Murals were painted on the club walls depicting ocean waves, boats on the water, and palm trees.

Backstage, in an area known as "The Green Room," acts that have performed on the ballroom's historic stage, such as Little River Band, Loverboy, The Righteous Brothers, The Temptations, The Beach Boys, Waylon Jennings (before becoming a popular country musician, he worked as Buddy Holly's bassist during the infamous "Winter Dance Party" tour in 1959), and Bobby Rydell have signed their names on the whitewashed walls, and photos of them have been placed on a wall alongside those of early rock-and-roll pioneers.

Midwestern music acts that have performed at the Surf Ballroom include childhood Iowa residents The Everly Brothers in '66, Styx, and Soul Asylum.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum designated the Surf Ballroom a historical landmark on January 27, 2009.

Each February since 1979, the Surf Ballroom has hosted a "Winter Dance Party" tribute show to honor the lives and legacies of the three stars.