Western Gateway, IA

Des Moines

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

Popular places to visit

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park featuring outdoor art, a city and a park

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

5/5(3 reviews)

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
Some amazing artwork that oddly resembles something out of a Tim Burton movie. Great park to explore and find inspiration.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

4.5/5(3 reviews)

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
#urbanjungle

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
The Tornado and Dragon roller coasters at Adventureland.

Adventureland

4/5(201 reviews)

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

Adventureland
Brigde

Principal Park

4.5/5(62 reviews)

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

4.5/5(194 reviews)

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

Western Gateway Hotel Deals

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
$139 nightly
The price is $156 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$156 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,014 reviews)
"Everything was perfect at this lovely hotel except I didn’t care for the restaurant food. Just not suited for my tastebuds."

Reviewed on Aug 19, 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
$78 nightly
The price is $87 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$87 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes taxes and 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 (565 reviews)
Just manage expectations and it’ll be fine!
"We booked to stay during the state fair with our 3 year old. The hotel is older, for sure. Certainly not a luxury establishment. That said, though, our rooms were clean. The AC worked very well in our room, almost freezing us out the first night until we adjusted it. Our room opened to the waterpark ..."

Reviewed on Aug 17, 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
$80 nightly
The price is $90 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$90 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,582 reviews)
"Chipped tile in bathroom torn shower curtain"

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
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
$68 nightly
The price is $76 total per night from Sep 3 to Sep 4
$76 total
Sep 3 - Sep 4
Total includes taxes and 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! (538 reviews)
"Ok"

Reviewed on Aug 19, 2025

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA
Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG

3 out of 5
1050 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA
$135 nightly
The price is $151 total per night from Aug 23 to Aug 24
$151 total
Aug 23 - Aug 24
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,017 reviews)
"We were pleasantly surprised at how nice and comfy this Holiday Inn was! It was nice to know we were coming back to our room at the emd of each long day."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

2.5 out of 5
5291 Stoney Creek Court, Johnston, IA
$109 nightly
The price is $122 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$122 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,776 reviews)
"The room was clean and comfortable. Microwave, coffee, and refrigerator all clean and working nicely. Breakfast was quite good (toaster oven is elderly, though, and doesn't toast). Pool and hot tub were impressive. Hallway walls and carpet are very shoddy and dirty and spots are ripped. With the ..."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston
See all 768 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 neighborhoods around Western Gateway

State Historical Society of Iowa Museum which includes landscape views, a skyscraper and a city

Downtown Des Moines

4.5/5(711 area reviews)

Downtown Des Moines boasts corporate campuses, fine dining, and unique retail destinations. Explore the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and enjoy easy access to DART transit and skywalk connections.

Downtown Des Moines
View into downtown from the Capitol Building. #capitol #desmoines #city #downtown

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
Default Image

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

Directly east of Downtown Des Moines, this nationally recognized historic district boasts the Iowa State Capitol complex, State of Iowa Historical Museum, and Des Moines Botanical Gardens. Explore eateries, boutique shops, and loft-style housing in its charming structures.

Historic East Village
Grays Lake featuring 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
Default Image

Columbus Park

Though Columbus Park might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Principal Park and Science Center of Iowa.

Columbus Park
See our Where To Stay guide

Western Gateway, IA

Choose one or more items to build your trip: