Rentals
Welcome to the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens!
The perfect destination for your next special occasion! Whether you’re planning a family gathering, business meeting, or dream wedding, our spacious heated 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 of your guests. Plus, we can accommodate groups of up to 175 people! Don’t hesitate to book with us and make your event unforgettable at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens.
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! You can schedule a tour using the link below, or inquire by email to our Venue Manager, Kim Anderson – kim@iowaarboretum.org.
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 per day
Not for Profit Rate- $100 per day
Party Rentals
$30 per hour including setup/cleanup
Rental Information
- Round tables (60″ seat up to 8) with chairs provided
- Adjacent catering kitchen & restrooms
- Fully accessible comfort room
- Projector screen and audio equipment available 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 of the stated times. Please note, an additional charge of $30/hr will be required.
A Note on Dogs
Only service dogs are allowed to be present for events/rentals inside the rental room. Service dogs are trained to assist people with disabilities, as per ADA guidelines. Emotional support/ any other animals do not qualify.
Leashed family dogs are welcomed on the trails, and outdoor areas, in the Visitor Center Lobby and on outdoor patios. Please clean up after your pet – doggie stations are available around the grounds. Family dogs are not allowed on the woodchips or elevated play structure of Treehouse Village. Thank you!
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 west campus main grounds during the function (no fee). Guests will only have access to Treehouse Village and trails located across from the main campus by paying the admissions fee.
Birthday Parties
We have special packages for your Birthday Party, which includes space for food, cake and gift opening as well as admission to Treehouse Village and all youngsters receive a special treat bag, with a special gift for the Birthday Child!
More info about Birthday Parties HERE
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.
