Southwestern Hills Travel Guide
Des Moines


Visit Southwestern Hills
Popular places to visit

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.
Air Lanes Bowling Center
You can take time to visit Air Lanes Bowling Center during your travels to Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and lively festivals.
Top hotels in Southwestern Hills

Baymont by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Very nice, comfortable accommodations. Would definitely stay again.
Reviewed on 18 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

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines
Had fun and wood come again
Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Des Lux Hotel
Loved it
Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston
Great Staff
Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University
Clean modern rooms, hallways, and lobby. Loved not having an alarm clock in the room as many times they are pre set for the alarm from the last visitor. I loved how the hallway door had a barrier all the way down to the floor so you could not see the hallway light underneath it.
Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Southwestern Hills

Greater South Side
While there might not be top attractions in Greater South Side, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Air Lanes Bowling Center and Gray’s Lake Park.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
