This past weekend I had the pleasure of officiating my little sister's wedding at this location…read more Overall, I was very impressed with the staff and with the location itself, but I was taken a bit by surprise when I first arrived. As it turns out, the property is literally the home of the staff. It is run by a husband and wife crew, along with relatives who pitch in to get the entire property ready for their events. They provide several packages at varying prices, and leave the option to use their home as a backup in the event of bad weather. Most of the food is made on-site, again by the family. My sister and her fiance had chosen a sunset wedding, so we started the event with dinner, a choice of baked chicken (huge portions) or BBQ ribs, along with some pastas, potatoes, salad, bread, and corn. We learned later that the BBQ was prepared by a local restaurant, which was ok because the ribs were fantastic! The ceremony itself was simple but elegant, with chairs set up and decorated in the wedding party's colors, as well as candles and some tree decorations to complete the backdrop. Afterward, cake was provided again by a local business owner, and it was also fantastic! Champagne was also provided as well as glassware. Finally, we were treated to a small, yet pleasant fireworks display that kept the kids entertained. The staff was great, very helpful and never in the way. Even the young boy who was there helping was very courteous and helpful to the guests. The owner is also a certified minister, in case your party does not have someone to officiate the event. I would recommend anyone looking for a reasonably priced outdoor venue to take a look at Stouts' Serenity Acres! The staff is amazing and very friendly. The location is beautiful and well kept, with plenty of spots for your photographer to take great photos!

My daughter got married there a few years ago and it was beautiful! The staff did an amazing job…read moreat getting the venue prepared for the event and made it extra special for our family. We also ordered some wine from the wine room and it was excellent! I highly recommend!

My family and I stopped at Wooden Wheel on our way through Iowa and were pleasantly surprised. The…read moreindoor space is rustic but modern, and the wine selection is vast. The tasting we had featured both reds and whites. Some I enjoyed, others weren't for me, but I was able to find great wines to take back for my husband and for my mother. The tasting was presented by one of the owners, and he had a vast knowledge of winemaking and also some great stories! I was not impressed by the labeling, but this seems to be very common among small local wineries. For me, the presentation of a wine bottle is important not only for gifting but when you are enjoying a bottle for yourself. The Vineyard also has a small gift shop with wine related items, some of which were rather unique. On the tour, I was surprised to see thick plastic containers for fermenting the wine rather than the traditional barrels. I learned more than I expected to about a process I know fairly well. Overall, this was a nice local vineyard with some good options. I can't say that I would necessarily drive there just to visit, but it's a nice stop on a ride through rural Iowa.

Want to get away from it all? Try Cedar River Ranch. It is a secluded yet convenient locations with…read morebeautiful woods, rustic and extremely clean cabins. You can grill out and roast marshmallows. Very nice hiking trails to Cedar River outlooks. Lots of outdoor games and playgrounds, nine square game, very nice basketball goals. We highly recommend this resort.

From the owner: Located in the rustic countryside of SE Iowa, Cedar River Ranch Resort and Events Center is the…read moreperfect spot for your dream event! Hold your wedding outdoors or inside one of our newly updated event venues. With flexible options for indoor/outdoor spaces, onsite catering options, cabins for you and your party, and our attentive staff, you can host all of your events in one location—bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, indoor and outdoor weddings and receptions. Looking for a spot to host a reunion or company picnic? We can host those too!

Our son and daughter-in-law held their wedding here and it was fantastic. The planning staff where…read morecaring, energetic, flexible and professional. The day-of staff where courteous, friendly, and dedicated to making the day as special as possible. The staff felt like old friends as soon as we met and made the day special. The accommodations are beautiful and well kept. We enjoyed the barn and the bin. The scenery, a country barn and bin on a lake in the country, absolutely breath-taking views. There was nothing we needed for, they had it all and did it all. Absolutely recommend The Barn at Fairview Acres for weddings.

An amazing venue for any event! The Barn is run by the most incredible team! I've been a part of…read moremany events and they are always run at the highest efficiency and every detail is thought of!

Wow! Antiques and collectibles. Check. Interesting gifts…read moreand household decor. Check. Amazing chocolates and pastries. Check. Unique women's clothing and accessories. Check. Locally made goods. Check. Wonderful for browsing. Double check.

Imaginative and beautiful store with yummy cupcakes, melt in your mouth cookies, and more! Plus a…read morefriendly and helpful staff!

I had the perfect wedding at this venue. The owner, Mary Ellen Hill, was very easy to work with and…read morewe emailed frequently. She always tried to keep us up to date on what was happening and coordinated parking, setup, put up all our chairs, and even gave us a very heartfelt tour of the gardens. The day of the wedding was a beautifully sunny day (it was yesterday!). Everything was perfect. I really have nothing to say about the location that's negative. She knew what she was doing and her hard work is seen with how beautiful the gardens are kept. She does tea and snacks on Saturdays, and I may stop by with my mom. I definitely recommend this location as one of the best Iowa City can offer for outdoor venues! She also can have a reception at the location too (though my fiance and I didn't choose to because we had a reception venue lined up anyway).

Amazing gardens! What wonderful place to visit. Never knew such a place existed right here in our…read moreown community.