100 years of history. The perfectly preserved hotel pays tribute to its illustrious past with each room and suite adorned with 1920s inspired bronze light fixtures, eclectic art and luxuries that inspire and invigorate.

The Hotel Fort Des Moines is proud to offer 5% off their best rate for Des Moines Arts Festival guests. This rate can only be found using the Book Now button below.

Book Now

2026 DATES

Friday, June 26, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 27, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, June 28, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Note: Creative Zone closes at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

Note: Quincy's Sensory Space closes at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday

Location

The Des Moines Arts Festival is located in Downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park and surrounds the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, a 4.4-acre park featuring 31 sculptures by 25 of the world’s most celebrated artists.

Map