Top Ames Venues

• Spaces for 40-500 Guests
• 3 Ballrooms
• 8 Museums
• 8 Total Spaces

The Memorial Union has served as the heart of Iowa State University's campus in Ames, Iowa since its founding as a living memorial to Iowa State students who gave their lives in military service. Today it draws approximately 1.3 million visitors annually and functions as the central gathering place for students, faculty, and the broader community — from student organization meetings to weddings, conferences, lectures, concerts, and art events. The building's historic architecture, including Gold Star Hall, stained glass windows, zodiac imagery, and a grand fountain courtyard, gives the venue a sense of permanence and character that few campus spaces can match. ISU Catering holds an exclusive catering contract within the Memorial Union, ensuring coordinated food service for every event. A dedicated event management team handles logistics for student organizations, university departments, and public clients alike. The MU offers more than a dozen customizable and fixed-setup rooms across multiple floors, ranging from intimate boardrooms to the 4,860-square-foot Durham Great Hall, which seats up to 500 in theater configuration. Outdoor terraces on the building's south side provide additional space for open-air gatherings. A/V equipment is available in all major spaces, and the venue's experienced wedding team — reachable at weddings@iastate.edu — coordinates receptions and ceremonies throughout the facility.

If your dreams go beyond pins and inspiration boards, Northbridge Event Center just might be the perfect place to bring them to life. Located in the heart of Des Moines, IA, Northbridge offers a welcoming and versatile space where your special day can unfold effortlessly—from "I do" to the last dance. With a passion for hospitality and a network of exceptional vendors, our team is here to help create an experience your guests will talk about for years to come. Northbridge Event Center features over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, accommodating up to 300 guests for reception seating. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, the venue adapts beautifully to your vision. We proudly host a wide range of occasions—from weddings and engagements to birthdays, reunions, fundraisers, and corporate events. On your big day, you’ll have access to a private bridal suite and groom’s lounge—perfect spaces for relaxing and getting ready with your closest friends and family. Ceremonies can take place outdoors against a scenic backdrop of trees and a pond with a fountain, or indoors in our light-filled reception hall. The main banquet space features soaring 24-foot neutral-toned walls and an open, modern-industrial aesthetic that serves as a stylish blank canvas for any theme or décor. A portable stage is also available for live music or special performances. From the moment you start planning to the final send-off, our experienced staff is here to support you every step of the way. We offer essential rental items, manage setup and teardown, and welcome your favorite outside vendors to ensure your celebration reflects your unique style. Plus, with ample on-site parking, your guests will enjoy a smooth and stress-free arrival. At Northbridge Event Center, we don’t just host events—we help make memories. Let’s create something unforgettable, together.

• Spaces for 450 Guests

• Spaces for 50-350 Guests
• 2 Outdoor Spaces
• 1 Event Space
• 3 Gardens

The Iowa Arboretum & Gardens is a community-supported public garden set on landscaped grounds in Madrid, Iowa, offering outdoor and indoor event spaces for weddings, receptions, corporate gatherings, showers, and anniversaries. Surrounded by botanical gardens, tree groves, native prairie trails, and interactive natural spaces, the arboretum provides a distinctive natural backdrop that sets it apart from traditional banquet venues. The Hughes Education Center serves as the primary indoor event space, accommodating up to 175 guests with 22 sixty-inch round tables, large windows overlooking the grounds, and access to a full catering kitchen, wireless internet, and audio equipment. Outdoor ceremony areas seat up to 200 guests, with a sound system available and four hours of pre-ceremony access included. For intimate gatherings, the Treehouse Venue offers a micro-wedding setting for up to 50 guests. Dance floor rental is available as an add-on for receptions.

• 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.

• 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.

• Spaces for 220-350 Guests
• 2 Event Spaces

The District Venue is a full-service event space in Ankeny, Iowa, set within the Prairie Trail development in the Des Moines metro area. The two-story, 5,000-square-foot facility was designed for weddings and private events of all sizes, accommodating up to 350 guests for receptions and up to 220 for ceremonies in the loft level above. The venue's industrial-modern aesthetic pairs clean lines and warm lighting with all-inclusive service — in-house catering offered in buffet, plated, or family-style formats, a full-service bar, Chiavari chairs, linens, tableware, and an AV system with projectors and cordless microphones, all included in the rental fee. A dedicated on-site event coordinator is provided with every booking, and a newly remodeled bridal suite is available for wedding parties getting ready on-site. With an open vendor policy for everything outside food and beverage, 16-hour event access, elevator accessibility, and complimentary parking, The District Venue is built to accommodate a wide range of celebrations without the need to coordinate multiple venues or outside catering.

• Spaces for 10-577 Guests
• 3 Hotels
• 1 Ballroom
• 2 Meeting Spaces

The Courtyard by Marriott Des Moines Ankeny is a full-service hotel and event venue in Ankeny, Iowa, situated directly off Interstate 35 approximately ten minutes north of downtown Des Moines and twenty minutes from Des Moines International Airport. The property features more than 6,300 square feet of flexible event space across six configurable rooms, accommodating gatherings of up to 432 seated guests or up to 577 in a theater arrangement. At the center of the event offering is the Grand Ballroom — 5,280 square feet divisible into four individual salons — suited for wedding receptions, galas, corporate events, and banquets. The ballroom features a built-in dance floor and 13-foot ceilings. A smaller meeting room and boardroom round out the portfolio for more intimate gatherings. The hotel's events team and on-site catering support planning from initial consultation through event day. With 119 guest rooms and suites on property, the Courtyard Des Moines Ankeny provides a convenient option for guests traveling for multi-day celebrations.

• Spaces for 200 Guests
• 1 Bar
• 1 Ballroom
• 1 Historic Space

Founders Banquet Hall is a remodeled event space in Bondurant, Iowa, housed in a building dating to the 1880s. Neutral walls, hardwood floors, and a row of arched natural-light windows give the hall a character well-suited to weddings, anniversary parties, corporate functions, birthdays, and holiday gatherings. The space accommodates up to 200 guests and comes with a full bar and catering menu. Servers and bartenders are included at no additional charge, and events can run as late as 2 a.m. Tours are available during business hours on a self-guided basis or by appointment.

• Spaces for 40-325 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 2 Event Spaces
• 1 Meeting Space

Za-Ga-Zig Shrine is a Masonic fraternal organization and event venue located in Altoona, Iowa, just off I-80 near Adventureland Drive. The temple grounds sit within a mile of Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Adventureland Amusement Park, and numerous hotels, making it a convenient gathering point for guests traveling from across the region. The facility centers on the Pyramid Room, a spacious hall that accommodates up to 300 guests and is well suited to weddings, banquets, private dinners, corporate functions, school events, and organization gatherings — with room for a dance floor and ample space for dining. A smaller West Room handles more intimate groups of up to 40, and several boardrooms are available for meetings. Za-Ga-Zig Shrine offers flexibility for outside caterers, a fully stocked lounge, and a large adjacent parking lot that makes loading in and out straightforward for planners and vendors alike.

• 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.

• 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.

• Spaces for 120-275 Guests
• 1 Country Club

Ames Golf & Country Club has been a gathering place for the Ames, Iowa community since 1911, when the club opened with a nine-hole course, a clubhouse, and a swimming pool. Today, the club spans 164 acres north of Ames and hosts weddings, receptions, birthday parties, and private celebrations throughout the year. The Greenview Room is the club's dedicated event space, accommodating up to 120 guests for seated dinners or 180 for cocktail receptions. The room looks out over the golf course and opens onto a walk-out deck, with a full bar available on-site. The broader facility — renovated in 2018 — includes an 18-hole championship course, a heated pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and a Trackman golf simulator, making it a natural fit for group outings and multi-activity events. The club's culinary team supports private dinners, wine tastings, holiday celebrations, and custom menus led by Head Chef Tyler Christie.

• Spaces for 320 Guests

• Spaces for 10-700 Guests
• 5 Meeting Spaces
• 5 Convention Centers

The FFA Enrichment Center is a multipurpose conference and event venue adjoining the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Ankeny Campus in Ankeny, Iowa. The 60,000-square-foot facility opened in 2010 and was built through a collaboration of agricultural and civic partners to support educational programs, leadership development, and community events. The center offers 17 multi-purpose rooms across a range of sizes, from intimate boardroom-style spaces to large conference halls accommodating up to 700 guests in a theatre layout. The John Deere Exhibition Hall — a two-story atrium-style space — anchors the facility and hosts trade shows, receptions, and registration areas. Two large conference rooms can be used individually for up to 240 banquet-style guests each, or combined to seat 480 for larger galas, conferences, and fundraisers. All event spaces come equipped with ceiling-mounted projectors, projection screens, integrated sound systems, and on-site technical support. A catering kitchen and preferred catering partners support on-site food and beverage service. The facility hosts approximately 400 corporate meetings and events annually alongside weddings, holiday parties, and nonprofit galas.

• Spaces for 50-500 Guests
• 4 Hotels
• 3 Ballrooms
• 1 Meeting Space

The Ramada by Wyndham Des Moines Tropics Resort & Conference Center is a full-service hotel and event venue located at 5000 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, Iowa, just off the interchange of I-35 and I-80. The property combines resort-style amenities with more than 10,000 square feet of dedicated event space, making it a practical choice for both corporate functions and celebratory gatherings. The centerpiece of the conference center is the Main Ballroom, a 5,200-square-foot space with 14-foot ceilings that accommodates up to 350 guests for banquets or 500 in a theater arrangement. Additional ballroom sections and salon rooms allow for flexible configurations ranging from intimate breakout sessions to large receptions. In-house catering, bar service, and onsite event coordinators are available to support the planning process. Beyond the meeting facilities, guests have access to an 18,000-square-foot indoor water park with waterslides and a poolside tiki bar — an amenity that distinguishes the property for multi-day events and group stays.

• Spaces for 55-300 Guests
• 5 Hotels
• 1 Ballroom
• 5 Total Spaces

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center sits in Johnston, Iowa, just minutes north of downtown Des Moines with easy access to Wells Fargo Arena, the Iowa Events Center, and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. The property draws on a rustic, northwoods aesthetic — log furniture, natural wood finishes, and warm fireplaces — that lends a distinctive character to gatherings of any size. The conference center offers more than seven dedicated event rooms, anchored by the Northwoods Ballroom, which accommodates up to 300 guests for banquets or 400 in theater configuration. The Pioneer Room handles mid-sized events for up to 120, while smaller breakout spaces — including the Meadows, John Deere Room, and Bear's Den — seat groups from 55 to 80. Outdoor patio areas and fireside seating extend the gathering options beyond the main rooms. Wedding packages include a dance floor, lighted pipe and drape, linens, centerpieces, and a dedicated event coordinator, with on-site accommodations available for overnight guests.

• Spaces for 400 Guests

• Spaces for 200 Guests

Forest Park Museum sits on a 17-acre complex on the southeast edge of Perry, Iowa, operated by the Dallas County Conservation Board. The facility brings together three museum halls — Hastie Hall, Baldwin Hall, and the Wagner Gallery — alongside a collection of preserved historic structures including an 1867 one-room schoolhouse, an 1863 pioneer log cabin, and an 1880s scale house. The grounds include a 5-acre arboretum with more than 100 native tree and shrub species and 12 acres of re-established prairie and wildflowers, offering a distinctive natural setting for outdoor gatherings. The park is open daily, with museum hours extending through evenings and weekends from May through October. Special events are hosted through the Dallas County Conservation Board's application process, which considers community benefit and resource availability. The facility's combination of historic architecture, curated collections, and open natural landscapes makes it a one-of-a-kind setting for events rooted in Iowa's history and landscape.

• Spaces for 240-300 Guests
• 1 Event Space

The Euclid Room is an event space operated by Hy-Vee at 2540 East Euclid Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa. Designed as a blank canvas with neutral tones and an open floor plan, the space accommodates up to 240 seated or 300 standing guests and can be configured to suit a wide range of celebrations — from wedding receptions and ceremonies to corporate conferences and birthday parties. Hy-Vee provides all catering, food, and beverage services for events held in the room, giving planners access to full-service support in one place. Tables and chairs are included with rental, and a large parking lot with valet service is available for guests. Events can be reserved by contacting the Hy-Vee catering department directly.