Western Gateway

Des Moines

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

Popular places to visit

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park featuring a high rise building, a city and outdoor art

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 browsing the exhibits at 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 theater scene.

Western Gateway Park
Adventureland

Adventureland

Bring the family to Adventureland and enjoy this exciting amusement 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 theater scene and lively festivals.

Principal Park
Iowa State Capitol Building which includes 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 P7,951 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P7,951
P8,906 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,009 reviews)
"Can’t say enough about the dining options on property. The café coffee is some of the best I’ve ever had. The mac & cheese there is to die for. And the daily happy hour at the upscale restaurant was also amazing. Staff was amazing and I certainly will never stay anywhere else in Iowa."

Reviewed on Aug 6, 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
The price is P4,455 per night from Aug 20 to Aug 21
P4,455
P4,989 total
Aug 20 - Aug 21
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Urbandale. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
5.6/10 (535 reviews)
"The water park is nice because my kids love to swim. We were there for 3 nights and i beer the kids swam for 12 hours. I wish the arcade was cheaper but it was okay. Had some plumbing issues but overall a good stay."

Reviewed on Aug 6, 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 P4,227 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P4,227
P4,735 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,576 reviews)
"Near the airport and great shuttle service to and from."

Reviewed on Aug 5, 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 P7,692 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P7,692
P8,615 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 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 Aug 3, 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 P3,882 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P3,882
P4,348 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in West Des Moines. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (497 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 Aug 4, 2025

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA
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 P5,572 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P5,572
P6,241 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Johnston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,768 reviews)
"An overall good place to stay and not a bad location!"

Reviewed on Aug 7, 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

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Sherman Hill and surrounding area, you can visit Hoyt Sherman Place and John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

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

Downtown Des Moines

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

Court District is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Science Center of Iowa and Polk County Courthouse while in the area.

Court District
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Woodland Heights

While Woodland Heights might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Hoyt Sherman Place and John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

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 which includes a lake or waterhole

Grays Lake

Though Grays Lake might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Gray’s Lake Park and Lauridsen Amphitheater.

Grays Lake

Western Gateway