Western Gateway

Des Moines

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

Popular places to visit

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park featuring a garden, 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 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

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 HK$1,094 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
HK$1,094
HK$1,225 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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! (1,016 reviews)
"Convenient downtown, many services offered"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 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 HK$612 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
HK$612
HK$686 total
26 Aug - 27 Aug
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 (547 reviews)
"The pool area was fantastic and loved that they had lifeguards on duty. So much fun! The downside is that the rooms need much updating. It was difficult to find plug ins for phones/electronics. Carpets were worn but all around it was a good place to stay with kids."

Reviewed on 10 Aug 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 HK$612 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
HK$612
HK$685 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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! (1,586 reviews)
"Drain in shower was really slow."

Reviewed on 8 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 HK$1,058 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
HK$1,058
HK$1,185 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
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! (1,001 reviews)
"Overall enjoyed, parking situation kinda sucked due to construction. Expedia also has the address listed wrong, so it took a while to find"

Reviewed on 12 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
Fully refundable
The price is HK$534 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
HK$534
HK$598 total
27 Aug - 28 Aug
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! (511 reviews)
"I'm thinking about the AC had light coming around the frame work"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is HK$693 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
HK$693
HK$776 total
27 Aug - 28 Aug
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! (1,774 reviews)
"The hotel staff provided wonderful service."

Reviewed on 11 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

State Historical Society of Iowa Museum showing landscape views, a skyscraper 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

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
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Columbus Park

While Columbus Park may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Principal Park and Science Center of Iowa.

Columbus Park

Western Gateway