Top Johnston Venues

• Spaces for 200 Guests

Voas Nature Area is a 705-acre public nature area and education center operated by Dallas County Conservation, located near Minburn, Iowa. The property encompasses oak and hickory forest, tallgrass prairie, and wetland complex, with over five miles of mowed trails suited to hiking and cross-country skiing in all seasons. The grounds include a seasonal observation deck and picnic tables, making the area available for permitted special events through the Dallas County Conservation Board. The on-site Voas Nature Area Museum — open by appointment — houses a collection of rocks, minerals, fossils, and stone tools that trace the natural and cultural history of Iowa, from prehistoric habitats to the Henry Voas family farm that first settled the land in 1863. Event use of the property requires a permit; the Conservation Board office coordinates reservations and can provide pricing details.

• Spaces for 150 Guests

• Spaces for 12-200 Guests
• 1 Event Space
• 1 Meeting Space

The Indianola Activity Center is a multi-purpose event and community facility operated by the City of Indianola Parks and Recreation Department, located at 2204 W. 2nd Avenue in Indianola, Iowa. The center serves as the department's headquarters and hosts a wide range of private events, city meetings, and community gatherings throughout the year. The Buxton Room is the center's signature event space, accommodating up to 200 guests for receptions, birthday and anniversary celebrations, family reunions, and more. It comes fully equipped with 35 round folding tables, 288 folding chairs, 15 rectangle tables, a public address system with lectern, a projector screen, and a full kitchen with stove, refrigerator, and microwave. The space is ADA accessible and offers complimentary WiFi. A smaller Arts and Crafts Room accommodates up to 12 guests for intimate meetings or small group gatherings, complete with folding tables, chairs, and a sink. The Indianola Activity Center is an affordable and flexible venue option for Warren County and the greater Des Moines area, with daily and hourly rental options available seven days a week.

• 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 320 Guests