This post, featuring my review of the New Day Dairy GuestBarn in Iowa, may contain affiliate links. This article was also written after a hosted stay on the property—all thoughts and opinions about the stay are my own. For more, please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy (linked below).
If you’re dreaming of a dairy farm vacation with kids, New Day Dairy GuestBarn is one of the most unique places for families to stay in Iowa—and it truly delivers. We spent a fantastic spring weekend at this cozy, working dairy farm in Northern Iowa with our 10-year-old daughter, and by the time we left, she was planning her future as a dairy farmer! The freshly planted fields, warm hospitality, and glowing sunsets made our visit relaxing and unforgettable.
This isn’t your average family getaway in Iowa. It’s one of the best farm stays in the Midwest, offering hands-on animal encounters, sweeping country views, and a chance to sleep just steps away from the cows (yes, it’s just as fun as it sounds!). You can even keep an eye on the cows all day long through observation windows in the apartment. Plus, the hosts, Dan and Lynn, are incredibly warm and welcoming.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a playful, educational Iowa farm stay with your kids, New Day Dairy GuestBarn is worth the trip. Even better? It’s only about 3 hours from Minneapolis (our home base). Keep reading to learn more about what it’s like to stay at New Day Dairy GuestBarn—and to get my honest review of the experience!
About New Day Dairy GuestBarn
Firstly, here’s a snapshot of what you need to know about staying at New Day Dairy GuestBarn.
Location: Clarksville, Iowa
Accommodation Type: 3-room, 3-bath apartment (two stories). It sleeps up to 11, but you can just rent the rooms that you need for your stay (reducing the overall cost).
Season: Offered year-round.
Best for: Any type of group or traveler! From multi-generational getaways to small families interested in sustainable farm experiences, New Day Dairy GuestBarn offers an excellent experience for all ages.
Snapshot of Amenities at New Day Dairy GuestBarn
- Sleeps 11 (3 bed, 3 bath)
- Experience a real working dairy farm with chances to meet the cows
- 24/7 observation windows onto the barn and cows
- Includes 2 tours to help you learn about the farm and cows
- Full kitchen with complimentary DIY breakfast
- Outdoor greenspace to play and a bonfire area
- Toys and books are available for all ages
- Several unique add-on opportunities like the Dairy Farmer Challenge, DIY pizza nights, and more
- There is always a chance you may experience a birth during your stay. I hear they may even let you name the calf!
- Plenty of fun things to do for families with kids of all ages nearby
READ NEXT: The Ultimate Guide to Fun-Filled Summer Road Trips from Minneapolis with Kids
My Review of Staying at New Day Dairy GuestBarn with Kids
Honestly, we loved our stay at the New Day Dairy GuestBarn! As a top farm stay in the Midwest, the property and its unique, family-friendly amenities are truly exceptional. With comfortable bedrooms, plenty of space to play inside and out, and complimentary farm tours to meet the cows, New Day Dairy GuestBarn makes it easy to play, relax, and reconnect with your favorite travel crew.
Would we recommend New Day Dairy GuestBarn for families? Without question, yes!
After checking it out this farm stay for ourselves, we can honestly say it’s one of our top recommendations for unique places to stay in Iowa (and maybe all of the Midwest) for families! As you review whether New Day Dairy GuestBarn is a good fit for your family, here are a few of our favorite reasons to stay here.
More on What We Loved at New Day Dairy GuestBarn with Kids
We made so many fantastic family memories at New Day Dairy GuestBarn! It is undoubtedly a dairy farm vacation we’ll be talking about for years. Located in Clarksville, Iowa (less than three hours from Minneapolis), this truly is one of the most unique places for families to stay in Iowa.
From the moment we arrived, Dan and Lynn welcomed us like old friends. The guest space is bright, beautiful, and surprisingly spacious, with everything we needed (including three bedrooms and a full kitchen). Not to mention, several cozy spaces where we could unwind after busy days on the farm (like the observation area and outdoor bonfire area).
But let’s be honest: the real highlight was the cows. Watching them through the observation windows in our apartment was amazing. But getting to meet them in person? So much better! My daughter especially loved the Be a Dairy Farmer Challenge Tour. She milked a cow, met the new calves, and watched Rita the Robot—the farm’s milking machine. We all learned so much from Dan about sustainable farming and caring for the cows.
We left with full hearts—and maybe a future dairy farmer in the making.
This part of my review of New Day Dairy GuestBarn also includes a few things we particularly enjoyed about the property, including time with the cows, the rooms, and more.
Learn About + Experience a Working Dairy Farm
At New Day Dairy GuestBarn, learning about life on a working dairy farm with your kids is part of the fun. Dan and Lynn have thoughtfully designed every stay to be both educational and hands-on, making this one of the most enriching farm stays in the Midwest.
Upon arrival, families get a short Introductory Tour. And each visit wraps up with a Farewell Tour. Both tours are about 30-45 minutes, perfect for kids’ attention spans. You’ll meet calves, pet cows, and learn about the high-tech robot that does the milking. If you’re lucky, you might even get to name a newborn calf!
Inside the GuestBarn, you’ll find fun books and cow facts to keep the learning going. Of course, kids can watch over 150 cows at any time through the giant observation windows—no boots required! For barn visits, loaner boots are available, and everything is clean, private, and kid-friendly, making it easy to dive into farm life at your family’s own pace.
Cozy Accommodations
If you’re looking for unique places for families to stay in Iowa, the cozy accommodations at New Day Dairy GuestBarn make it easy to relax after a full day of cow cuddles and barn tours. Whether you’re planning a multigenerational getaway or a dairy farm vacation with kids, the space is flexible and family-friendly.
The GuestBarn features three comfortable bedrooms (including one with two small beds perfect for younger kids), three bathrooms, a full kitchen, and plenty of space to spread out. Traveling light? You can choose to book just one or two rooms—but you’ll still have the entire GuestBarn to yourself! The beds are cozy, the layout is thoughtful, and every detail has been designed to make your stay as relaxing and memorable as possible.
Be a Dairy Farmer for a Day Challenge
If your family is looking for a farm stay in the Midwest that goes beyond the basics, don’t miss adding the Be A Dairy Farmer Challenge Hands-On Tour to your stay. This was THE highlight of our own experience!
This 75- to 90-minute add-on tour is a must for any dairy farm vacation with kids. We laughed, learned, and got our hands a little dirty as we followed Dairyman Dan through a real day in the life of a dairy farmer. During the tour, we milked a cow (not as easy as it looks!), scraped barn floors, and even took a tractor ride.
Cows are undeniably cute and friendly! Expect to be licked and cuddled during the tour. My daughter was especially thrilled to give Rita the Robot a break and milk one of the cows. We even got to see how the robotic milking system works.
It was a memorable, hands-on way to experience farm life in Iowa during our stay. I absolutely think that it is worth adding to your stay, too!
Things of Note
No review of New Day Dairy GuestBarn would be complete without a few things of note.
New Day Dairy GuestBarn is a real working dairy farm, which means it comes with real working dairy farm extras like cow smells and a rural location. Particularly in the warmer weather, you can expect New Day Dairy GuestBarn to smell like a farm. I promise, you will get used to it after a bit!
Additionally, it also means the farm’s location can feel pretty remote (for some people) compared to the nearby towns and restaurants. Expect to drive at least 15 minutes to reach dinner, fun things to do, and other stops during your stay. Alternatively, you can spend the whole stay right on the farm! There is plenty to do, and the add-on meal options that Lynn puts together make it even easier (like DIY pizza nights and charcuterie).
Don’t let these two things deter you from booking, however! The benefits and fun of staying at New Day Dairy GuestBarn far outweigh these two aspects of the experience.
READ NEXT: Exciting Summer Weekend Getaways Near Minneapolis for Families
Use This Itinerary for Exploring New Day Dairy GuestBarn
Ready to experience one of the best farm stays in the Midwest? Here’s how to spend three days with your kids at New Day Dairy GuestBarn. You can also see more of our Iowa farm stay in action on Instagram here.
DAY 1
Here’s how to spend your first day on the farm with your family.
- Check into New Day Dairy GuestBarn and get settled
- Intro tour of the farm with Lynn
- Dinner at The Iowa PrimeHouse, a true farm-to-fork dining experience in Shell Rock
- Catch the beautiful pastoral sunset together
DAY 2
Your second day is filled with even more fun discoveries!
- Coffee + breakfast with the cows from the observation windows
- Look for Devonian fossils at Rockford Fossil & Prairie Park (about 40 min from the farm)
- Lunch at Wild Carrot in Waverly
- Take the hands-on “Be A Dairy Farmer Challenge” Tour with Dairyman Dan
- Dinner at Cliff’s Place in Waverly
- Grab ice cream at 4 Queens Dairy Cream in Waverly
DAY 3
Here are a few more fun things to do before you head home.
- Coffee + breakfast with the cows from the observation windows
- Farewell tour of the farm with Lynn
- Lunch at Sub City in Waverly
- Llama Hike at Rector Llamas (about 30 min from the farm)
Looking for more things to do near the New Day Dairy GuestBarn? Try these:
- John Deere Tractor Museum
- Waterloo Center for the Arts
- Phelps Youth Pavilion (children’s museum)
- Lost Island Waterpark
- Heery Woods State Park
- Cedar Bend County Park
- Shopping in downtown Waverly
Ready to Book or Learn More?
Has my New Day Dairy GuestBarn review helped you make your decision? Check pricing, date availability, and book your New Day Dairy GuestBarn stay! I promise, this is one farm stay in the Midwest you don’t want to miss.
Unless otherwise noted, all images in this article were taken by and belong to the blog’s author, Antonia Grant. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy for more information.