Merle Hay Travel Guide

Des Moines

Popular places to visit

Adventureland

Adventureland

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

Adventureland
Principal Park

Principal Park

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

Principal Park
Iowa State Capitol Building featuring a statue or sculpture

Iowa State Capitol Building

5/5(1 review)

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
Living History Farms

Living History Farms

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Living History Farms during your travels in Urbandale. Experience the area's lively festivals and great live music.

Living History Farms
Des Moines Botanical Center showing interior views and a park

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

5/5(1 review)

Experience the tropics in an indoor garden oasis nearly 100 years old alongside a meandering river in this Midwestern city.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Des Moines Art Center which includes interior views and art

Des Moines Art Center

Spend time admiring the architectural lines of this art and education center before heading inside to view its outstanding collection.

Des Moines Art Center

Top hotels in Merle Hay

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

2 out of 5
4755 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿2,052 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
฿2,052
฿2,397 total
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,016 reviews)
"Booked as pet friendly and then they charged a fee on arrival for the pet. Otherwise great stay. They do give you a dog bowl and treats for your pet"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Sonesta Essential Des Moines
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 ฿4,471 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
฿4,471
฿5,007 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,027 reviews)
"The only disappointment was regarding the Speakeasy. The hotel website did not clarify that seating was very limited to not available at all. The was no open bar and only a handful of tables that required advance reservations. We had planned our trip and told our guests that the Speakeasy was our ..."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
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 ฿2,160 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
฿2,160
฿2,419 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,552 reviews)
"Nice people. Clean room. Descent breakfast."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 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 ฿3,571 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
฿3,571
฿3,999 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Very nice and punctual people. No issues"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown - Mercy Area by IHG
Days Inn by Wyndham West Des Moines / Clive

Days Inn by Wyndham West Des Moines / Clive

2 out of 5
1600 NW 114th St, Clive, IA
The price is ฿1,883 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
฿1,883
฿2,109 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clive. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Jordan Creek Town Center and Clive Aquatic ...
6/10 (1,003 reviews)
"My response is the same as the page response."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

Days Inn by Wyndham West Des Moines / Clive
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 ฿2,207 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
฿2,207
฿2,472 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in West Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (445 reviews)
Good last-minute stay with 2 dogs
"This was a last-minute booking, and I was glad to find a place for my dogs and me to stay. Past reviews were accurate: it’s in a quiet, corporate-canyon area. As a solo female traveler I felt safe."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA
See all 748 properties in Merle Hay
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 Merle Hay

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Beaverdale

While Beaverdale isn't home to many top sights, Merle Hay Mall and Knapp Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

Beaverdale
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Waveland Park

If you're spending some time in Waveland Park, Waveland Municipal Golf Course and Des Moines Community Playhouse are top sights worth seeing.

Waveland Park
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Lovington

Lovington is popular for its ample dining options, and you might make a stop by Merle Hay Mall, a top place to visit in the area.

Lovington
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Waterbury

While Waterbury may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Val Air Ballroom and Des Moines Art Center.

Waterbury
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Drake

While visiting Drake, you might make a stop by sights like Knapp Center and Des Moines Community Playhouse.

Drake
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North of Grand

North of Grand might not have many top sights, but Salisbury House and Des Moines Art Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

North of Grand

Merle Hay Travel Guide