Western Gateway Travel Guide

Des Moines

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park which includes a high-rise building, a garden and a city
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park featuring outdoor art and a park
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park featuring a city, outdoor art and a park
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park showing a park, cuddly or friendly animals and outdoor art
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park which includes outdoor art and a garden

Popular places to visit

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park which includes a high-rise building, a garden and a city

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Whimsical, entertaining and provocative can easily describe the artwork at this outdoor gallery that provides new meaning and life to sculptures.

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Pappajohn Sculpture Park during your travels in Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals and great live music.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Western Gateway Park

Western Gateway Park

After visiting Western Gateway Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Des Moines. Discover the area's top-notch restaurants and its acclaimed theatre scene.

Western Gateway Park
Adventureland

Adventureland

Bring the family to Adventureland and enjoy this exciting theme park in Altoona. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.

Adventureland
Principal Park

Principal Park

Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals and acclaimed theatre scene.

Principal Park
Iowa State Capitol Building featuring a statue or sculpture

Iowa State Capitol Building

A city landmark, this interesting building showcases design and architectural features that created a grand impression in the late 1800s and still inspire today.

Iowa State Capitol Building

Top hotels in Western Gateway

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton

4.5 out of 5
1000 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp2.404.414 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
Rp2.404.414
Rp2.692.943 total
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,036 reviews)
"Great space!"

Reviewed on 24 Sept 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines

3 out of 5
5000 Merle Hay Rd, Urbandale, IA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.180.866 per night from 30 Sept to 1 Oct
Rp1.180.866
Rp1.322.571 total
30 Sept - 1 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Urbandale. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
5.6/10 (603 reviews)
"The main waterpark feature was closed. Had we known this, we may have booked elsewhere as we have a 5 year old child who loves the water features here. This is the second time in the last 12 months that we have stayed here and had problems with Pirates Cove water features being accessible to guests. ..."

Reviewed on 12 Sept 2025

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport

2 out of 5
1901 Hackley Ave, Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp1.292.006 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
Rp1.292.006
Rp1.447.047 total
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,594 reviews)
"Friendly and convenient to airport. Shuttle service was great!"

Reviewed on 23 Sept 2025

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines - Merle Hay Road

Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines - Merle Hay Road

2.5 out of 5
4995 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp995.241 per night from 1 Oct to 2 Oct
Rp995.241
Rp1.148.146 total
1 Oct - 2 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,031 reviews)
"Staff was very helpful."

Reviewed on 24 Sept 2025

Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines - Merle Hay Road
Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University

3 out of 5
2650 University Ave., Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp1.928.887 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
Rp1.928.887
Rp2.160.354 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
"The customer service and front desk employees"

Reviewed on 24 Sept 2025

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University
Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA

2 out of 5
7655 Office Plaza Dr N, West Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp924.607 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
Rp924.607
Rp1.035.580 total
12 Oct - 13 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in West Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.6/10 Good! (593 reviews)
"Nice clean"

Reviewed on 25 Sept 2025

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA
See all 774 properties in Western Gateway
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Western Gateway

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Sherman Hill

When in Sherman Hill, you can plan a visit to Hoyt Sherman Place and John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Sherman Hill
State Historical Society of Iowa Museum which includes a high-rise building, landscape views and a city

Downtown Des Moines

4/5(1 area review)

The abundant dining options and live music are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Des Moines. A stop by Polk County Courthouse or 801 Grand might round out your trip.

Downtown Des Moines
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Court District

Travellers come to Court District for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Science Center of Iowa and Polk County Courthouse while you're in town.

Court District
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Woodland Heights

While Woodland Heights isn't home to many top sights, Hoyt Sherman Place and John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Woodland Heights
Historic East Village

Historic East Village

Historic East Village is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to State Historical Museum of Iowa and Wooly's while you're in town.

Historic East Village
Grays Lake showing a lake or waterhole

Grays Lake

While Grays Lake isn't home to many top sights, Gray’s Lake Park and Lauridsen Amphitheater are some notable places to visit nearby.

Grays Lake

Western Gateway Travel Guide