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

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

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

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

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

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

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
The price is ₩202,505 per night from Oct 19 to Oct 20
₩202,505
₩226,806 total
Oct 19 - Oct 20
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! (1,036 reviews)
"Great space!"

Reviewed on Sep 24, 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 ₩99,455 per night from Sep 29 to Sep 30
₩99,455
₩111,390 total
Sep 29 - Sep 30
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 (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 Sep 12, 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 ₩108,816 per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
₩108,816
₩121,874 total
Oct 12 - Oct 13
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! (1,594 reviews)
"Friendly and convenient to airport. Shuttle service was great!"

Reviewed on Sep 23, 2025

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
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 ₩156,393 per night from Sep 28 to Sep 29
₩156,393
₩175,160 total
Sep 28 - Sep 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, 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 Sep 24, 2025

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University
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 ₩80,946 per night from Oct 5 to Oct 6
₩80,946
₩93,478 total
Oct 5 - Oct 6
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 helpful staff and the clean ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,030 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on Sep 23, 2025

Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines - Merle Hay Road
Des Lux Hotel

Des Lux Hotel

3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St, Des Moines, IA
The price is ₩214,417 per night from Sep 28 to Sep 29
₩214,417
₩240,158 total
Sep 28 - Sep 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,022 reviews)
"It was a great stay staff and service was amazing."

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2025

Des Lux Hotel
See all 769 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

Great, unique coffee joint in Des Moines. I love the vintage Midwest feel, old tin coka-cola signs and all. The snickers latte is worth a try or cool off with a Sioux City Sarsaparilla.

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 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

Western Gateway, IA