When most people go out for dinner, they want a relaxing experience combined with good food. But some people are built differently and want a lot more excitement with their entrees. Iowa has you covered – with five dinner adventures that put a unique spin on dinner. From a train ride into the past to an interactive theater show, to an adrenaline-packed collection of games, and two of the best views in the Hawkeye State, these five dinner adventures in Iowa will change the way you think of an epic meal. Which one is right for you? The adventurous will definitely want to try all five and see which adventure they’ve been searching for!
- The Dinner Train (Boone)
Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad is always an Iowa event, but this evening excursion is unlike any other. Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad | James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, 225 10th St, Boone, IA 50036, USA
Sitting in an old-fashioned dining car, you’ll dig into a three-course fine dining meal including your choice of prime rib, cod, chicken, or a vegetarian entree - all the while taking in those stunning views.
Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad | James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, 225 10th St, Boone, IA 50036, USA
- The Dinner Detective (Cedar Rapids)
Management/TripAdvisor This interactive dinner theater has a branch in Iowa, and you should be prepared for a raucous night of comedy as you try to solve a murder while chowing down. The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 350 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, USA
The atmosphere might be irreverent, but the food is high-quality - the Chicken Marsala would pass muster at any Little Italy joint.
The Dinner Detective Cedar Rapids
- Bluff Lake Catfish Farm (Maquoketa)
Bluff Lake Catfish Farm/Facebook Part supply store, part restaurant, and part visual marvel, the Bluff Lake Catfish Farm is one of a kind. Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, 9301 95th Ave, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
If you take the restaurant’s famous all-you-can-eat deal, you can choose between boneless or bone-in catfish.
Bluff Lake Catfish Farm/Facebook
And this is the only restaurant in all of Iowa where you can dine overlooking a stunning waterfall!
Bluff Lake Catfish Farm/Facebook
The Operating Room (West Des Moines)
The Operating Room Pinball Bar Arcade/Facebook Looking to head back in time to the 1980s? This restaurant doubles as a massive pinball arcade filled with retro cabinets. The Operating Room West Des Moines, 5515 Mills Civic Pkwy #130, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
In addition to a delicious menu of burgers, pizza, and fried cheese curds, this restaurant features a selection of adult slushies!
The Operating Room Pinball Bar Arcade/Facebook The Operating Room West Des Moines, 5515 Mills Civic Pkwy #130, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
360 Steakhouse (Council Bluffs)
Steve J/TripAdvisor Located at the Harrah’s Council Bluffs resort, this may just be the best steakhouse in Western Iowa. 360 Steakhouse, 1 Harrah’s Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA
Specializing in steak and seafood, it’s the perfect place to take a carnivore for a special event.
Doug S/TripAdvisor
It also features the best view in all of Iowa - depending on where you sit, you’ll either overlook the Council Bluffs skyline or gaze across the state line into Omaha.
Steve J/TripAdvisor
Have you been to any of these dinner adventures in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section. Most of these adventures take walk-ins, but make sure to book tickets for the Dinner Detective or the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad before you go. If you’re looking for some more unique Iowa dinners, check out these five wackadoodle restaurants.
Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad
The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad is always an Iowa event, but this evening excursion is unlike any other.
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad | James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, 225 10th St, Boone, IA 50036, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
This interactive dinner theater has a branch in Iowa, and you should be prepared for a raucous night of comedy as you try to solve a murder while chowing down.
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 350 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, USA
The Dinner Detective Cedar Rapids
Bluff Lake Catfish Farm/Facebook
Part supply store, part restaurant, and part visual marvel, the Bluff Lake Catfish Farm is one of a kind.
Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, 9301 95th Ave, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
The Operating Room Pinball Bar Arcade/Facebook
Looking to head back in time to the 1980s? This restaurant doubles as a massive pinball arcade filled with retro cabinets.
The Operating Room West Des Moines, 5515 Mills Civic Pkwy #130, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
Steve J/TripAdvisor
Located at the Harrah’s Council Bluffs resort, this may just be the best steakhouse in Western Iowa.
360 Steakhouse, 1 Harrah’s Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA
Doug S/TripAdvisor
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Address: Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad | James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, 225 10th St, Boone, IA 50036, USAAddress: The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 350 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, USAAddress: The Operating Room West Des Moines, 5515 Mills Civic Pkwy #130, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USAAddress: Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, 9301 95th Ave, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USAAddress: 360 Steakhouse, 1 Harrah’s Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA
