Greater South Side Travel Guide
Des Moines
Visit Greater South Side
Popular places to visit
Gray’s Lake Park
Bring your towel and fishing rod to enjoy life’s simplicities in a pleasant park just outside downtown in this major urban center.
Jordan Creek Town Center
You can do some window-shopping at Jordan Creek Town Center during your visit to West Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.
Iowa State Fairgrounds
Enjoy an outing to Iowa State Fairgrounds during your stay in Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals or attend a sporting event.
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.
Principal Park
Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Experience the tropics in an indoor garden oasis nearly 100 years old alongside a meandering river in this Midwestern city.
Top hotels in Greater South Side
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
The room was clean and the receptionist was very friendly.
Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026
Hampton Inn Des Moines-Airport
The entryway area was extremely clean when we arrived. The lady at the desk was courteous and knowledgeable. The breakfast was the standard motel breakfast. The desk help was mopping and vacuuming the entry way in the morning. Very nice.
Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026
Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport
Great staff very helpful.
Reviewed on 22 Dec 2025
Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport/Conf Center by IHG
Staff were cheerful and helpful. Clean room! Courtyard fountain very soothing after a long day of travel. Airport shuttle is literally 24 hours, they came to get me late at night in a storm bc they are so close to the airport.
Reviewed on 30 Dec 2025
AmericInn by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Front desk staff is very friendly and helpful.
Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Loved this property! The staff was extremely helpful. The room and bathroom were very nice. We enjoyed our stay very much!
Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026
Check Greater South Side hotel availability
Other neighbourhoods around Greater South Side
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.
Watrous South
While there might not be top attractions in Watrous South, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Blank Park Zoo and Air Lanes Bowling Center.
Indianola Hills
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Indianola Hills and surrounding area, you can visit Principal Park and Science Center of Iowa.
Southwestern Hills
Though Southwestern Hills may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Air Lanes Bowling Center and Gray’s Lake Park.
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.
Court District
Travellers come to Court District for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Science Center of Iowa and Principal Park while you're in town.
