Merle Hay Travel Guide
Des Moines
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 acclaimed theatre scene 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 acclaimed theatre scene.
Principal Park
Catch an event at Principal Park during your trip to Des Moines. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and great live music.
Iowa State Capitol Building
After visiting Iowa State Capitol Building, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals and acclaimed theatre scene.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Explore the great outdoors at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, a lovely green space in Des Moines. Experience the area's lively festivals or attend a sporting event.
Top hotels in Merle Hay
Sonesta Essential Des Moines
Clean room, better than average towels, breakfast with eggs and sausage was good.
Reviewed on 31 Mar 2026
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Staff was very friendly and hotel was beautiful!
Reviewed on 31 Mar 2026
Wildwood Lodge
Great customer service and breakfast.
Reviewed on 30 Mar 2026
Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University
The breakfast menu was awesome! Waffles, fresh fruit, eggs-small scrambled and hard boiled, bacon, toast, juices, coffee and more! Best continental I’ve seen in awhile! The hotel was spotless, as was our room! Excellent and all staff was very cheerful and helpful!! Our dog loved it there too!!
Reviewed on 30 Mar 2026
Des Lux Hotel
Our room was beautiful and clean, staff was so kind, the breakfast was wonderful. Our first day we went to breakfast early, our second day we went later and the food quality was still great which means they were on top of it!! the lobby is beautiful, the hotels location was perfect we walked everywhere ...
Reviewed on 31 Mar 2026
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
Clean room, friendly staff, adequate breakfast.
Reviewed on 31 Mar 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 Des Moines Community Playhouse.
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.
