Iowa State’s Reiman Gardens was named a “Top 10 Garden worth traveling for” in North America at the International Garden Tourism Conference on Nov. 3. The award was given to gardens that have excelled in their efforts to cultivate and showcase garden experiences as compelling tourism destinations and catalysts.
Ranking ninth amongst gardens throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States, Reiman Gardens has asserted itself as one of the most renowned gardens across the continent. While Reiman has received local honors such as “Best Wedding Venue in Story County” and “#1 Best thing to do in Iowa” by a local travel magazine in 2023, this is the first time the organization has received international recognition.
“This was an incredible surprise to us,” said Andrew Gogerty, Reiman Gardens marketing and communications manager. “Part of what makes it such a huge honor is that we were chosen by a panel of Garden Tourism leaders and were recognized amongst some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious gardens like Atlanta Botanical Garden and Denver Botanic Gardens.”
Delegates from gardens in Singapore, Thailand, France, Australia, Canada, The Netherlands and the United States were all present at the International Garden Tourism Conference. Over 90 representatives from 40 gardens and 12 countries were present for the four-day conference. The recognized gardens host more than 17 million ticketed visitors each year and continue to grow.
“The director from Gardens By the Bay in Singapore who was presenting at the conference had to leave early because he found out Prince William was visiting his gardens that weekend,” Gogerty said.
Reiman Gardens has served as a vital part of the Iowa State community, often collaborating with and hosting events in partnership with the university. The 17-acre botanical garden is home to several themed garden areas, a tropical indoor conservatory and one of the Midwest’s largest indoor exhibits of butterflies. The organization hosts several opportunities for Iowa State students such as internship programs, hands-on learning experiences and a variety of educational training courses.
“This is significant because we hope an award like this will drive tourism not only to Reiman Gardens and the campus of Iowa State University, but to Ames and the state of Iowa as a whole,” Gogerty said. “To be recognized as a top 10 garden worth traveling for not just in the Midwest or America, but in all of North America, is a very high honor.”
Looking toward the future, Reiman Gardens has several events planned for the coming months. One event is its Winter Wonderscape. The event runs each Thursday, Friday and Saturday through the month of December. Winter Wonderscape is a holiday light show that features more than 150,000 lights spread across the walking paths of the 17-acre garden. Last year’s event brought in over 11,000 visitors over the course of the month and is becoming a tradition for many throughout central Iowa.
Another upcoming event at Reiman Gardens is the RG Express, a train display exhibited in Hughes Conservatory. The exhibit features several of Iowa State’s most recognizable buildings and landmarks along the tracks.
As the calendar flips to January, Reiman Gardens will assume a new theme for 2024: The Living Landscape. The theme will feature eight functional, custom-built playhouses around the gardens.
“We believe this will be one of our most popular exhibits ever, a huge hit with families and small children,” Gogerty said.
Following its first international honor, Reiman Gardens looks to continue to improve its facilities and operations.
“Things are always changing here,” Gogerty said. “New exhibits, new themes and new plants are always being added. Each season brings a different look to the Gardens.”
