Des Moines in November

Spring through fall gives you the best of Des Moines. April brings the tulips at Reiman Gardens, though you might catch a late snow. May and June are perfect – mild temperatures, everything's green, and outdoor festivals start ramping up. Summer gets hot and humid, but that's when Des Moines really comes alive. The Iowa State Fair in August draws over a million people to nearby Altoona. July brings RAGBRAI cyclists rolling through town, and outdoor concerts fill Water Works Park. Fall colors peak in early October, and the weather stays pleasant through Halloween. Winter? Look, it gets cold. Really cold. But hotel rates drop by half, and there's something cozy about ducking into a warm brewery when it's 10 degrees outside.