Greater South Side Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
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.
Adventureland
Bring the family to Adventureland and enjoy this exciting theme park in Altoona. Experience the area's lively festivals and great live music.
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.
Living History Farms
You can spend time exploring the galleries in Living History Farms during your travels in Urbandale. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.
Our pick of the best Greater South Side Hotel Deals
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Had a great stay and was impressed with the staff and the hotel. Will stay again!
Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025
AmericInn by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
The staff was friendly and helpful. The room was very comfortable. There was a hot breakfast, not just pastries. The pool was closed, but looked like a nice area.
Reviewed on 10 Dec 2025
Hampton Inn Des Moines-Airport
We were caught in the Thanksgiving snow storm and our flights were canceled for two days. Hampton Inn is super close to the DesMoines airport and has a shuttle so we chose this hotel. All of staff are extremely kind and accommodating and it feels like a family owned hotel. They made our inconvenient ...
Reviewed on 5 Dec 2025
Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport
No shuttle needed but there is not a shuttle to the airport that's literally right across the street. Found that odd. The hotel staff was wonderful. The mattresses need updated very hard and not comfortable. Need handicap walk in showers. They did have bars to assist in the bathrooms this was appreciated. ...
Reviewed on 5 Dec 2025
Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport/Conf Center by IHG
Great staff, clean room
Reviewed on 9 Dec 2025
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Des Moines West
Clean, good breakfast, enjoyed our stay!
Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025
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.
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.
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 Southridge Mall.
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.
