Ames 

is a pleasant college town in Central Iowa, sitting astride the

Skunk River roughly 30 miles north of Des Moines, the capital city of
the state. Life in Ames follows the ebb and flow of the academic
year at Iowa State University, which is the city's primary draw.
Named after Massachusetts congressman and transcontinental
railroad supporter Oakes Ames, the city was founded as a stop
along one of the primary rail links to the first transcontinental
railroad. The railroad is still a daily part of life in Ames, with nearly
70 Union Pacific long-haul freight trains passing through town each
day.
How to get to Ames
By car (I= Interstate Highway)
Traveling from the north (e.g., Minneapolis, 2.5-hr drive) or from the
south (Des Moines, 30 minutes), take I-35 to exit 113 and drive west
along 13th Street into town. Or take US 30 (exit 111) west to South
Duff or University Boulevard and go north into town. Traveling from
the east (Chicago, 5.5 hours) or from the west (Omaha, 2 hours),
take I-80 to I-35, and then I-35 north and as above. US 30 also
reaches Ames direct from Omaha and Chicago.
By bus
Burlington Trailways and Jefferson Lines both serve the 1 Ames
Intermodal Facility, +1 515 232-2404, at 129 Hayward Avenue, a
block south of the Iowa State University campus in the Campustown
neighborhood. Jefferson Lines directly connects Ames to
destinations north and south along I-35, while Trailways directly links
Ames to Des Moines and destinations east along US 30.
By plane
There is no commercial aviation to Ames; the nearest major airport
is located in Des Moines. Shuttle service is available to/from
Ames; Executive Express offers a relatively frequent scheduled
service. If flying via charter or general aviation, one can use
the 2 Ames Municipal Airport on the southern edge of town, south
of Airport Rd; from there automobile is the best bet into town – a
Hertz rental car location is available at the airport.
Get around
Lincoln Way is the main east-west thoroughfare of the city, passing
just south of Downtown (the historic center of town, north of the
train tracks between Grand and Duff Avenues) and continuing west
to Campustown (the neighborhood immediately south of the ISU
campus – Iowa State University) along the southern edge of the
central campus of ISU. Similarly, 13th Street runs from I-35 across
the northern edges of the downtown area and the university
campus. Main north-south roads include Duff Avenue (south of
Lincoln Way) and Grand Avenue (north of Lincoln Way) which
together carry U.S. Hwy 69 through Ames, University Boulevard and
North/South Dakota Avenues.
The city-university partnership CyRide provides bus service in
Ames. Service hours can be limited (particularly during weekends
and school breaks), but the system does a decent job covering the
city and is very reliable. Fare is $1.25 ($0.60 for children/seniors).
Ames is very bicycle friendly, with a moderately extensive
paved trail system for walking and biking. Apart from ISU itself,
there are generally three main pedestrian-friendly concentrations of
shops and restaurants: Downtown along Main St between Clark and
Duff Avenues, Campustown along Welch Ave south of Lincoln Way,
and the much newer Somerset neighborhood directly north of the
ISU campus along Stange Ave north of 24th St. Not quite so
pedestrian friendly is the two miles of big box stores and strip malls
along Duff Avenue between US 30 on the south and Lincoln Way on
the north.
See

 The Downtown district, along Main Street between Grand and

Duff Avenues (just north of Lincoln Way and the train tracks), is
the historic center of town and makes for a pleasant stroll. The
district has most of Ames' civic functions, such as the city hall,
the library, and the main post office. Main Street is lined with
charming old brick buildings holding small shops and restaurants
and often hosts events such as a local farmers' market. At the
east end of Downtown on Duff Avenue, in the shadow of Ames'
power plant, is 1 Bandshell Park, a pleasant square that
regularly holds concerts in the summer months.
o 2 Ames History Center, 416 Douglas Ave (at Douglas and
5th), ☏ +1 515 232-2148. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. A small
museum run by the local historical society with exhibits and
displays on Ames history. Books, historic postcards, and self-
guided walking tour brochures are available for purchase
here. Free. (updated Nov 2016 | 
o
o
o Iowa State University[
Occupying nearly 500 acres in the middle of town is the scenic main
campus of the Iowa State University, with its many lovely green
spaces and a large collection of public art scattered throughout.
Architecture varies, from gorgeous classically-designed buildings in
the middle of the campus to more modern buildings around the
edges. A large lawn occupies the very center of the campus, with a
small lake at the southern end.

 3 Brunnier Art Museum, 2nd floor of the Scheman Building, ISU

campus, ☏ +1 515 294-3342. Tu-Fr 11AM-4PM, Sa-Su 1PM-
4PM. Holding fine and decorative art items from around the
world, including European decorative arts and American prints,
paintings and sculpture, with an emphasis on Iowan artists. Free;
suggested donation of $3. (updated Apr 2016 )edit
 4 Campanile. Overlooking the central lawn is this classically-
designed clock and bell tower, frequently used as an icon for the
university.     edit
 5 Christian Peterson Art Museum, Morrill Hall, ISU
campus, ☏ +1 515 294-9500. M-F 11AM-4PM. Located in one of
the oldest buildings on campus, this museums holds a series of
changing contemporary art exhibitions. A small sculpture garden
with changing exhibits is located behind the building. Free;
donations accepted. edit
 6 Farm House Museum, in the center of the ISU campus, ☏ +1
515 294-3342. M,W,F: noon-4PM, Tu,Th: 12:30-4PM. The oldest
building on campus, the Farm House was the center of life for the
model farm that was the entirety of the university during its
founding years. Today it is operated as a historical museum with
period furnishings. Free, $3 suggested donation per visitor.     
(updated Apr 2016 | edit)
 The main library on campus, 7 Parks Library, is notable for
holding a set of murals painted by Grant Wood (creator of the
famous American Gothic painting). Located down a quiet side
hall and an adjacent study room, the murals depict agrarian life
and the home and agricultural-based education ISU is noted for.
 8 Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd (shares a parking lot
with Jack Trice Stadium), ☏ +1 515 294-2710. Daily 9AM-
4:30PM; extended hours in summer. Originally created to provide
staff and students of the university a place to relax and enjoy
nature, this is a large botanical garden with indoor and outdoor
displays. Among the highlights are a lovely rose garden, a
conservatory, and a popular butterfly garden. $8 adults, $7
seniors, $4 children.     edit
Do[edit][add listing]
Cyclones football game, Jack Trice Stadium

 ISU Cyclones, +1-888-478-2925. ISU's football and basketball

teams are the biggest draws, but ISU is also a national power in
wrestling and the university fields teams in several other sports in
the Big 12 Conference, at the NCAA Division I level. The sports
complex is just southeast of the main campus; the football team
plays at 1 Jack Trice Stadium on University Blvd just south of
Lincoln Way, while the basketball, wrestling, volleyball, and
gymnastic teams play at 2 Hilton Coliseum, at Lincoln Way &
University Blvd.
 Next to the stadium complex are Iowa State's two performing art
centers, the 3 Stephens Auditorium and the 4 Fisher Theater,
both of which play host to a variety of concerts and plays.
 5 Ada Hayden Heritage Park, 5205 Grand Ave, ☏ +1 515 239-
5360. 6AM-10:30PM. Just north of town is this small lake that
makes for a pleasant fishing and picnicking spot. A biking/hiking
trail circles the lake, and a ramp for small boats is also
available. Free. edit

Buy[edit][add listing]
ISU Cyclones' licensed paraphernalia (sweaters and such) are
available from several retailers around town, but perhaps most
notably at the 1 Iowa State University Book Store in the Memorial
Union on campus facing Lincoln Way. Other specialty shopping can
be found along Main Street in Downtown, which is lined with a
number of small boutiques and stores.
Most of the big-box chain stores in town are along Duff Avenue on
the south side of town, between Lincoln Way and U.S. Highway 30.
There's also a Wal-Mart and some strip malls along North Grand
Avenue on the north side of town, as well as Ames' only indoor mall,
the small 2 North Grand Mall between 24th and 30th Streets.

Eat[edit][add listing]
Dining-wise, Ames is mostly a pizza-and-beer kind of town, perhaps
reflecting the tastes of the local student population. However, there
are some standouts:

 1 Aunt Maude's, 547 Main Street, ☏ +1 515 233-4136. Lunch:

M-F 11AM-2PM; Dinner: M-Sa 5PM-close. Pricey but popular
steakhouse with semi-formal atmosphere, which has made it
 something of an Ames standby with so few formal restaurants to
go around. Patio and bar. $15-$40. edit
 2 The Cafe, 2616 Northridge Pkwy, ☏ +1 515 292-0100. M-Th
7AM-9PM, F-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 7AM-8PM. Very popular
restaurant with farm-to-table cuisine, vegetarian options, casual
but chic atmosphere. Great desserts and wine list. $5-$20. edit
 3 Downtown Deli, 328 Main St, ☏ +1 515 232-3626. Very bare-
bones, but a nice local choice for sandwiches. edit
 4 The Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company, 129 Main
St, ☏ +1 515 232-4263. M-Th 11AM-2PM, 4:30PM-midnight; F-
Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-11PM. Pizza is hearty, but popular
because of the crust. Has honey as a dipping sauce. edit
 5 Hickory Park, 1404 S Duff Ave, ☏ +1 515 232-8940. Su-Th
10:30AM-9PM, F-Sa 10:30AM-10PM. A huge and very popular
Western-themed restaurant that has long been an Ames staple
and is great for kids, parties, and large groups. American and
Iowan fare, featuring pulled pork/beef sandwiches and a dessert
menu boasting over 50 selections. Huge seating area, though
there is often a wait to get a table on the weekends; however, the
wait passes quickly and the waiting area has enough interesting
decor and distractions like a TV and cheap candy to keep you
occupied. Very popular with families. Diabetics beware. $10 with
dessert. edit
 6 Jeff's Pizza, 2402 Lincoln Way, ☏ +1 515 292-2321. Su-Tu
10:30AM-1AM, W-Th 10:30AM-2:30AM, F-Sa 10:30AM-
3:30AM. Pizza place offering some unusual toppings, Iowa State
student favorite. Eat in or delivery. edit
 7 The Spice, 402 Main St, ☏ +1 515 232-0200. M-Sa 11AM-
2:30PM, 5PM-9PM. Thai cuisine with a nice ambiance. edit
 8 Stomping Grounds, 303 Welch Ave, ☏ +1 515 292-5258. M-F
7AM-midnight, Sa-Su 8AM-midnight. A coffee shop/art gallery
that is a popular student hangout and serves good cappuccinos
and mochas, along with decent sandwiches and teas. Service
takes a while, though. edit
 9 Thai Kitchen, 2410 Chamberlain St (just off Welch Ave), ☏ +1
515 292-4788. Tu-F 11AM-8:30PM, Sa-Su noon-8:30PM. A small
Thai restaurant with friendly atmosphere. edit
 10 West Street Deli, 2810 West St, ☏ +1 515 268-4605. M-Sa
11AM-8PM. A pleasant and rather unassuming deli on a quiet
side of campus. Excellent sandwiches. edit
Drink
Alcohol purchases end at 2AM.

 1 Cy's Roost, 121 Welch Ave, ☏ +1 515 268-9199. For the big

game. edit
 2 Mickey's Irish Pub, 109 Welch Ave, ☏ +1 515 292-7378. Frat-
bar with dance floor in the basement but not considered a
club. edit
 3 Paddy's Irish Pub, 124 Welch Ave. Relaxed dive bar with
mostly standing room only (on the weekends) and overly loud
music for dancing. Two-Fer-Tuesdays and dollar burgers on
Wednesdays. edit
 4 Sips, 124 Welch Ave, ☏ +1 515 292-6887. Dance club. edit
 5 Welch Avenue Station, 207 Welch Ave, ☏ +1 515 292-
2334. M-Th 4PM-2AM, F 1PM-2AM, Sa-Su 11AM-2AM. One of
the longest-standing bars in town. The atmosphere is more
traditional than the more "hip" and "modern" bars around town.
Has regular bar food as well as pizza from the Pizza Pit
upstairs. edit
