Western Gateway Travel Guide

Des Moines

Pappajohn sculpture park in Des Moines,28 sculptures located in a wee park. Worth a wee look if your passing through. Thought these two were quite good/creepy.
Pappajohn sculpture park in Des Moines,28 sculptures located in a wee park. Worth a wee look if your passing through. Thought these two were quite good/creepy.
A twisted yet cool looking sculpture with the Des Moines skyline behind.
#adventure “Nomade,” by the Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, a 27-foot-tall hollow human form made of a latticework of white steel letters, which looms over Locust Street, the one-way eastbound thoroughfare through Des Moines’s compact business district. The park is named for John and Mary Pappajohn, a Des Moines venture capitalist and his wife, who have given the 24 sculptures — valued at some $40 million — to the community through the Des Moines Art Center.
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park featuring outdoor art

Popular places to visit

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park which includes a high-rise building, a garden and a city

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 in Des Moines,28 sculptures located in a wee park. Worth a wee look if your passing through. Thought these two were quite good/creepy.

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
#foodiefinds The best Avocado salad!

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.

Jordan Creek Town Center
Saw a swine auction. Many of these pigs were raised by high school students.

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 Fairgrounds
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
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Principal Park

Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.

Principal Park

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 ฿4,485 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
฿4,485
฿5,023 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,076 reviews)
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

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 ฿2,179 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿2,179
฿2,440 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Urbandale. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
5.6/10 (687 reviews)
Amenities

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines
Des Lux Hotel

Des Lux Hotel

3.5 out of 5
800 Locust St Des Moines IA
The price is ฿5,067 per night from 23 Jan to 24 Jan
฿5,067
฿5,676 total
23 Jan - 24 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,025 reviews)
Loved it

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Des Lux Hotel
Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

2.5 out of 5
5291 Stoney Creek Court Johnston IA
The price is ฿2,759 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
฿2,759
฿3,090 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Johnston. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,813 reviews)
We were allowed am early check in which was so helpful. Room was clean, breakfast delicious and staff very friendly

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston
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 ฿2,793 per night from 24 Jan to 25 Jan
฿2,793
฿3,129 total
24 Jan - 25 Jan
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 helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
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

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University
Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines

Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines

3 out of 5
5505 Mills Civic Pkwy West Des Moines IA
The price is ฿3,125 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
฿3,125
฿3,500 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in West Des Moines. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
Clean room, great kickback event

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines
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Other neighbourhoods around Western Gateway

It’s the simple things that make a great dinner. Perfect spring rolls and cold beer are a great start!

Sherman Hill

When in Sherman Hill, you can plan a visit to Hoyt Sherman Place and 801 Grand, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Sherman Hill
State Historical Society of Iowa Museum which includes a high-rise building, landscape views and a city

Downtown Des Moines

4/5(1 area review)

The abundant dining options and live music are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Des Moines. A stop by 801 Grand or Des Moines Civic Center might round out your trip.

Downtown Des Moines
View into downtown from the Capitol Building. #capitol #desmoines #city #downtown

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.

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 Wooly's and Iowa State Capitol Building while you're in town.

Historic East Village
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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 Travel Guide