Located in Story County, Iowa, Ames is a rich city famous for being home to Iowa State University. Picnics, outdoor dining, and shopping are just some of the fun things to do in Ames.
With many open spaces, restaurants, museums, parks, and art exhibits, the place is filled with adventure! Are you planning to visit Ames but have yet to craft your itinerary? Well, I’ve covered the best things to do in Ames.
TL;DR
- Most significant landmark – The Iowa State University
- Park to visit – Brookside Park
- Free activity – Farm House Museum
- Activity for kids – The Perfect Games
- Activity for adults – Alluvial Brewing
- Place to eat – Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co.
- Nightlife – One Night Stand
- Place to stay – GrandStay Hotel & Suites (if you need accommodation, read our full guide on the best places to stay in Ames)
Things to Do in Ames, Iowa
1. Appreciate masterpieces at the Brunnie Art Museum
Address: Scheman Bldg, 295, 1800 Center Dr, Ames, IA 50011, United States
Brunnier Art Museum is one of the museums located inside Iowa State University. It’s famous among visitors and locals because it is the only accredited museum in the state.
Brunnier Art Museum primarily displays collections of functional art pieces. You’ll love this place if you like decorative arts like ceramics, dolls, and enameled metals!
The best thing about Brunnier Art Museum is its proximity to other art museums. If you have more time, drop by the Christian Petersen Art Museum, Farm House Museum, and Andersen Sculpture Garden. These museums will likewise make your artistic heart jump with happiness.
2. Relax and Play at the Brookside Park
Address: 1325 6th St, Ames, IA 50010, United States
What better way to relax than to stroll around a beautifully landscaped park? Another popular spot in Ames is Brookside Park. People of all ages enjoy a relaxing day out in this wide-open space. If you’re from a busy city, Brookside Park is the best place to find peace!
Brookside has all the amenities you’ll need for a perfect family day: ballfields, basketball courts, a playground, off-street parking, grills, picnic tables, a wading pool, and more!
You can also play basketball with your kids or challenge them to a tennis game. Or you can leave them in the playground as you tour around and appreciate the scenic view of the park.
See Related: Things to Do in Iowa
3. Sample Beer at Alluvial Brewing
Address: 3715 W 190th St, Ames, IA 50014, United States
Beer is not everyone’s cup of tea – I’d recommend tea for those people. But if you’re someone who is energized by alcohol, then this place is for you! This Midwest is home to countless incredible breweries, and this place is no different!
The Alluvial Brewing Company started as a small brewing house in a farmhouse. The head brewers aimed to create unique mixes that would showcase the culture of Ames.
Thus, you’ll find quality brews with strange flavors on their menu. They serve mixes in the flavors of rye, coffee, roasted peanuts, maple, and more. Tours around the vicinity also include a stop at the tasting room.
See Related: Best State Parks in Iowa to Visit
4. Learn more about Ames at The Boone County Historical Society
Address: 602 Story St, Boone, IA 50036, United States
The Boone County Historical Society was founded in 1924 to raise awareness of four county museums. It promotes:
- The Boone History Center
- The Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace
- Hickory Grove School
- The Kate Shelley Park & Museum
The Boone County Historical Center is an excellent starting point for learning about the county’s history. Visitors may learn about the county’s natural history, the railroad, and the military’s impact on the region.
An intriguing past awaits visitors to Boone County, Iowa, as coal miners, pioneers, farmers, businessmen, and military heroes have all called this city home.
5. Learn about fashion at the Textiles and Clothing Museum
Address: 1015 Morrill Hall, Ames IA
In the Textiles and Clothing Museum, students engage in hands-on activities while learning via visual and kinesthetic cues. The teaching collection is amassed, documented, preserved, and then interpreted and shown by the place.
Historical data can be used by students, academics, and academic researchers, and it is also made available to the general public through exhibits and other programs.
Its 9,000-item collection includes apparel, fabrics, accessories, and other dress-related objects dating from the 18th century.
6. Visit the historical Farm House Museum
Address: 601 Farm House Ln, Ames, IA 50011, United States
A short walk from the heart of Iowa State University’s campus, The Farm House Museum may be found on Farmhouse Lane to the west of campus.
The oldest structure on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa, is the Knapp–Wilson House. Erected between 1861 and 1865, this home was part of the model farm that would become Iowa State University. In 1964, it was honored to be named a National Historic Landmark.
The Iowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm’s initial structure was constructed in the 1860s. It houses over 6,000 items of Victorian-era ornamental art and antiques.
See Related: Best Iowa Family Vacations to Take This Year
7. Enjoy a show at the Stephens Auditorium
Address: 1900 Center Dr, Ames, IA 50011, United States
Stephens Auditorium hosts a spectacular assortment of international music and drama performances, as well as world-class orchestras, Broadway musicals, and other special events. It has a capacity of 2,729 people per show, with each seat having an unobstructed view.
The auditorium’s name was changed to Stephens Auditorium in honor of Clifford Y. Stephens. The project began in 1965 and was finished in 1969, with a total expenditure of $4.9 million.
8. Breathe in the fresh outdoors at the Ada Hayden Heritage Park
Address: 5205 Grand Ave, Ames, IA 50010, United States
Ada Hayden Heritage Park is one of Ames’s best things to do, as it has enormous open space. Both adult and child visitors can enjoy the place because of its boat access, covered shelters, and picnic areas.
Kids can also run around, use the drinking fountain, and follow the designated walking trails. Fishing is also allowed around the lake. If your furry buddies are leashed, it is a perfect picnic spot for families with pets.
See Related: What is Iowa Known For?
9. Sample local goods in Ames Main Street Cultural District
Address: 304 Main St Ames, IA 50010
Big box businesses and strip malls may be the most significant American contribution to commerce and architecture, but they aren’t everything.
Main Street Cultural District is home to locally-owned retailers, eateries, art festivals, and seasonal celebrations of many kinds. It’s a great area to go shopping or meet up with friends.
Ames Main Street is home to more than 50 locally owned specialized stores, art studios, and restaurants, making it a prime example of a Main Street in Iowa. The products sold in the area range from cheap to expensive.
See Related: Best Weekend Getaways in Iowa
10. Make your heart flutter in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing
Address: Ames, IA 50011, United States
Located just south of Jack Trice Stadium on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa, Reiman Gardens is a 17-acre university-owned public garden. It hosts events, talks, guided tours, and ISU student seminars.
At the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing in Ames, Iowa, you can hang out with up to 1,000 butterflies of 36 different species in a 2,500-square-foot facility. The Butterfly Wing offers a rare opportunity to see these wonderful insects from six continents.
See Related: Things to Do in Iowa City
11. Fill your heart and stomach at The Great Plains Sauce & Dough, Co.
Address: 129 Main St #101, Ames, IA 50010, United States
The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Company has provided the best pizza in central Iowa for over three decades. In Ames, try Great Plains Sauce and Dough if you like pizza. It’s a wheat bread crust that is quite thick.
After you’ve completed your pizza, you’ll be given honey bottles to finish the crust! The excellent mozzarella cheese is also a plus. The restaurant’s menu includes salads, sandwiches, pizza, and desserts.
12. Get your adrenaline rush at Perfect Games
Address: 1320 Dickinson Ave, Ames, IA 50014, United States
Perfect Games is one of my favorite things. Bowling, games, laser tag, and food are available at this facility for birthday celebrations. For private gatherings, separate rooms are available for purchase. A two-story indoor children’s playground has also been recently added.
Parties can use the bar and meals available for purchase, plus more package offers to fit any occasion.
See Related: Things to Do in Muscatine
How to Get Around Ames, Iowa
Ames is not only a wonderful place to visit for its impressive tourist spots and campgrounds. The city is well-loved by travelers because it’s easy to locate. And the transportation services are great!
There are three modes by which you can get to Ames: by car, by bus, and by plane. If you’re a solo traveler, you can travel by bus. This way, you’ll get the total experience of visitors.
But if you travel with your family, it would be best to bring your car to avoid getting lost. If that is impossible, you can book rental cars with RentalCars.com to compare pricing.
If you’re traveling by plane, the nearest major airport to Ames is in Des Moines. You can book a round-trip private transfer to and from your hotel for smooth travel.
See Related: Things to Do in Des Moines, Iowa
Places to Stay in Ames
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