Rentals
Welcome to the Iowa Arboretum!
The perfect destination for your next special occasion! Whether you’re planning a family gathering, business meeting, or dream wedding, our spacious and air-conditioned Hughes Education Center is available for rent all year round. With a large reception room, full kitchen, and handicap accessibility, our facility has everything you need to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all your guests. Plus, we can accommodate groups of up to 200 people! Don’t hesitate to book with us and make your event unforgettable at the Iowa Arboretum.
From weddings and baby showers, anniversaries and parties, meetings, or what have you, the Hughes Education Center is the place to have your next event!
Accommodations & Cost
We are excited to host your event at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens! Check out the information below, then schedule your tour today!
Meeting Rental Fees
Hughes Education Center (175-200 people)
Individual / Corporate Rate- $200
Not for Profit Rate- $100
Party Rentals
$30 an hour includes setup and cleanup
Rental Information
- Round tables (60″ seat 8) and chairs provided
- Adjacent catering kitchen & restrooms
- Projector screen and equipment upon request
- Rectangular tables upon request for food / gifts
Rental Hours
Weekdays
8:30 am to 4 pm
Gates close at 4 pm
Requests can be made for times outside the stated times.
Please note, an additional charge of $25/hr will be required.
A Note on Dogs
Only service dogs are allowed to be present for events/ rentals in the Visitor Center. Service dogs are trained to assist people with disabilities, as per ADA guidelines. Emotional support/ any other animals do not qualify.
Booking Calendar
This calendar is currently a work in progress. To enhance accessibility, we have decided to utilize a Google Calendar to display our available dates at the Arboretum. However, we kindly request that you contact the Arboretum directly to confirm your desired date before making any bookings.
Grounds
Guests attending rental functions will have access to the main grounds during the function (no fee). Guests will only have access to the treehouses and trails located across from the main campus by paying the entrance fee.
Iowa Arboretum & Gardens Wedding/Event
My daughter rented a room here for a small gathering for her graduation party. What a wonderful experience! The room and table set up was perfect. There were icicle lights along the ceiling that added an elegant touch to the atmosphere. We had access to a full kitchen that really helped with set up and clean up. The bathrooms were close by and clean. During the party we could look out the large windows and watch all sorts of birds come to the bird feeders. Picnic tables were set up outside and during the party we even sat out for a bit and then went for a walk along the path to look at all the flowers and plants. The staff was very friendly and accommodating! We had a great experience here.
