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 acclaimed theatre scene and lively festivals.

Principal Park
Iowa State Capitol Building featuring a statue or sculpture

Iowa State Capitol Building

5/5(1 review)

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 Rp2.284.766 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp2.284.766
Rp2.558.938 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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! (1,006 reviews)
"Lobby beautiful and photogenic. Old time elevators. Nice restaurant. So fun@"

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
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 Rp1.215.478 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
Rp1.215.478
Rp1.361.336 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
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! (1,584 reviews)
"Near the airport and great shuttle service to and from."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG

3 out of 5
1050 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp2.210.192 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
Rp2.210.192
Rp2.475.382 total
20 Aug - 21 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Nothing necessarily unique about the property. It was very close to the Convention Center which made it convenient. They also had an airport shuttle which was extremely helpful. The hotel itself was very run down but the staff was helpful and courteous"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
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 Rp1.114.356 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
Rp1.114.356
Rp1.248.099 total
20 Aug - 21 Aug
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! (494 reviews)
Decent for the price
"For the money it was a decent place, but you get what you pay for. It’s a little dingy and rundown but again for the price it wasn’t bad."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA
Des Lux Hotel

Des Lux Hotel

3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St, Des Moines, IA
The price is Rp2.787.939 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp2.787.939
Rp3.122.623 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay at Des Lux and will definitely be back next time we come through Des Moines. After completing RAGBRAI again we decided to treat ourselves and relax a bit before heading home. The whirlpool was amazing! Spacious and just the right temp. Lots of options for dining nearby. Be sure ..."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Des Lux Hotel
Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

2.5 out of 5
5291 Stoney Creek Court, Johnston, IA
The price is Rp1.601.074 per night from 4 Sept to 5 Sept
Rp1.601.074
Rp1.793.203 total
4 Sept - 5 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Johnston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,765 reviews)
"The room was nice but had a musty/damp smell as soon as I opened the door. Otherwise, good"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston
See all 772 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