Merle Hay Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
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 great live music 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 great live music or attend a sporting event.
Iowa Events Center
Learn about the events happening in Iowa Events Center during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and lively festivals.
Principal Park
Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theatre scene.
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.
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.
Our pick of the best Merle Hay Hotel Deals
Sonesta Essential Des Moines
The breakfast was okay.
Reviewed on 16 Apr 2026
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Great service, clean property and friendly staff
Reviewed on 17 Apr 2026
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Room was clean, but had a very musty smell to it as did the entire hotel. We came in one night after a very long day and there was an entire beverage spilled on the elevator floor. No efforts were made to clean it except a “wet floor” sign. The next morning we get packed up for another long day only ...
Reviewed on 18 Apr 2026
Wildwood Lodge
Breakfast was amazing! The egg muffins were delicious! Our room was very clean, check in was a breeze! Staff was and is very friendly!
Reviewed on 18 Apr 2026
Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA
Nice Staff. No microwave in the room. Does have a refrigerator. Kinda of noisy, not the hotels fault just people coming in and out all times of the early morning 3AM on with doors shutting. More of a tenant issue. It was ok though for the Des Moines area.
Reviewed on 17 Apr 2026
Des Lux Hotel
Staff was great. Room was big but pretty dated. Shower could be updated and fridge wasn't working very well. Minor issues so I gave 4 star. Very nice hotel though overall
Reviewed on 18 Apr 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Merle Hay
Beaverdale
While Beaverdale isn't home to many top sights, Merle Hay Mall and Knapp Center are some notable places to visit nearby.
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.
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.
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.
Drake
While visiting Drake, you might make a stop by sights like Knapp Center and La Casa Cultural Center.
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.
