I’m a true Iowa girl and I still loved sleeping with the cows at the New Day Dairy Guest Barn outside Clarksville, Iowa.
There isn’t anything much more “Iowa” than staying on a farm and the Bolin’s, who have opened their Guest Barn (adjacent to their milking barn), have done an amazing job of letting you experience life as a dairy farmer while also providing modern and updated amenities for a fantastic stay!
New Day Dairy Guest Barn
The Bolin’s have made it super easy to make a reservation to sleep with the cows! Their website make booking a room super easy and they also accept bookings via Airbnb. Both spots easily share all their amenities too! On their website, you can check out their several deals, specials, and add on’s to make your trip just that much better!
Fully Stocked Kitchen
The kitchen inside the Guest Barn is adorable! With it’s clean white cabinets, stainless appliances, and all the cute decor, it’s a place where you don’t mind spending some time cooking a meal or brewing coffee. The Bolin’s have thought of everything from pots, pans, and utensils to dishes, popcorn popper, and more!
The details to the fully stocked kitchen doesn’t stop with the dishes and accessories, but flow into the fridge as well! When it’s time for breakfast, the kitchen has been stocked with granola, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, mini bagels and cream cheese, milk, and more! In addition, they provide coffee and a large variety of teas for you to pick from!
Cozy, Comfy Bedrooms
When it’s time to actually sleep, your bedroom is cozy and comfy! Currently, only one bedroom is ready to be booked, but eventually they will offer 3 bedrooms to be reserved. The room that I enjoyed had a delightfully comfortable queen size bed with amazing pillows and linens. It also had it’s own bathroom complete with a vanity and tub/shower combo. One of my favorite features was the heater in the bathroom along with the labeled light switches!
In addition to the bed, my room offered two side tables, a chair, and an additional chair with desk! There was plenty of space to move around and tall ceilings gives the illusion that the room is bigger than it really is.
Additional Guest Barn Features
The remaining portions of the Guest Barn are just as comfy cozy as the bedroom. On the main floor, you can enjoy a fantastic table to gather around with others. Upstairs, you’ll find the viewing area to enjoy the cows. In this area, you’ll find two different tables with chairs and stools to sip your wine or coffee at while you watch the ongoings of the cattle/milking barn. Personally, I recommend eating your breakfast up here while watching the cows!
You’ll also find a cozy reading nook, a variety of games to play, and some fun art featuring resident cows. There is also a variety of books about agriculture and by Iowa authors.
Finally, downstairs in a cute nook under the stairs, enjoy their small “gift shop” along with their guest book!
Take the “Be A Dairy Farmer Challenge”
While a stay at the New Day Dairy Guest Barn is great in itself, the experience is even more amazing if you take the “Be A Dairy Farmer Challenge”. This in-depth “tour” of the farm gives you a true snapshot of what it takes to be a dairy farmer! From checking on Rita the Robot (the robotic milking machine) to feeding calves, scraping manure, and more, you’ll get a taste of what it means to work on a dairy farm!
If the in-depth look isn’t for you, then I would definitely recommend taking their basic tour. This tour will give you a basic idea of how things work on the farm! Dairy Man Dan is a great tour guide, letting you work right alongside him in all that he does. Feel free to ask lots of questions (I certainly did) because he will answer them all!
Other Things to Do
Not only can you enjoy New Day Dairy, but the surrounding area. When you need dinner, head to Waverly and enjoy the East Bremer Diner. This locally owned spot features unique items like their broasted chicken, the way they serve salad dressings, and Wagyu beef from locally owned Hansen’s Dairy. The burgers made with this meat are absolutely delicious! (Bonus: They do have a gluten-free specific menu if you have an allergy!)
In Clarksville, you’ll find the Rolling Prairie Bike Trail which you can travel east on to Shell Rock or West to Allison, Bristow, and beyond. Part of the trail travels through Heery Woods State Park outside Clarksville. This park boasts trails, a playground, and is set alongside the Shell Rock River, which you can kayak or fish in!
Traveling to the New Day Dairy Guest Barn
If you’re traveling to the barn by car…
- Des Moines, IA – 2 hours drive time
- Minneapolis, MN – 2 hours, 50 minutes drive time
- Kansas City, MO – 4 hours 45 minutes drive time
- Chicago, IL – 5 hours drive time
If you want to travel by air, I recommend flying into Waterloo Regional Airport, renting a car, and making the 30 minute drive.
Plan Your Trip
It’s time to plan your trip to the New Day Dairy Guest Barn, but there are a few things you need to know and keep in mind:
- This is a working dairy farm! Please keep that in mind as you move about. But, also keep this in mind when it comes to things you might smell! 😉
- The Bolin’s work very hard to keep the Guest Barn very clean! Also, because this is a farm, they request that you take your shoes off the moment you enter the Guest Barn…please honor this request.
- The farm is on a gravel road and your vehicle may get dirty or muddy!
- The Bolin’s have designed the Guest Barn as a place to gather, unplug, and connect with others. There is a TV (with a Roku) on the premise, but I encourage to embrace the peace and quiet of the countryside. At the time I visited, there was no TV service and I truly ended up finding the silence a treasure as I sat and read to relax.
Most people might not think about taking a trip to an Iowa dairy farm for a getaway, but you need to! Not only are the Bolin’s amazing hosts with their Guest Barn, the cows will welcome you, and you’ll find right at home by the end of your visit.
A trip to New Day Dairy for a stay in their guest barn and tour of the farm operations is a great way to learn about where your food comes from and about those that care for the animals. Make your reservation now and make sure to tell them that the Flints sent you!
More Great Iowa Stays
We have lots of Iowa stays that are amazing that we think you’ll enjoy! Check them out:
- Hotel Grinnell: A New Meaning to Old School Cool
- Unplug at Taylor Hill Lodge
- The Hotel Julien: Making You Feel Special
- 3 Reasons to Visit Red Cedar Lodge: Charles City, Iowa
PIN it for Later
Oh, makes me want to play with the calves! Looks like a fun get away!
Thanks! It really is a fun, local getaway!
Nice blog, Katie. Do they offer large group tours?
I know they offer group tours, but not sure how big. Definitely reach out to Lynn! She would be happy to work with you!
Such a great and unique experience allowing everyone a chance to get a first hand experience on a dairy farm.