Top Iowa 1st Birthday Venues
125 results near Iowa
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Choosing your 1st birthday venue will be one of the most important steps in the planning process. So much goes into finding the perfect venue in Iowa. You’ll want to consider everything from the aesthetics of the space to any in-house amenities and services. Luckily, PartySlate makes it easy with our Find Venues page. Use the filters to narrow your search — taking into account everything from your guest count to specific catering preferences. Once you’ve set your filters, scroll down to search our curated list. Look for the “featured” tag for PartySlate’s top recommendations. With PartySlate, finding your ideal Iowa venue has never been easier.
Results

Clay County Regional Events Center
800 W 18th St, Spencer, IA 51301, USA- Spaces for 400 Guests
The Clay County Regional Events Center opened in November 2003 on the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer, Iowa. The facility serves as a year-round destination for weddings, corporate meetings, trade shows, conventions, and large-scale entertainment events. The center's Grand Ballroom spans 7,500 square feet and can be divided into six separate meeting spaces, making it well-suited for everything from intimate gatherings to full-scale receptions. The Arena and Exhibit Hall offers 24,000 square feet of flexible floor space, accommodating livestock shows, trade exhibitions, and large events that require substantial setup room. Supporting facilities include a VIP suite with dressing areas, two additional locker and dressing rooms, overhead doors, and a loading dock for production-scale events. The venue provides wedding, meetings, and events brochures alongside floor plans, audio-visual specifications, and an event services guide. Ample free parking is available on the north and west sides of the building, and the facility includes accessible parking, drop-off areas, wheelchair-accessible seating, and accessible restrooms.

Cedar Falls Woman's Club
304 Clay St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, USA- Spaces for 125 Guests
The Cedar Falls Woman's Club occupies a Victorian-era landmark at 304 Clay Street in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The clubhouse is a historic property that has been adapted for private events, offering a distinctive setting for weddings, celebrations, and gatherings of all kinds. A dedicated bridal suite is available on-site, making the space well-suited for wedding parties. The venue welcomes a variety of event types and can accommodate guests looking for a venue with period character and architectural detail.

Hall of Laureates
100 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA- Spaces for 30-400 Guests
- 1 Ballroom
- 6 Museums
- 6 Total Spaces
The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates occupies a magnificently restored Beaux Arts building in downtown Des Moines — the city's original public library, transformed through a $29.8 million capital project into the headquarters of the World Food Prize Foundation. The renovation honored Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, whose legacy in fighting global hunger the building now celebrates through museum exhibits, commissioned artwork, and a stained glass globe tracing the origins of world agriculture. As an event venue, the Hall of Laureates operates on an exclusive booking model: only one event at a time, so every gathering has the building entirely to itself. The venue encompasses multiple distinct spaces — including the Borlaug Ballroom, the Ruan Laureates Room, the Rotunda with its original stained glass skylight, and the Des Moines Mural Room featuring restored WPA murals — that can be combined or configured to suit dinners, receptions, conferences, and weddings of varying scale. The building is LEED Platinum certified and staffed by a professional events team that works behind the scenes throughout each event.

Whitetail Country Estates
1843 Yellowpine Ave, Lockridge, IA 52635, USA- Spaces for 80-250 Guests
- 1 Outdoor
- 1 Barn
- 3 Total Spaces
Whitetail Country Estates is a rural event property in Lockridge, Iowa, designed around weddings and private celebrations that call for overnight stays and a sense of place. The estate brings together an outdoor ceremony site, a historic barn reception hall, and on-site lodging — all within one property, so guests can arrive, celebrate, and stay without leaving the grounds. Ceremonies take place at the Pergola by the Pond, an outdoor setting on the banks of a pond with an illuminated fountain, a rustic arbor entry, and premium white chairs for up to 200 guests. Receptions move to the Vintage Horse Barn, a rustic venue with crystal chandeliers, two bars, a raised bridal party platform, and a south terrace with globe string lights — also set up for 200 guests. A Rehearsal Hall accommodates 80 for pre-wedding dinners and intimate gatherings, complete with kitchen access. Lodging on the property includes the Bridal Cottage, which sleeps 12 and includes an on-site salon and full kitchen, and the Whitetail Lodge, which accommodates 15 with living and game rooms, a full kitchen, and catch-and-release fishing access. Six camping sites with water and electric hookups round out the options for larger guest groups.

The Bee Hive Ballroom
839 Central Ave, Northwood, IA 50459, USA- Spaces for 25-120 Guests
- 1 Ballroom
- 2 Historic Spaces
- 2 Breweries
The Bee Hive Ballroom occupies the second floor of the historic IOOF-Erickson Building in downtown Northwood, Iowa — a space originally opened in 1896 as the Odd Fellows Hall and meticulously restored in 2016, earning an "Iowa at its Best" award for historic preservation. The original tin ceilings, Douglas fir floors, and small stage remain intact, creating a distinctive setting that pairs historic character with modern amenities. The main ballroom accommodates up to 100 guests for formal seated events and 120 for more casual gatherings. The adjacent Speakeasy Lounge — a cozy front-facing room with original display windows overlooking Central Avenue — seats up to 25 guests and works well for bridal parties, groom's dinners, corporate meetings, or smaller celebrations. Both spaces sit above Worth Brewing Company, with access to a full bar featuring Worth Brewing taps, a PA system with stage, and a catering kitchen open to outside caterers of the client's choosing.

Radisson Coralville
1220 1st Ave, Coralville, IA 52241, USA- Spaces for 160-400 Guests
- 2 Hotels
- 1 Ballroom
- 1 Meeting Space
The Kinnick Event Center brings more than 25 years of event experience to Coralville's Iowa City corridor, offering over 6,500 square feet of renovated space for weddings, quinceañeras, corporate meetings, and social celebrations. The center sits adjacent to the Holiday Inn Coralville – Iowa City, giving guests the convenience of on-site hotel accommodations with complimentary breakfast just steps from the event floor. The flagship Kinnick Ballroom seats up to 400 guests for dinner and dancing, while a set of modern salons provides a more intimate option for ceremonies and smaller gatherings. A dedicated culinary team handles all catering on-site, offering custom menus built around the event's specific needs. The center is located at 1220 First Avenue in Coralville, two miles from I-380, making it straightforward for guests traveling from across the region.

Pilgrim Heights Retreat Center
3005 E Ave, Montour, IA 50173, USA- Spaces for 200 Guests
- 1 Outdoor
- 2 Event Spaces
- 2 Total Spaces
Pilgrim Heights Camp & Retreat Center is a Christian-based nonprofit set on more than 100 wooded acres in Montour, Iowa, with access to an 80-acre private lake. The property hosts weddings, business retreats, corporate conferences, and group getaways in a natural setting far removed from convention-hall venues. The centerpiece for indoor events is the three-story Four Seasons Conference Center, which accommodates up to 200 guests across two large event floors, an upper chapel, and a main-floor commercial kitchen. Every level offers lake and woodland views. For outdoor ceremonies, Vesper Point provides a handcrafted wooden-pew setting overlooking the lake, with a cross as its focal point and natural shade for guests — also seating up to 200. On-site lodging in the 12-room Oak Lodge and 10 private lakeside cabins allows wedding parties and retreat groups to stay the full weekend. Linen, bedding, and tablecloths are included with rentals, and seasonal lake access — kayaks, canoes, and life jackets — is available from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Corning Opera House
800 Davis Ave, Corning, IA 50841, USA- Spaces for 40-300 Guests
- 1 Ballroom
- 1 Theater
- 2 Total Spaces
The Corning Opera House Cultural Center is a restored historic theater in Corning, Iowa, serving the community as a nonprofit cultural venue since its 2012 reopening. Originally built in 1902 by local businessman Frederick Charles Reese on the footprint of a former National Bank, the opera house features a 28-foot proscenium stage, hand-painted tin ceilings, and refinished hardwood floors — the product of a $3.5 million restoration project that also added geothermal systems and modern audio, video, and lighting equipment. The venue offers two rental spaces suited for a wide range of celebrations and gatherings. The second-floor Auditorium accommodates up to 300 guests in theater-style seating or 96 for banquet receptions, with a horseshoe balcony, hardwood dance floor, projector, and screen. The first-floor Field Conference Room seats up to 40 and is available for half or full-day bookings. Both spaces are handicap accessible via elevator. A member of the League of Historic American Theatres, the Corning Opera House has welcomed over 65,200 visitors for weddings, concerts, reunions, meetings, and more. Licensed catering and beer and wine service are available, along with professional event coordination.

The Hotel Pattee
1112 Willis Ave, Perry, IA 50220, USA- Spaces for 160 Guests
Hotel Pattee opened in 1913 in Perry, Iowa, built by brothers Harry and William Pattee to honor their father D.J. Pattee at a cost of over $150,000. From its earliest days, the hotel served as a social hub for central Iowa, hosting grand banquets and Saturday night dances in a building recognized at the time as the finest hotel in the region. After decades of ownership changes and renovations, the hotel was restored to reflect its original character while celebrating Iowa's cultural heritage. Each of its 40 guest rooms is individually decorated to honor the traditions and immigrant communities that shaped the area. Public spaces include the Howard F. Ahmanson Lobby — a restored 1913 interior featuring Persian rugs, terra cotta tile, replica chandeliers, and an original marble staircase — alongside the Willis Library, a wood-paneled reading room with a fireplace and Arts and Crafts furnishings. For private events, the Spring Valley Ballroom anchors the venue's gathering spaces, its east wall dominated by a mural of Perry's history painted by Iowa artist Doug Shelton. The outdoor Soumas Court offers a courtyard setting among brick architecture, greenery, and art installations, well suited to ceremonies and celebrations. The Pattee Café, with its three dining areas styled after the railroad era, adds a distinctive backdrop for smaller private gatherings.

Camp Hantesa
1450 Oriole Rd, Boone, IA 50036, USA- Spaces for 325 Guests
Camp Hantesa is a Camp Fire facility set on wooded grounds adjacent to Ledges State Park in Boone, Iowa, surrounded by hills, stone outcroppings, and views of the Des Moines River. The property is available for private event rentals year-round and offers a range of indoor spaces suited to groups of various sizes. The centerpiece for larger gatherings is Clayton Lodge, described as one of the largest venues in Boone County, with a full-service kitchen, a dining hall with tables and chairs, restrooms, breakout rooms, and reserved parking — well suited to weddings, banquets, retreats, and conferences. Smaller lodges on the property provide accommodations for overnight retreats, team-building programs, and group gatherings. For event inquiries and rental bookings, the venue's events team can be reached directly at the Camp Hantesa office.

Lake Macbride Golf Club
3891 Pro Rd NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA- Spaces for 200 Guests
- 1 Event Space
- 1 Country Club
Lake MacBride Golf Club & Event Center is a nine-hole golf facility in Solon, Iowa, set along the shores of Lake MacBride. The course features tree-lined fairways, watered greens, and multiple tee options that welcome players of all skill levels across nearly 3,200 yards from the back tees. The 2,700-square-foot Event Center overlooks the first tee and the golf course, accommodating up to 200 guests for private parties, corporate outings, business meetings, graduation celebrations, and holiday gatherings. The space includes tables, chairs, and place settings, a warming kitchen, a covered outdoor patio with golf course views, and a full-service bar staffed by the club. A large tent on the grounds extends the venue's outdoor event capacity. Tables, chairs, and place settings are included with each rental, and the club's professional bar staff handles beverage service for events that require it.

State of Iowa Historical Building
600 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50319, USA- Spaces for 60-600 Guests
- 1 Restaurant
- 5 Museums
- 5 Total Spaces
The State Historical Building, home to the State Historical Society of Iowa, is a landmark event venue in Des Moines' East Village, steps from the Iowa State Capitol. Established in 1857, the institution has long been a civic gathering place — and the building itself carries that tradition into its event programming, hosting everything from wedding receptions and corporate galas to film screenings and nonprofit fundraisers. The sky-lit Atrium, anchored by a grand staircase, is the signature event space, accommodating up to 400 guests at round tables or 600 in theater-style seating. The Grand Terrace opens outdoors with sweeping views of the State Capitol and can welcome up to 500 guests — a backdrop that few venues in Des Moines can match. Smaller gatherings find a home in the Café Barattas and Café Terrace, an intimate indoor-outdoor pairing with Capitol views suited for rehearsal dinners and daytime receptions. The Cowles-Kruidenier Auditorium serves presentations, lectures, and screenings for up to 245 guests. Baratta's Catering serves as the exclusive on-site caterer, with in-house coordination for food, beverage, and table service. Tables and chairs are included in the rental fee, and complimentary parking is available in the adjacent Capitol Complex garage.

Hilton Garden Inn Cedar Falls
7213 Nordic Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, USA- Spaces for 64-1,000 Guests
- 3 Ballrooms
- 2 Meeting Spaces
- 5 Convention Centers
The Cedar Falls Convention and Event Center, connected to the Hilton Garden Inn Cedar Falls, brings together more than 15,000 square feet of customizable event space under one roof with 113 hotel rooms steps away. The facility serves as northern Iowa's destination for weddings, corporate meetings, conventions, and milestone celebrations, combining flexible venue configurations with full-service catering, audio/visual support, and dedicated event coordination. The Grand Ballroom can seat up to 650 guests for banquet-style events or accommodate up to 1,000 for receptions, and can be divided into two sections — Grand Ballroom West and Grand Ballroom East — for smaller gatherings. Additional breakout rooms and meeting spaces round out the facility, giving planners the flexibility to run concurrent functions or scale from an intimate gathering to a large-scale event. Complimentary linens, place settings, and table-and-chair setup are included with event bookings, along with a dedicated on-site coordinator who supports planning from first inquiry through event day.

University of Iowa - Iowa Memorial Union
125 N Madison St, Iowa City, IA 52245, USA- Spaces for 80-1,200 Guests
- 2 Ballrooms
- 1 Museum
- 5 Total Spaces
The Iowa Memorial Union sits at the heart of the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, just blocks from downtown. Built as a tribute to Hawkeyes who served in World War I, the IMU has grown into a full-service event facility offering multiple event spaces, award-winning in-house catering, and a dedicated event planning team — all under one roof. The venue's banquet and ballroom spaces range from intimate rooms seating around 24 guests to the expansive Main Lounge, which can accommodate up to 1,200 for large-scale events. The International Ballroom features ornate woodwork and a stage, while the Richey Ballroom offers a versatile setting for mid-sized gatherings. For ceremonies, the Danforth Chapel — a 1950s non-denominational chapel overlooking the Iowa River — provides a quiet, intimate setting adjacent to the main building. University Catering handles all food and beverage with customizable menus designed to suit a wide range of events, from wedding receptions to private dinners. Most services are tax-free, and the event services team provides one-on-one coordination from planning through event day.

Seven Oaks Recreation
1086 222nd Dr, Boone, IA 50036, USA- Spaces for 200-400 Guests
- 1 Barn
- 1 Meeting Space
- 2 Venues with Activities
Seven Oaks Recreation is a family-owned, 150-acre property set in the Des Moines River Valley near Boone, Iowa, offering a full-service event venue alongside year-round outdoor recreation. The Lodge at Seven Oaks serves as the primary event space, featuring sixteen-foot vaulted ceilings and a natural knotty pine interior that accommodates up to 215 guests for weddings, receptions, corporate retreats, family reunions, and birthday parties. Three ceremony locations — including outdoor options across the grounds — give couples and event planners flexibility in how they use the property. The Lodge includes an on-site dressing suite with three hair and makeup stations, a full bar serving craft and domestic beers, wine, and spirits through the Coal Creek Lounge, and a staff team covering bartenders, bussers, and a dedicated events coordinator. All-day access from 8 a.m. to midnight, setup-day-before availability, and inclusive setup and cleanup are part of every package. Outside catering is welcome at no additional kitchen fee. The venue operates April through October.

Pella Opera House
611 Franklin St, Pella, IA 50219, USA- Spaces for 250-324 Guests
- 1 Ballroom
- 1 Landmark
- 2 Total Spaces
Built in 1900 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Pella Opera House is a beautifully restored historic venue in downtown Pella, Iowa. After a $2 million renovation that returned it to life in 1990, the building now hosts a full calendar of live performances alongside private events — weddings, receptions, corporate functions, and more — across its landmark spaces. The Great Hall accommodates up to 250 seated guests and features a built-in dance floor, linens, place settings, glassware, a sound system with projection capability, and complimentary WiFi. The Historic Theatre — with its state-of-the-art stage lighting, professional acoustics, and seating for 320 — serves as an extraordinary backdrop for ceremonies and presentations alike. A recently renovated bridal suite and a personal event planner for vendor coordination and day-of support round out the wedding experience. Couples and corporate clients may bring caterers of their choosing, and the venue staff works with renters to customize every detail of the event.

Charles H. MacNider Art Museum
303 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401, USA- Spaces for 80-175 Guests
- 1 Museum
- 1 Historic Space
The Charles H. MacNider Art Museum occupies a landmark Tudor Revival building in Mason City, Iowa — originally built in 1920 as a private residence on a cliff overlooking Willow Creek, and donated to the city in 1964 by General and Mrs. Hanford MacNider to serve as a public arts center. The building has grown through four major expansions, including the cantilevered Kinney-Lindstrom Gallery extending out over the cliff, and is recognized today for its distinctive stone and half-timber exterior, interior walnut woodwork, and terrazzo tile floors. The museum hosts private events in the Salsbury Room on the second floor — a bright, window-lined space with views of the wooded backyard, a small stage and dance floor, AV equipment, and tables and chairs included with rental. The room accommodates up to 80 guests for a sit-down meal or up to 170 in ceremony seating, making it well suited for weddings, receptions, business conferences, and private celebrations. An outdoor lawn area is available alongside the Salsbury Room, with the interior serving as a weather backup. Admission to the museum is free and open to the public. The permanent collection focuses on post–World War II American art, and the museum is recognized by the American Alliance of Museums.

Iowa Event Center
730 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA- Spaces for 3,000-16,980 Guests
- 1 Ballroom
- 2 Convention Centers
The Iowa Events Center is downtown Des Moines' largest event complex, bringing together three interconnected venues — Casey's Center, the EMC Expo Center, and the Community Choice Convention Center — across more than 304,000 total square feet. Owned by Polk County and operated by Oak View Group, the complex opened its arena in 2005, added the EMC Expo Center in 2004, and expanded with the Community Choice Convention Center in 2012, which was converted from the historic 1955 Veterans Memorial Auditorium. The convention center's centerpiece is Iowa's largest ballroom, a 28,800-square-foot Grand Ballroom on Level 4 that accommodates over 3,000 guests and divides into two sections. A recently renovated Junior Ballroom on Level 1 offers 10,560 square feet with its own pre-function space and private entrance. Level 3 holds 21 individual meeting rooms spanning 50,000 square feet, divisible via operable airwalls, while the EMC Expo Center contributes 150,000 contiguous square feet of exhibit space across three halls, each served by covered loading docks. The facility is connected via an indoor skywalk to the adjacent 330-room Hilton Des Moines Downtown and offers 1,400 on-site parking spaces. In-house catering, audio/visual production, and dedicated event coordination are available for conventions, tradeshows, galas, and weddings alike.

Scottish Rite Consistory
519 Park St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA- Spaces for 300-750 Guests
- 2 Ballrooms
- 1 Landmark
- 3 Total Spaces
The Scottish Rite Consistory in Des Moines, Iowa occupies a landmark building at 519 Park Street and brings together historic architecture and newly renovated interiors for weddings, corporate gatherings, and fundraisers. Three distinct event spaces accommodate celebrations of virtually any scale, from intimate receptions to large-scale ceremonies. The Langdon Auditorium seats up to 750 guests and draws on the grandeur of its original design — marble columns, theatrical lighting, a pipe organ, and a grand piano make it a memorable setting for ceremonies. The Dahl Grand Banquet Room, recently renovated, welcomes up to 450 guests beneath elegant archways and marble columns. The Tapestry Room, on the second floor, holds up to 300 guests and features a large fireplace, walnut woodwork, and a flexible floor plan with a portable dance floor and bar service area. All rentals include tables and decorative chairs with setup and teardown, an on-site event supervisor, and uniformed security. Outside catering is permitted, giving planners full flexibility over the culinary experience.

Prairie Meadows
1 Prairie Meadows Dr, Altoona, IA 50009, USA- Spaces for 2,000 Guests
- 1 Hotel
- 1 Ballroom
- 1 Convention Center
Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel is a nonprofit entertainment destination in Altoona, Iowa, operating as one of only two nonprofit casinos in the country. Founded in 1989, the property combines a full-scale casino, live and simulcast horse racing, hotel accommodations, and extensive event facilities under one roof. The Meadows Event Center spans more than 34,000 square feet with over 20 configurable rooms, accommodating events of up to 2,000 guests. From business conferences and galas to weddings and race day corporate outings, the facility supports a wide range of occasions with chef-prepared catering, state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, and a dedicated conference concierge. AJ's Steakhouse offers a private dining room for smaller gatherings, from intimate celebrations to executive dinners. As a licensed 501(c)(4) organization, Prairie Meadows has contributed more than $2.4 billion to the state of Iowa through taxes and charitable donations, directing proceeds toward economic development, arts, education, and human services across central Iowa communities.