Favorite Spots in Ames

Christopher
Christopher
Favorite Spots in Ames

Sightseeing

Main Street is our downtown neighborhood where you can find shopping, hair salons, and restaurants. There are great second hand shops for women's clothing and children's. There are cooking, jewelry, and sewing shops as well. On saturday's during the summer and early fall the farmers market runs from 8-12:30.
8 locals recommend
Main Street
Main Street
8 locals recommend
Main Street is our downtown neighborhood where you can find shopping, hair salons, and restaurants. There are great second hand shops for women's clothing and children's. There are cooking, jewelry, and sewing shops as well. On saturday's during the summer and early fall the farmers market runs from 8-12:30.
Iowa State University was founded in 1858 and has one of original farmhouses still active as a museum on campus. Spend and hour or so walking the grounds, there are statues, a bell tower which during the school year has someone who plays it daily, a beautiful pond, and the architecture is stunning. There are also horse barns where they raise Quarter horses and Thoroughbreds. The babies are adorable!
20 locals recommend
Iowa State University
2433 Union Dr
20 locals recommend
Iowa State University was founded in 1858 and has one of original farmhouses still active as a museum on campus. Spend and hour or so walking the grounds, there are statues, a bell tower which during the school year has someone who plays it daily, a beautiful pond, and the architecture is stunning. There are also horse barns where they raise Quarter horses and Thoroughbreds. The babies are adorable!
It's located right on campus & it's filled with amazing pieces of furniture and artwork. They are open Mon-Fri 12-4. One of the numerous gems to be found at ISU.
Farm House Museum
601 Farm House Ln
It's located right on campus & it's filled with amazing pieces of furniture and artwork. They are open Mon-Fri 12-4. One of the numerous gems to be found at ISU.
Feel free to stop & say hello to the horses. There were 45 babies born here in the last year. We drive by at least once a day and it's so sweet seeing the mares with their little ones.
ISU Horse Barn
1050 N University Blvd
Feel free to stop & say hello to the horses. There were 45 babies born here in the last year. We drive by at least once a day and it's so sweet seeing the mares with their little ones.

Parks & Nature

The lake has a paved walking path around the entirety of it which is about a 3 mile walk. There are more secluded paths that branch out from the main trail and the lake is gorgeous. There are 2 sets of restrooms and during the summer you can rent small canoes by the hour. It's about 10 minutes from our house.
26 locals recommend
Ada Hayden Heritage Park
5205 Grand Ave
26 locals recommend
The lake has a paved walking path around the entirety of it which is about a 3 mile walk. There are more secluded paths that branch out from the main trail and the lake is gorgeous. There are 2 sets of restrooms and during the summer you can rent small canoes by the hour. It's about 10 minutes from our house.
It is actually a nature preserve with trails running through and around it. You could spend quite a bit of time there walking through the woods and wandering around the large pond. It's a wonderful spot for butterfly watching and the main part is paved. They offer little classes or fun activities for the entire family throughout the spring, summer, and fall. This a bit further of a drive on some nice country roads, about 15-20 minutes from our house.
6 locals recommend
McFarland Park
56461 180th St
6 locals recommend
It is actually a nature preserve with trails running through and around it. You could spend quite a bit of time there walking through the woods and wandering around the large pond. It's a wonderful spot for butterfly watching and the main part is paved. They offer little classes or fun activities for the entire family throughout the spring, summer, and fall. This a bit further of a drive on some nice country roads, about 15-20 minutes from our house.
It has 2 big playgrounds, volleyball courts, and covered picnic areas. There also walking trails and trees and grass to lay in. This is favorite of the kids. This is a 5 minute drive from us.
Inis Grove Park
2500 Duff Ave
It has 2 big playgrounds, volleyball courts, and covered picnic areas. There also walking trails and trees and grass to lay in. This is favorite of the kids. This is a 5 minute drive from us.
This is a huge park! 4 playgrounds, a few bridges over the skunk river, paved walking trails in the woods on the far end, a wading pool thats open in the summer to cool the little people off, covered picnic areas and across the street is our skatepark. Only 10 minutes away.
6 locals recommend
Brookside Park
1325 6th St
6 locals recommend
This is a huge park! 4 playgrounds, a few bridges over the skunk river, paved walking trails in the woods on the far end, a wading pool thats open in the summer to cool the little people off, covered picnic areas and across the street is our skatepark. Only 10 minutes away.
A beautiful arboretum that has a huge butterfly room as well as fun children's area. It's open from May through the end of September. You can bring lunches and drinks and spend at least a few hours wandering around. 8$ for adults and 4$ for children 4-17.
38 locals recommend
Reiman Gardens
1407 University Blvd
38 locals recommend
A beautiful arboretum that has a huge butterfly room as well as fun children's area. It's open from May through the end of September. You can bring lunches and drinks and spend at least a few hours wandering around. 8$ for adults and 4$ for children 4-17.

Shopping

It is a florist shop and so much more. They decorate year round for every season and Christmas time is amazing. Jewelry, ornaments, local foods, candles,figurines, and beautifully arranged artificial flowers. I love stopping in every few months just to see how it looks. There's also a kitty who you can normally find sleeping in the windows.
Everts Flowers Home and Gifts
329 Main St
It is a florist shop and so much more. They decorate year round for every season and Christmas time is amazing. Jewelry, ornaments, local foods, candles,figurines, and beautifully arranged artificial flowers. I love stopping in every few months just to see how it looks. There's also a kitty who you can normally find sleeping in the windows.
Beautiful pieces many handmade from all over the world. It has a World Market feel to it. She has clothing, ceramics, purses, and jewelry.
Worldly Goods
223 Main St
Beautiful pieces many handmade from all over the world. It has a World Market feel to it. She has clothing, ceramics, purses, and jewelry.
The owner is a great lady who is always on the lookout for amazing vintage clothing, knick knacks, and furniture. Her Halloween costume section is outstanding!
Random Goods Vintage Consignment
330 Main St
The owner is a great lady who is always on the lookout for amazing vintage clothing, knick knacks, and furniture. Her Halloween costume section is outstanding!
It's a huge old fashioned toy store filled with anything you can imagine for children of all ages!
The Pumpkin Patch
302 Main St
It's a huge old fashioned toy store filled with anything you can imagine for children of all ages!
It's a gorgeous consignment store that also carries new items. It's fun just walk through and the ladies that run it are so sweet.
Lindsey Loo's
312 Main St
It's a gorgeous consignment store that also carries new items. It's fun just walk through and the ladies that run it are so sweet.

Essentials

Very friendly service and they take the cart out to your car for you! They don't accept tips. Smaller grocery store, they are closed on Sundays.
9 locals recommend
Fareway Grocery
619 Burnett Ave
9 locals recommend
Very friendly service and they take the cart out to your car for you! They don't accept tips. Smaller grocery store, they are closed on Sundays.
It's a full grocery store with a pharmacy and liquor store as well. They have decent salad bar and different types of hot meals you can sit down and eat there. Starbucks inside. They have a large bakery and the cheeses are delicious.
13 locals recommend
Hy-Vee
3800 Lincoln Way
13 locals recommend
It's a full grocery store with a pharmacy and liquor store as well. They have decent salad bar and different types of hot meals you can sit down and eat there. Starbucks inside. They have a large bakery and the cheeses are delicious.
Squeaky Clean Laundromat
517 Lincoln Way
It's is only 5 minutes away.
Mary Greeley Medical Center
1111 Duff Ave
It's is only 5 minutes away.
Walgreens
2719 Grand Ave
3 minutes from our house.
Walmart Supercenter
3105 Grand Ave
3 minutes from our house.

Entertainment & Activities

It's open mid May through Labor Day weekend. It has areas for toddlers, small children and older kids as well, water slides for most ages and a lazy river. Admission is 7$ and they also have food.
8 locals recommend
Furman Aquatic Center
1635 13th St
8 locals recommend
It's open mid May through Labor Day weekend. It has areas for toddlers, small children and older kids as well, water slides for most ages and a lazy river. Admission is 7$ and they also have food.
Need to entertain small people for hours, this is the place! Bowling, arcade, laser tag, bounce house, mini golf, and full service bar and pizzas! Prices aren't bad either.
9 locals recommend
Perfect Games
1320 Dickinson Ave
9 locals recommend
Need to entertain small people for hours, this is the place! Bowling, arcade, laser tag, bounce house, mini golf, and full service bar and pizzas! Prices aren't bad either.
The theater just opened about 6 months ago. They have a full bar and huge recliners with foot rests. You reserve tickets online and pick your own seats. They even give you mints at the door when you leave.
9 locals recommend
North Grand Mall station
9 locals recommend
The theater just opened about 6 months ago. They have a full bar and huge recliners with foot rests. You reserve tickets online and pick your own seats. They even give you mints at the door when you leave.
They are a wonderful activity packed orchard where the kids can spend at least 2- 3 hours playing. There's a corn pool, pedal tractors, huge slides, trampolines, and 2 corn mazes. You can pick apples or just enjoy the fun. Opens early Sept. check website for exact dates. Located 20-25 min from our place.
Center Grove Orchard
32835 610th Ave
They are a wonderful activity packed orchard where the kids can spend at least 2- 3 hours playing. There's a corn pool, pedal tractors, huge slides, trampolines, and 2 corn mazes. You can pick apples or just enjoy the fun. Opens early Sept. check website for exact dates. Located 20-25 min from our place.
Football season begins in September! Iowans love their college football. Come check out a game, they're always a great time!
Jack Trice Stadium station
Football season begins in September! Iowans love their college football. Come check out a game, they're always a great time!
Summer is here & so is the farmers market. It's not too big, but you'll find some yummy food and meet some of the locals. The shopping is great on Main Street as well.
Farmers Market Main Street
424-498 Main St
Summer is here & so is the farmers market. It's not too big, but you'll find some yummy food and meet some of the locals. The shopping is great on Main Street as well.
Need a hour or two to entertain the kiddos, this is the place. There are computers for them, duplo building area, puppet show, & pretend kitchen to keep them busy. Lots of reading nooks for the older kids to hang in, and during the summer they offer free movies on Friday for the kids.
Ames Public Library
515 Douglas Ave
Need a hour or two to entertain the kiddos, this is the place. There are computers for them, duplo building area, puppet show, & pretend kitchen to keep them busy. Lots of reading nooks for the older kids to hang in, and during the summer they offer free movies on Friday for the kids.

Getting Around

We also have UBER here in Ames to help get you around town.
We have a bus stop one house over and it 60 cents per ride. The schedule may be a bit different during football games.
CyRide
601 N University Blvd
We have a bus stop one house over and it 60 cents per ride. The schedule may be a bit different during football games.

Arts & Culture

It's a great space located in downtown Ames with local artists as well as classes that are offered throughout the year. If you're looking for a one of a kind gift, this would be a wonderful place to go.
9 locals recommend
Octagon Center For the Arts
427 Douglas Ave
9 locals recommend
It's a great space located in downtown Ames with local artists as well as classes that are offered throughout the year. If you're looking for a one of a kind gift, this would be a wonderful place to go.
It's located in downtown Ames and it's a great way to learn a bit about the history of our city.
Ames Historical Society
416 Douglas Ave
It's located in downtown Ames and it's a great way to learn a bit about the history of our city.