Great Iowa Outdoors - Come Back to Nature

Even as you’re beginning to accept that the last golden days of summer are slipping away, you can still take advantage of the great outdoors. Whether you’re planning a company retreat, corporate meeting, or team building get-away, these gorgeous Iowa resort and conference center destinations will bring your group back to nature and make for great memories that will sustain them during the long, cold winter days to come.

At the heart of the Hawkeye State, visitors take in pastoral farm land, charming small towns, and serene natural beauty. With its verdant prairies, sparkling lakes, and summer nights soft with breezes and bedazzled by stars, all it takes is one visit and you’ll know why visitors come back again and again.

Honey Creek Resort State Park on Rathbun Lake Just eight miles from Honey Creek State Park, this all-season resort hugs the shores of Rathbun Lake. Tee up at the 18-hole championship golf course, dive in at the full-service marina with a canoe or kayak, bike or hike the nature trails. After a cooking class or dinner at the grille, end the day with a cozy campfire.

Ramada Tropics Resort + Conference Center Prepare to feel welcome when you’re greeted with classic Midwestern hospitality at this resort. After floating around the indoor 18,000-square foot water park, your gang may want to head out and explore the region. Shop at Merle Hay Mall, ride the rollercoaster at Adventureland Amusement Park, or play some slots at the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

Contrary to popular belief, Iowa is not all flat farmland as far as the eye can see. In fact, head east and you’ll find the mighty Mississippi River has gorged out steep hills and valleys that appear almost mountainous.

Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf + Waterfront Convention Center The stunning convention center offers gorgeous views of the Mississippi River while being connected to the Quad Cities’ premier casino, the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf.  Featuring a full-service marina onsite and nearby attractions like walking tours, dinner cruises, and farmer’s market. Even if your team isn’t from here, they’ll still feel at home.

Native Iowans know the pull of up north, a place with no specific boundaries but a boatload of appeal. Soak up the sun, boat in any of the local lakes, partake of a double dip at the Ice Cream Capital of the World, or admire the colors of an authentic Dutch tulip festival.

Arrowwood Resort + Conference Center Okoboji Serenity abounds at this four-season resort in the heart of Iowa’s Great Lake Region.  Whether your agenda includes golf on the stunning 27-hole course; swimming in the outdoor pool; taking a quick walk to nearby Lake Okoboji, Arnold’s Amusement Park, or the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there’s no end to the activities your gang can enjoy here. As added bonus, the resort is just 8 miles from the lovely Elinor Bedell State Park.

Grand Falls Casino Resort Grand Falls' world-class golf course offers panoramic views of the idyllic countryside and includes a 30-foot waterfall that flows into a 12-acre lake. The hotel offers guests two pools and an outdoor hot tub, while the casino tempts folks inside with 900 slot machines and multiple lounges. Just under five miles from Gitchie Manitou State Monument Park and a little more than eight miles from Husets Speedway, your guests won’t know what to do first.

Head south for a change of scenery and a change of pace. The tranquil and picturesque region is one of the prettiest in the state, magnificent with quaint villages, historic sites, and of course, the twisting flow of the Mississippi River.

PZAZZ! Entertainment + Casino Resort Explore the great indoors here with on-site amusement park, bowling alley, laser tag arena, and water park. Cash in at the casino with table games, poker, and slots or indulge with a full range of spa services. When you’re ready to head outdoors, swing by the Spirit Hollow Golf Course, take a hike to the Geode State Park, or shop, dine and discover historic downtown Burlington.

Any one of these Iowa resort and conference center destinations will make your team glad they made the most of these precious summer days while they lasted.