A FULL PICTURE OF FARM LIFE

With a robust agricultural economy, Iowa has no shortage of ag-related experiences and off-site venues.

From May to December, groups can head to Harvestville Farm near Donnellson, in the state’s southeast corner, for farm-to-table meals, bonfires and if they want to have an off-site event, a barn to drink, dine and dance in. For more fun, there’s a corn maze.

In northeast Iowa, Hawkeye Buffalo and Cattle Ranch loads up visitors for a wagon ride to see and feed its buffalo, catch glimpses of other wildlife and learn about ranch history.

Nearby in Decorah, the Heritage Farm is headquarters of the Seed Savers Exchange, an initiative that collects, preserves and distributes rare seeds to encourage biodiversity and sustainable farming. Groups can tour the farm, learn about its mission and processes, and buy seeds and gardening gifts at the visitors center.

Many farms in Iowa focus on producing wines, distilled spirits or cider. Some, like Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery outside of Cedar Rapids, also have venue space. The Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset, Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyard in Ames and Jasper Winery in Des Moines are clustered in the state’s middle. Wilson’s Orchard and Farm, north of Iowa City, has a ciderhouse and venue set among its apple trees, a farm market and a smokehouse that serves applewood smoked barbecue.

The City National Bank, part of Historic Park Inn Hotel, can seat up to 150 for banquets.

glass, horizontal lines, warm-toned wood and geometric shapes. No two of the hotel’s 27 guest rooms are alike.

The City National Bank building, another Mason City building designed by Wright, is now part of the hotel, and it makes a seamless transition as the hotel’s meeting space. The 2,400-square-foot ballroom, on the bank building’s main floor, can seat up to 150 for a banquet. The bank’s basement has additional meeting rooms, like the Blythe Room, for up to 50 theater-style. The hotel also has a skylight room, a lounge and several other spaces for small gatherings.

Its restaurant, Markley & Blythe, offers upscale Midwestern classics, from a 12-ounce ribeye to Iowa cheese curds, and does catering for all events.

historicparkinn.com

Warrior Hotel Sioux City

In downtown Sioux City, two historic buildings have been meticulously restored and combined to create the Warrior Hotel, part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. The hotel opened in 2020.

“When you walk in it feels very classy, with marble, white, black and gold,” said Kristen Heimgartner, destination experience coordinator at Explore Sioux City. “They do have a rooftop bar, which is very popular as well.” thewarriorhotel.com

Developers spent $73 million to turn the original and long vacant Warrior Hotel and the adjacent Davidson Building, which was Sioux City’s first office building, into the new Warrior Hotel. While some historic details have been preserved, there are many new, luxurious features like chic dark walls, glossy marble and posh furniture in the 148-room hotel. Guests can enjoy a full-service spa, an indoor pool, city views from the Crown Rooftop Bar, and bowling and drinks in the War Eagle Lanes, a bowling alley and lounge on the hotel’s lower level.

The War Eagle Lanes bowling alley is a part of Warrior Hotel’s many offerings.

The hotel’s 8,423 square feet of meeting space includes a nearly 4,000-square-foot ballroom bordered by a terrace and eight other meeting rooms on two levels. It also serves as a hotel for conventions at the Sioux City Convention , four blocks away.

Steaks and seafood share the spotlight at the Warrior’s restaurant, Woodbury’s: An American Steakhouse, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A wide catering menu, from boxed lunches to multi-course plated dinners, is offered.

Hotel Millwright

Amana

In the Amana Colonies, a former woolen mill has become a hotel and meeting venue. The Hotel Millwright opened in the fall of 2020, giving one of Iowa’s top tourist attractions a modern option for visitors and for conferences.

“It’s great for corporate retreats because there are a lot of activities for them to explore in the Amana Colonies,” said Keeley Degel, the hotel’s director of sales. “It’s definitely not your average banquet space.”

A legendary experience awaits! Discover diverse convention spaces, meeting-focused hotels, world-famous attractions and irresistible breakout spaces in Mason City and Clear Lake, Iowa. Our complimentary planning service will cusomize your event to meet your specific needs. Reach out today to see if your group qualifies for a tourism marketing grant!

Hotel Millwright offers 65 distinctly decorated guest rooms.