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Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Iowa Arboretum & Gardens

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Madrid, IA
Iowa Arboretum & Gardens

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A community-supported public garden that inspires curiosity, discovery, and appreciation of the natural landscape!🌸
https://linktr.ee/iowaarboretum

This unique showplace contains over 5,000 accessioned woody and herbaceous plants. It is one of the largest and most diverse displays of plants that can be successfully grown in Iowa. In addition, the Arboretum manages a 300-acre native woodland featuring century old oaks and a 4 acre prairie.

10/25/2026

🌿 Looking for a fairytale outdoor wedding venue in Iowa? The Waterside Garden at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens in Madrid is an absolute dream—and it is especially magical for a fall wedding! 🍂✨

Imagine saying "I do" with a stunning waterfront backdrop, framed by the vibrant gold, orange, and crimson hues of autumn foliage. It is the perfect blend of romantic, crisp nature vibes and stress-free modern amenities.

Here is what makes it so special for couples:
• Autumn Splendor – The 170-acre arboretum transforms into a breathtaking canvas of fall colors, making your wedding photos look absolutely stunning.
• Beautiful Waterfront Setting – Perfect for a cozy, open-air ceremony with up to 200 of your favorite people right under a giant weeping willow.
• Built-In Rain (or Chill) Plan – Weather acting up? Your ceremony can easily move into the gorgeous, climate-controlled Evergreen Hall or a higher elevation spot.
• Seamless Transitions – Move your party from the crisp autumn garden straight into a warm indoor reception at the Hughes Education Center or celebrate under the Beckwith Grand Pavilion.
• Stress-Free Setup – Ceremony bookings include 200 chairs, audio setup, a 1-hour rehearsal block, and 4 hours of decoration and get reafy time before the main event.

Whether you want an intimate fall garden ceremony or a full-day celebration, this hidden gem brings all the natural beauty without the hassle. 💍🍁

📍 Located just outside of Ames/Des Moines at 1875 Peach Ave, Madrid, IA.
👇 Tag someone who is planning a fall wedding or drop your questions below!

10/24/2026

👻 Get your costumes ready because the spooktacular Trick or Treat in Treehouse Village is happening TOMORROW! This is the ultimate annual Halloween celebration at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, packed with thrilling activities, festive snacks, and tons of delicious candy. All activities are included with admission—and members get in absolutely free!

🎃 Event Highlights:
• Bags of Candy: Collect sweet treats at multiple trick-or-treat stops along the paved, fully accessible Treehouse Village Trail!
• Ghoulish Games: Enjoy fun, Halloween-themed activities and games for all ages.
• Seasonal Snacks: Fuel your adventure with delicious festive snacks and beverages.
• Treehouse Playtime: Explore and play on the spectacular Adele & Dean Bowden Treehouse Village.

🦇 Spooky Details:
• Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
• Time: Trick-or-treating and activities run from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

🎟️ Admission:
• Members: FREE
• Non-member Adult: $12
• Non-member Youth (ages 13–18): $12
• Non-member Child (ages 3–12): $7
• Infant (ages 2 and under): FREE
*AHS Garden Network reciprocal admissions apply with card. Museums for All admissions apply with a SNAP, EBT, or WIC card and a valid photo ID. No pre-registration required—just show up in your favorite costume!

10/23/2026

🍂 LAST CALL FOR FALL COLOR! 🍂

Don't miss the grand finale of autumn splendor! This weekend is your absolute best chance to catch the vibrant golden canopy at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens before the winter chill takes over.

Nestled just north of Des Moines in Madrid, this 170-acre botanical escape is the ultimate spot for an outdoor family adventure.

🍁 Why Families Love It for a Final Autumn Outing:
• 🏰 The Treehouse Village: Forget regular playgrounds. Kids can sprint through the canopy on massive elevated treehouses, fly down slides, and look out over the autumn forest! (Note: It closes for the season in mid-November!)
• 🌲 Thousands of Changing Trees: Walk through a breathtaking landscape cloaked in peak seasonal color.
• 🛒 Stroller & Wagon Friendly: No rugged terrain struggles here! The paths leading to and throughout the Treehouse Village are wide and paved.
• 🪵 Hidden Nature Forts: Let the kids head just off the path to build their own woodland shelters using fallen logs and branches.
• 🪵 The Hammock Hangout: Relax under the falling leaves in free-to-use hammocks next to the Children's Garden.

🥪 Quick Tips for Your Visit:
• Pack a Picnic: Bring your favorite snacks or grab lunch on the way to enjoy at the picnic tables or on an open grassy lawn.
• Restrooms: Hit up the clean, modern restrooms inside the main Hughes Education Center right by the entrance before marching out to the trails.
• Hours: Weekdays 9 AM – 4 PM | Weekends 10 AM – 4 PM.

🎟️ Admission:
• Adults (13+): $12
• Kids (3-12): $7
• Littles under 3 & Members: FREE!

Load up the wagon and head out before these beautiful leaves are gone for the year!

10/20/2026

✨Thunderdome Aster✨
This trial perennial from Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, has displayed beautiful fall color with its incredible bloom display for four seasons in a row!

10/18/2026

Did you know fall is a great time to transplant perennials? 🪏🌱

Here’s why fall is one of the BEST times to move your plants!

🍁Cooler temps reduce heat stress.
💧Fall rains keep soil moist and cool for roots to establish.
🌼 Gives them a head start to spring!

✨Pro tip: Try to transplant perennials several weeks before the ground freezes so they have time to settle in before winter.

10/16/2026

It’s officially bulb planting season! We will have lots of colors to look forward to next spring🪻🪏

10/14/2026

🐾 Bambi, Rocket, and... a literal dinosaur? Matt’s officially a Disney Princess, and we have the proof! 👑✨

This year has been absolutely incredible for wildlife at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens. Part of the job for our Natural Resource Specialist, Matt, is documenting all the amazing critters he spots across our 170 acres. 📸🦉

Of course, it’s not all singing with birds and frolicking in meadows. Part of Matt’s job also includes stepping in when our wildlife is in peril, making sure injured or stranded animals get the help they need to thrive. He’s basically a real-life superhero in hiking boots! 💪❤️

To celebrate a wild summer season, here are our absolute favorite "Matt Disney Princess (and Hero) moments" featured in today's lineup:
• The Spicy Turtle: A snapping turtle that wasn't exactly singing harmony, but Matt still made friends anyway! 🐢💢
• The Bambi Encounter: Just a baby deer acting like Matt is its long-lost best friend. 🦌✨
• The Trash Panda Nursery: Baby raccoon that definitely tried to ask Matt for snacks. 🦝🍿

Swipe through to see Matt meeting his new best friends. Which woodland creature is your favorite? 👇

10/13/2026

🌱Trial Tuesday!

Leaning into the crisp fall season with a custom Pumpkin Spice palette grown right here in the trial garden!🍂 Also the favorite season for our Trial Program Coordinator.🎃👻
Swipe to see how these stunning autumn varieties bring these cozy harvest tones to life, from airy harvest grasses to rich, glowing barks and late-season blooms.
See them in person! Photos don't do these rich autumn hues justice. Plan a visit to the trial garden this week to wander through the peak harvest landscape yourself and gather some inspiration for your own backyard!
Enjoy this crisp, rustic palette that consists of the following:

🌾Autumn Wheat
- Dream Catcher Tumbleweed Switchgrass & Helianthus maximiliani

🌽Maize
-Glitters like Gold Black-Eyed Susan & Lucky Devil Ninebark

🎃Pumpkin Spice
- Oscar Peterson Rose rosehips & Forged in Fire False Sunflower

🪵Brown Sugar
- Sweet Fragrance Rose

🍁Maple Crimson
- Love Child Sweetspire

🌿Sagebrush
- The grounding garden green framework holding it all together!

Which of these fiery botanical tones is your favorite?

Address

1875 Peach Avenue
Madrid, IA
50156

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+15157953216

Website

http://www.iowaarboretum.org/

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