Overview
Ames is a pleasant college town in Central Iowa, sitting astride the Skunk River roughly 30 miles north of Des Moines. Life in Ames follows the ebb and flow of the academic year at Iowa State University, which is the city's primary draw.
6 sights · 1 things to do · 10 places to eat · 6 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ames
Campanile
Overlooking the central lawn is this classically-designed clock and bell tower, frequently used as an icon for the university.
Farm House Museum
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 furnishin…
Reiman Gardens
It was created to provide staff and students of the university a place to relax and enjoy nature. It is a large botanical garden with indoor and outdoor displays. Among the highlights are a lovely rose garden, a conserva…
Ames History Center
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.
Brunnier Art Museum
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.
Christian Peterson Art Museum
Located in one of the oldest buildings on campus, this museum holds a series of changing contemporary art exhibitions. A small sculpture garden with changing exhibits is located behind the building.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 10°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DSM Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines — 34 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FOD Fort Dodge Regional Airport, Fort Dodge — 46 mi away. Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $95–$95 a night (typical $98), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$150, comfortable ~$210.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Brunnier Art Museum, Farm House Museum, Campanile
- Lunch Jeff's Pizza
- Afternoon Christian Peterson Art Museum, Reiman Gardens
- Dinner Thai Kitchen
- Evening Sips
Day 2
- Morning Ames History Center
- Lunch Aunt Maude's
- Afternoon Ada Hayden Heritage Park
- Dinner The Spice
- Evening Whiskey River
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
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.
Climate
Get in
By car
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 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 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) 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 Bandshell Park, a pleasant square that regularly holds concerts in the summer months.
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 brutalist-style buildings around the edges. A large lawn occupies the very center of the campus, with a small lake at the southern end.
See Campanile
Overlooking the central lawn is this classically-designed clock and bell tower, frequently used as an icon for the university.
- The main library on campus, 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.
Do
- 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 Jack Trice Stadium on University Blvd just south of Lincoln Way, while the basketball, wrestling, volleyball, and gymnastic teams play at Hilton Coliseum, at Lincoln Way & University Blvd.
- Next to the stadium complex are Iowa State's two performing art centers, the Stephens Auditorium and the Fisher Theater, both of which play host to a variety of concerts and plays.
Buy
ISU Cyclones' licensed paraphernalia (sweaters and such) are available from several retailers around town, but perhaps most notably at the 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 North Grand Mall between 24th and 30th Streets.
Eat
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:
Eat Aunt Maude's
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.
Eat The Cafe
Very popular restaurant with farm-to-table cuisine, vegetarian options, casual but chic atmosphere. Great desserts and wine list.
Eat Downtown Deli
Very bare-bones, but a nice local choice for sandwiches.
Eat The Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company
Pizza is hearty, but popular because of the crust. Has honey as a dipping sauce.
Eat Hickory Park
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.
Eat Jeff's Pizza
Pizza place offering some unusual toppings, Iowa State student favorite. Eat in or delivery.
Eat The Spice
Thai cuisine with a nice ambiance.
Eat Stomping Grounds
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.
Eat Thai Kitchen
A small Thai restaurant with friendly atmosphere.
Eat West Street Deli
A pleasant and rather unassuming deli on a quiet side of campus. Excellent sandwiches.
Drink
Alcohol purchases end at 2AM.
Drink Mickey's Irish Pub
Frat-bar with dance floor in the basement but not considered a club.
Drink Paddy's Irish Pub
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.
Drink Welch Avenue Station
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.
Drink Whiskey River
Dive bar on Main Street in downtown, three miles from campus.
Sleep
Most lodging in Ames is of the chain variety and is generally located either along I-35 or US Hwy 30. A collection of motels is located at the southeast corner of town off the Dayton Ave/US Hwy 30 interchange. There's also a couple of motels off the 13th St/I-35 interchange (exit 113) on the east side of town and south of the University Blvd/US 30 interchange on the south side of town.
Go next
- Story City is about a 15-minute drive north on I-35 or US Hwy 69 and has an antique carousel.
- Boone, about 20 miles to the west on US Hwy 30, is home to a scenic railroad. South of Boone is Ledges State Park, a scenic area with cliffs and bluffs along the Des Moines River.
- Des Moines, the capitol and largest city of Iowa, is 30 miles to the south on I-35 and has a number of attractions.
Nearby
Boone
City / town · 4 listings · 13 mi away
Ankeny
City / town · 8 listings · 21 mi away
Des Moines
City / town · 131 listings · 30 mi away
West Des Moines
City / town · 7 listings · 31 mi away
Marshalltown
City / town · 3 listings · 37 mi away
Carlisle
City / town · 5 listings · 37 mi away
Newton
City / town · 13 listings · 38 mi away
Fort Dodge
City / town · 4 listings · 44 mi away
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