Des Moines in October
Great time to visit
October offers some of Des Moines' most pleasant weather. Cool, clear days perfect for exploring, with fewer crowds and reasonable prices.
Weather
October delivers classic fall weather with crisp days around 18°C and cool nights. Rain is minimal, and the humidity that plagued summer is gone. This is sweater weather at its finest, though you'll need a jacket by evening.
18°C high6°C low7 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$108/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Oktoberfest celebrations
- •Halloween events throughout the city
- •Fall farmers markets
October Tips
- •Perfect time for outdoor attractions like the Botanical Garden and sculpture park
- •Pack layers - temperature swings between day and night can be significant
- •Some of the best local produce appears at farmers markets this month
All Months
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.
Des Moines Scores
Solo
6/10
Couples
5/10
Families
7/10
Adventure
3/10
Budget
9/10
Luxury
3/10
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