What We Offer for Groups & Tour Buses
No two groups are the same, so we've built a menu of experiences to fit whatever your day looks like — a quick hour-long stop or a full afternoon in Pella. Options include:
Flower Arranging — build a take-home arrangement, hands-on and beginner-friendly
Plant Potting Events — a relaxed, low-mess activity for groups of any age
Tulip Bulb Masterclass — learn the story behind Pella's Dutch tulip heritage and how to plant for spring
History of Pella — a guided look at what makes Pella, Iowa worth the trip
Garden Square Chocolatier Truffle Tastings with Wine Pairings — a guided tasting through our artisan truffles
Garden Square Chocolatier Fudge & Coffee Tastings — a warm, shareable alternative to our wine pairing, perfect for groups who want something a little different
Holland Scent Candle Making Experiences — hand-pour a candle to take home
We love collaborating with other downtown Pella businesses to help customize your group's experience — just let us know what you're envisioning. And every attendee walks away with 10% off their next in-store purchase.
We'll help you mix and match based on your group's size, interests, and time on-site.
Experience Thistles Blog Posts
Bringing Your Group to Thistles: Tour Buses & Private Parties in Pella
Bringing Your Group to Thistles: Tour Buses & Private Parties in Pella One of my favorite parts of owning Thistles is throwing open our doors to a group and watching the whole building come alive. We've hosted tour buses and private parties as large as 50 people, and our space is built to handle it — when a group is that big, we love splitting everyone up and rotating through two or three experiences at once, so nobody's standing around waiting for their turn. Here's what we usually build a group visit around: Tulip Bulb Masterclass & the History of Pella This one's always a hit. In about 25 minutes (plus time for questions), we walk through the history of tulip bulbs and the many varieties we grow, with photos and details along the way. Then we get into the story of Pella itself — how tulip bulbs became such a big part of our city gardens and our Tulip Time festival, and our community's ongoing connection to the Netherlands, even generations after Pella was founded. Chocolate Tasting (with an optional Wine Pairing) Our chocolatiers make every Garden Square Chocolatier truffle in house, using French chocolate and techniques inspired by European craftsmanship. We'll walk your group through how that chocolate is made, share some seasonal favorites, and talk about what actually goes into crafting a truffle. If you want to upgrade the experience, we can add on a wine pairing with our friends from The Wijn House. Flower Arranging Guests can build their own arrangement in a vase or wrap a bouquet to take home — a relaxed, hands-on favorite for groups who want something a little more creative. Candle Making We've got the perfect setup for this one — guests gather around our design station and craft their own candle, choosing from a variety of scents to make it their own. Whatever mix of experiences your group chooses, we've got you covered with plenty of seating, tables, and restrooms so everyone's comfortable from start to finish. And as a little thank-you, everyone who attends a private party or tour bus experience gets 10% off merchandise in our shop that day. No two groups are exactly alike, so we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all package. Reach out and tell us about your group, and we'll help build an experience made just for you. — Alie
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Things to Do in Pella, Iowa — A Local's Guide
Things to Do in Pella, Iowa — A Local's Guide As a lifelong Pella resident, I get asked all the time for restaurant recommendations, favorite downtown shops, and the things locals think you shouldn't miss. Honestly, I could talk your ear off about all of it — but today I'm narrowing it down to make it a little more manageable. Our Dutch Heritage Our entire town is a beautiful display of our Dutch culture. Downtown looks like you've wandered into a European city — even our Casey's and Walmart have Dutch fronts on their buildings. The real showstopper is the Vermeer Windmill, the tallest working windmill in the United States. It was built in the Netherlands and brought to Pella to showcase our Dutch heritage — tours let you walk inside, and on the days they run the blades, you can watch it actually grind flour. The Pella Historical Museums also maintain beautiful gardens and buildings worth touring alongside the mill, including our founder's home, the Scholte House. And if you're able to visit during Tulip Time, we have the Pella Historical Society and Museums team to thank for the fabulous job they do hosting our three-day festival celebrating our Dutch heritage. Stay in the Know I'd also suggest checking the Downtown Pella District Facebook page for fun events hosted by our downtown shops, and Visit Pella for additional activities and all the details on where to eat, drink, shop, and stay. Get Outside at Lake Red Rock Just outside town is Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It has incredible nature trails, beautiful sunsets, and great campsites if you want to make a whole weekend out of your visit. Shop & Treat Yourself Downtown Downtown Pella shopping is a must — between the clothing boutiques and home decor stores, there's something for everyone. And don't forget to stop by the meat markets Ulrichs and In't Velds and Vander Ploeg Bakery and Jaarsma Bakery for Dutch treats along the way. Eat & Drink Like a Local A couple of our favorite spots downtown: The Bread Board for lunch, and George's Pizza — we always suggest the George's Special or their pasta (“it's where the locals have eaten since 1974,” as their logo says). For something a little cozier, De Kelder Speakeasy, tucked under Clover Leaf on Franklin, has elevated drinks and truly delicious homemade appetizers. And if you're after a good happy hour, The Cellar Peanut Pub with more than 50 craft beers and nationally known for their Bloody Mary is a great place to start. We also have The Wijn House filled with Iowa wines, and for a great cocktail and dinner Liberty Street Kitchen. Catch Some Live Music If you like live music, the Pella Opera House hosts a variety of shows — everything from kid-friendly performances to tribute bands. One of my favorites is when the Pork Tornadoes come to play. Bring the Kids If you've got little ones, I'm especially proud of our Kiwanis playground, Wonder Spelen — just a few blocks from Thistles and downtown Pella. It's the first and only all-inclusive children's park in Pella, with restrooms and a fenced-in play area so kids can run safely. Soak in Our City Parks Our city parks are beautifully maintained all year long. At Thistles, we're lucky to sit right across from Central Park — we love watching the seasons change there, taking a walk, or just enjoying a picnic. Plan Your Visit with Thistles While you're here, let us be part of your day. We host gift experiences, private parties, group and tour bus experiences, and workshops and classes right here in Pella. We offer chocolate and wine tastings, flower arranging, and a Tulip Bulb Masterclass covering the history of Pella — a fun addition to any day trip. Reach out today to schedule your experience. — Alie
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Why I Started Gifting Experiences Instead of Things | Thistles
Why I Started Gifting Experiences Instead of Things I love gift giving. I always have. But somewhere along the way, I noticed that what I actually remember — what my family and friends actually talk about years later — was never the thing in the box. It was the time we spent together making it. That's really where these gift experiences came from. Over the years, I've found so much joy in creating little moments with the people I love — an afternoon spent doing something new together, just for the sake of doing it. I wanted a way to share that with you, too — our neighbors, our customers, the people who make Pella feel like home. We've put together five ways to give a moment instead of a thing: 1. Plant Experience — for the friend who could use a little help keeping something alive. Starting at $40 per person. Minimum of 2 people. 2. Flower Arranging — for someone who's always said “I could never do that” about flowers. Minimum of 2 people. 3. Candle Making — so instead of gifting candle #47, they get to make their own from scratch. Minimum of 4 people. 4. Chocolate Tasting & Wine Pairing — Garden Square Chocolatier truffles, made right here at Thistles, paired with wine from The Wijn House. Just a really nice night out. Minimum of 2 people. 5. Kokedama — the Japanese art of moss-wrapped, soil-free plant design, available any time of year. $48 per person. Minimum of 2 people. Here's the part I love most: you don't have to just give one of these away. You can join in. Some of my favorite days here have been the ones where the “gift” was really an excuse for all of us to be in the same room together. And if you're already planning a day trip to Pella — some shopping, a stop at the bakery — one of these makes a perfect thing to build the day around. Once you purchase, we'll send a digital gift card for you to share, and your recipient can call us anytime to schedule their experience. If you have questions, or an idea for how you'd like to customize your experience, give us a call. We'd love to help you put it together. — Alie
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