This is an amazing hidden gem and rightly named Best Nest!! Amy and Marcel, our gracious hosts,…read moremade sure everything was set up for us and ready for a fun glamping weekend! They made sure we felt comfortable and helped us feed the alpacas and ducks who all have names, and introduced us to the farm cats too (Ernie). We thoroughly enjoyed the kayacking, paddle boating, boat tour, hiking, s'mores package and time to soak in the peaceful beauty of the area! The wagons are beautifully decorated and modern with every convenience! Watching the sunset and then later, looking up at the star studded sky at the campfire was an added bonus! Seriously, best weekend...the weather even cooperated and so impressed with our stay, the farm and our hosts!!! I didn't want to leave and now can't wait to go back!

What a wonderful place to relax! The wagon sleeps four, although we were very comfortable as a…read morecouple. Our hosts, Amy and Marcel, have done everything possible to make the visit as relaxing as it can be. The wagon is furnished with everything you could desire, the fire pit is a wonderful place to relax in the evening, and there are well groomed walking trails all over the property. We spent two nights here and felt the stress just oozing out of us. Bring books; spotty internet.

1. Truly, such an amazing experience. Went there for the first time and didn't want to leave. 2…read more You can pet almost all the animals that they have; llamas, cows, chickens, pigs, sheep, goats, roosters, bunnies, puppies, and the friendly dog and cat roaming the area. 3. The staff was very friendly, and the only thing that I regret was asking the staff more about the backstory of each and every animal, because they all touched my heart! 4. If you haven't, go visit and show them all your love!

Decided to try this place because I had heard great things about it. I chose to splurge and…read morepurchased the private experience package for my daughter and me, which cost $125 per person. When we checked in, we were the only ones participating in the private experience. The intern working there, I believe her name was Kara, was very friendly and did an excellent job explaining everything throughout the tour. This experience is advertised as an "interactive, hands-on experience," where you get to meet some animals that aren't included with general admission, such as the capybara, kangaroo, fox, porcupine, and raccoons. Most of the other animals can be interacted with during the regular experience, with the exception of the animals mentioned above and the wolfdog. The description states that the tour lasts 90 minutes, but we completed the entire experience in about 40 minutes. That may have been because it was just the two of us rather than a full group of six. As part of the safari experience, you're able to choose one animal to spend an additional 10-15 minutes with, and we chose the fox. I do wish they had mentioned at the beginning of the tour that the foxes tend to be skittish. Had we known that, we might have chosen a different animal for our extended interaction. They also provide a bucket of food so you can feed some of the animals during the experience. Overall, we definitely enjoyed spending time with the animals and learning more about them. However, in my opinion, the experience is priced way too high for what is included. While it was a fun and memorable visit, I personally don't feel it was worth the $125 per person cost.

This was our first visit to Nelson's Farm for the Strawberry Festival, and overall we had a very…read moregood experience. Originally, we planned to come just to pick strawberries because we had seen information online that led us to believe that was an option without attending the full festival. When we arrived, however, we learned that picking strawberries required purchasing full festival admission. Weekend tickets were $20 per person, with adults and children paying the same price. I think clearer communication on the website, social media, and at the farm itself regarding admission requirements would help set expectations. Since we ended up purchasing festival admission, we decided to explore everything the event had to offer...and there was quite a bit. The atmosphere reminded me a little of Valas Pumpkin Patch, but with a more relaxed, family-owned feel. In some ways, it felt more like the Valas I remember from growing up. Nelson's offers plenty of activities, but it still feels authentic and community-focused rather than highly commercialized. There were several giant slides, jumping pillows, farm animals to pet and feed, a playground, a corn pit, football and basketball games, and many other activities for kids. I imagine many of these attractions are available throughout the season, not just during Strawberry Festival. One thing they did especially well was the festival theming. There were adorable strawberry-themed photo opportunities throughout the property, cute displays, and thoughtful decorations. In the café and market, they had strawberry garlands, themed signs, and all sorts of strawberry-inspired merchandise. The market was particularly well done, with everything from strawberry candies and treats to strawberry-themed hair clips, keychains, cups, and other fun items. Like many farms, they offer a tractor-pulled ride out to the strawberry fields, which was much appreciated. The strawberry patch itself was larger than I expected. Some areas had been picked over, but there were still plenty of good berries if you took your time and looked around. It took my family of three about 30 minutes to pick roughly 1 1/2 pounds. We were told the berries are smaller this year because they're June-bearing strawberries, but they were incredibly sweet and flavorful. At $4 per pound, the pricing felt very reasonable for fresh local strawberries and comparable to what I'd expect to pay at a farmers market. One area for improvement would be adding more shaded seating for parents. Some of the attractions--particularly the large slides and jumping areas--have limited shade and seating nearby. We visited on a hot, humid Nebraska day, which isn't exactly unusual, so a few more places for adults to sit comfortably while supervising children would make the experience even better. I also appreciated seeing several American flags displayed around the property. It's always nice to see that sense of patriotism and community pride. Finally, every employee we interacted with was friendly, helpful, and welcoming. The staff genuinely seemed focused on creating a positive customer experience and maintaining the feel of a family farm. They do a very good job of that. Despite the confusion regarding admission, we had a fun day, picked some fantastic strawberries, and would absolutely consider visiting again.

I don't know where to even begin other than Nelson Produce Farm is truly a Nebraska spring staple…read moreand that if you have the opportunity to attend the Tulip Festival, you need to take it. The admission price is worth it for how many attractions there are here, and there is truly something for every age! Upon entering the farm, you are greeted with tons of cute decorations, garland, and photo ops, which are super fun and make the experience all-encompassing. I also thought they did a great job with signage since I was on the hunt for the tulips! There were two main sections for tulips: U-Pick, and for viewing only. Along my way to the decorative tulip fields, I was greeted by the cutest llamas and cows, and there were tons of adorable farm themed toys and set-ups, which would make this a great place to bring your family. The tulip fields alone were worth this visit. They were absolutely magnificent and there was such a gorgeous variety. Even with difficult weather, they still looked pristine and it didn't even feel like I was in Nebraska anymore! I used to live along the border of Germany/the Netherlands (where tulips are famed to grow) and I have seen many tulip attractions throughout my life, and Nelsons was still one of the best and most enjoyable experiences. I also chose to do U-Pick, which I regretted only because of the freezing weather, high winds, and my choice to wear a sundress, none of which is Nelsons fault. If the weather had been better this would be such a fun experience, and I still enjoyed browsing for the prettiest flowers. After picking a small bouquet, I made my way to the Farm Market, which was a huge shop full of everything from local products, foods, and goods, to Tulip Festival merch and fun mementos. There was also a small cafe where I got an iced coffee and took a moment to relax and enjoy the moment. I also ended up buying a small Schleich chicken figurine as a souvenir, and everyone who worked at Nelsons was incredibly sweet and friendly. I will absolutely be returning in the future and recommending this experience to everyone I know!

Wildlife Safari is a great place for the grandkids. They get to see Elk, Deer, Cranes and Buffalo…read more We can have a lunch there or bring our own. There is currently a Dinosaur exhibit. Don't forget the goat petting area.

If you make it to Ashland, this is a must stop for families. They have lots of animals, walking…read moretrails, and playgrounds. The kids loved the petting area with rabbits and the cutest unicorn goat ever! You will love the giant insect structures. Be sure to check out the black bears. They love to wrestle.

We love wenninghoffs! We can always get an amazing…read moreassortment of locally grown food here and we recently signed up for the weekly food pickup! We always get something special like peaches or fresh tomatoes. For only $15 a week (paid in a lump sum at the beginning of the summer) it's so worth it. We always have something local to have with dinner!

We finally stopped in at Wenninghoff's after two years of driving by and saying, "We should go…read morethere sometime." I'm glad we did! The market is packed with locally made and grown products. We picked up some sandwich pickles, local honey, and a massive seedless watermelon. Prices on some items were a little higher than expected, but given they're local, I didn't mind paying a bit extra--it feels good to support nearby farmers and makers. That said, there are a few things I'd probably skip. One thing to note: they add a $1 fee for card transactions, so if you want to avoid that, bring cash!

This was one of the most fun Saturday activities we have done in such a long time. We signed up for…read more"whine" with the alpacas and it was the best time. You get to be up close for 30 minutes then we sat and drank some wine while watching the alpacas graze! Sheri and her mom were the sweetest and made sure to talk to guests and teach guests about the alpacas and their land! It was just a fabulous event and we will definitely be back! Recommend bringing lawn chairs to sit on as the grass can get buggy!

If you are looking for cuteness you have come to the right place. Just a short drive outside of…read moreOmaha, we went to the whine with the alpacas event which is essentially a lovely evening byo picnic. The alpacas come out and graze while you get to enjoy some bevvies. They had probably at least 25 alpacas and we were lucky enough to meet five new borns. They all are so soft to pet (but a little skittish to strangers). They also have feeding events. For further information I would check out their Facebook page. They have a website but the owner more frequently processes request through Facebook

So much fun. We took Ana here. we all enjoyed it so much. it went the day before memorial day. it…read morewas free admission. a cup of food to feed them. there's a little shop. the staff/owners are wonderful, full of information and glad to share it. Abigail was glad to give information about the alpacas. Thanks for the great adventure for our Spanish daughter.

Since moving to Iowa last summer, one of the most fun things we have done is visiting Rusty Stars…read moreAlpaca. It's more than a half-hour from Ankeny but well worth the drive. Led by owners Kari and Aron, this place has such a good vibe. Their availability on the property makes the whole visit memorable, regardless of your age, your awareness of alpacas, or your experience with farm life. They have 42 alpacas and a llama on the property, and it is a unique experience to wander among them. Each of the alpacas has a name, looks different, and is interactive. As Kari described, they are "food-centric. " Being able to feed them from your hand was fun for this city boy. The alpacas have their own personalities, too. They have walking trips, too, but we refrained due to the snow and ice on a February day. We loved their gift shop, which was loaded with fun items and alpaca-themed apparel. I'm glad I bought a warm pair of valuable socks, which came in handy just a few days later! There is no paid admission to the property, just a suggested donation. The owners accept Venmo and cash. We were happy to contribute at the end. Aside from the obvious fun to mingle with alpacas, the owners elevate the entire experience, adding kindness, knowledge, and a great tone throughout. I wish everyone were as nice as Kari and Aron! Check out their social sites for fun photos and videos.

I am from California, moved to Minnesota in 2016 and Waukee the end of 2016 - needless to say, I've…read morebeen around and visited many pumpkin farm/apple orchard places. Wills Family Orchard is, by FAR, the best I've EVER been to. The lady in the shop, the gentleman leading the hayride and the young man overseeing the pumpkin patch were all very friendly and helpful! They went above and beyond to ensure my two young daughters and I had an amazing time. Every step of the way they were informative, friendly and engaging. The apple picking was amazing - petting the goats was unforgettable and the play area for the children was so much fun. We highly recommend this place!!

Had a great experience here! Went with my family and the kids really enjoyed all the activities and…read morewe picked apples. You must get some of their apple cider donuts- made fresh and so good!

We had so much fun at Bloom! We went last October and just had a fun time! So many great…read moreactivities, a wonderful selection of pumpkins and overall a wonderful value! I can't wait to make a trip back! When so many pumpkin patches these days are overpriced and commercialized this was exactly what I wanted in a day on the farm!

This pumpkin patch is an absolutely adorable hidden gem, offering everything I was looking for in a…read morefall experience this year. It's stunningly beautiful and well maintained, with an abundance of activities and sights to enjoy for the whole family. We really enjoyed creating some lasting memories here

I love the decor of pirate putt! They lean heavily into the pirate theme with big fake boats,…read morepirate statues, and ocean obstacles. Price is pretty good for the variety of the different holes. All the putt putt places by these people are great!

Pirate Putt is a fun, themed mini-golf venue in Council Bluffs with two 18-hole courses. Priced at…read more$10/course for adults (as of June 2024), it's a fun place to spend inside during the hot summer months (or just in general). While I loved the pirate decorations, and there were a couple of unique obstacles (like shooting your ball out of a cannon inside a pirate ship), the course isn't one where you can get many holes-in-one (which is one of the most fun and rewarding objectives of mini golf in my opinion). Most of the holes are in decent shape, though there are a few spots where the carpeting is coming loose and could use some maintenance. In my quest to find the best mini golf course in America (Iowa is the 28th state I've mini-golfed in), I would give this course a B.