When was Des Moines ever beautiful? Its depressing and overrun with Somalis, lowlifes and streetwalkers (along 99).
I’d say its about as beautiful as Lynnwood or Tacoma.
Des Moines does not touch 99 (at least it never used to - might now with annexations). You are talking about unincorporated King County at the top of the hill. Des Moines is an off the beaten track hamlet on the water with quaint shops and a great park.
Getting TO Des Moines is a PITA, because it is not served by any arterials. It is almost mile from 99 down a winding hill to town on the Kent-Des Moines Rd .