Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Ames, Iowa

Around 35 miles north of Des Moines, the city of Ames is primarily recognized for Iowa State University (ISU), which is the largest university in the state and the third-largest within the Big 12 Conference.

With a sprawling, picturesque campus, the university contributes several museums, remarkable architecture, world-class cultural events, and a rich array of varsity sports activities.

There is a vibrant, youthful atmosphere in the city, particularly evident in the Campustown district, which boasts a variety of bars and restaurants.

In contrast, downtown Ames to the east features independent eateries, shops, and cultural institutions, many of which have been longstanding fixtures in the community.

1. Iowa State University

With an enrollment exceeding 30,000 students annually, Iowa State University constitutes a significant presence in Ames, accounting for a substantial portion of the population, and features a verdant campus recognized as one of the most beautiful in the nation.

There are a minimum of five university museums located on campus, several of which will be highlighted below.

For those attending a sports or cultural event at ISU, the expansive Modernist complex known as the Iowa State Center, which comprises five venues constructed between 1969 and 1975, is likely to be your destination.

A notable historical landmark to visit is the solemn Neoclassical Beardshear Hall (1906), which houses many of the university’s administrative offices and replaced the Old Main building, which was destroyed by fire in 1902.

Southeast of the university lies the lively Campustown, offering a plethora of dining, shopping, and nightlife options catering to a youthful demographic.

2. Reiman Gardens

At the southern end of the Iowa State Center is the university’s exquisite, 17-acre botanical garden.

This attraction operates year-round, featuring both indoor and outdoor spaces. The interior includes a spacious conservatory complex that houses tropical plants along with regularly updated seasonal displays.

Adjacent to this is the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing, showcasing a stunning indoor tropical garden that is home to butterflies from six continents, features such as remarkable emergence cases.

Outdoors, visitors can enjoy a rose garden with 2,000 plants, a herb garden, a children’s garden themed around Iowa, a maze garden, and many additional attractions.

3. Jack Trice Stadium

Opened in 1975, the new stadium for Iowa State Cyclones football was named in honor of the college’s first African-American athlete, who tragically lost his life over half a century prior.

A remarkably skilled tackle, Jack Trice (1902-1923) succumbed to injuries sustained during his first game following a roll block, a maneuver that has since been banned.

Currently experiencing a successful phase under Coach Matt Campbell, the Cyclones are founding members of the Big 12 Conference and consistently fill their 61,500-seat venue, which underwent a state-of-the-art renovation in 2015.

The game day experience is vibrant and lively, with ISU having hosted ESPN’s signature pregame show twice in just three years at the time of this writing.

There is a palpable energy surrounding the stadium, which offers one of the finest tailgating atmospheres in the country. Win or lose, the fans in attendance create a spirited and supportive environment.

4. Brunnier Art Museum

Situated within ISU’s Iowa State Center, the Brunnier Art Museum is the only accredited institution in the state dedicated to decorative arts.

Founded in 1975, this museum is named in honor of Iowa State alumnus Henry J. Brunnier and his wife Ann, who generously donated an impressive collection of glass, ceramics, jade, enamels, dolls, and ivory.

The museum hosts traveling exhibitions featuring extraordinary painting, sculpture, textiles, furniture, woodwork, silver, prints, and much more, drawn from the rich University Art Collection.

Additionally, the museum organizes an engaging array of lectures, gallery tours, conferences, and panel discussions.

5. Ames History Museum

The local history museum located in downtown Ames is a Smithsonian affiliate, offering insights into the city’s history through excellent temporary exhibitions.

At the time of writing, the featured exhibit was “Black Trailblazers,” highlighting nine pioneering African-American individuals from Ames, including Jack Trice, as well as prominent figures like George Washington Carver, notable attorney Walter Madison, and Willa J. Ewing, the first African-American woman to graduate from ISU in 1926.

This feature exhibit is complemented by up to six smaller exhibits, covering diverse topics such as Ames’ medical history, electricity generation, and the history of immigration in Iowa.

6. Stephens Auditorium

In the same extensive complex as the Jack Trice Stadium is a Modernist performing arts venue with a capacity of 2,734 seats, which opened in 1969 and stands as one of the state’s premier cultural centers.

The Stephens Auditorium significantly enhances Ames’ cultural offerings with an exceptional program of performances year-round.

These may include opera, touring orchestras, Broadway musicals, plays, renowned recording artists, ballet companies, world-famous comedians, or family-oriented shows.

The auditorium boasts some of the finest acoustics available and provides unobstructed views from all seating areas.

7. Christian Petersen Art Museum

When Danish-born sculptor Christian Petersen joined ISU in 1934, he became the first artist in residence at any US college or university.

Petersen remained in Ames for over two decades, teaching and creating an extensive body of work, and is recognized as the founder of the university’s Art on Campus Collection.

The museum established in his honor opened in 2007, showcasing sculptures by Petersen as well as a rotating selection of contemporary art exhibitions.

The museum occupies the impressive Morrill Hall (1891), which was designed in the Romanesque Revival style and underwent renovation in 2005.

8. Furman Aquatic Center

Ames features an exceptional public water park, which has been a summer staple for over a decade.

Occupying land owned and leased at no cost by ISU, the Furman Aquatic Center includes an Olympic-sized lap pool that seamlessly integrates with a large recreational pool.

Furthermore, there is a designated play pool for children aged six and under, tube slides, a drop slide, and a lengthy lazy river that culminates in a waterfall.

The pool deck accommodates about 200 lounge chairs, with lush greenery, and the center’s concession stand includes four serving windows to minimize wait times.

9. Ada Hayden Heritage Park

This relatively new park located in the northern part of Ames was established on the site of a former flooded gravel quarry.

The park is named after Ada Hayden (1884-1950), a respected botanist and curator of the Iowa State University Herbarium.

The lake here comprises two sections, surrounded by a multi-use path that crosses a causeway in the middle, part of an extensive system featuring both hard-surface and crushed limestone areas.

This area is a prime location for outdoor recreation during the warmer months, with opportunities for fishing, hiking, biking, or paddling, as rentals for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are available in the summer.

10. Octagon Center for the Arts

A cornerstone of Ames’ cultural environment for over fifty years, the Octagon Center for the Arts is located in a historic building downtown.

Visitors can explore the city’s artistic creativity through numerous exhibitions held throughout the year and support local artisans by purchasing unique items from the shop, which showcases nearly 200 artists from the local community and the wider region.

The center also plays an important educational role within the community, conducting workshops, classes, and camps that cover a wide array of artistic skills.

The Octagon maintains a presence at the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market held every second Saturday morning, and organizes the successful Octagon Art Festival in September each year.

11. Brookside Park

Adjacent to the ISU campus along Ioway Creek lies a family-friendly public park filled with various activities. There is a captivating riverside trail that extends south from the Furman Aquatic Center.

This trail is illuminated at night and crosses the creek via a picturesque bridge. It leads to several covered shelters located on the southeastern side, along with the Brookside Park Wading Pool, which is open to younger children during the summer.

Other facilities include baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts (including pickleball), sand volleyball courts, and play areas for young children.

12. The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co.

One of several independent establishments lining Main Street in downtown Ames, this pizzeria has been an integral part of the Ames culinary landscape for over four decades.

For many locals, this establishment is considered the premier pizzeria in Central Iowa, utilizing regional ingredients whenever feasible while offering traditional and innovative pizza creations.

The dough is freshly prepared daily, and customers can stop by from Monday to Saturday during lunch hours for pizza by the slice. A selection of six different crust styles is available, including three thin and three thick variations.

One noteworthy option is the unique oat flour crust, while one of the more unconventional specialty pizzas on the menu is the Taco Pizza, topped with mild taco sauce and crushed tortilla chips.

13. Alluvial Brewing Company

Located in the rural farmland northwest of Ames, this brewing operation is surrounded by hop fields. Alluvial Brewing Company produces small batches, focusing on quality and flavor.

Visitors can enjoy a pint at the spacious taproom, which features a minimalist aesthetic.

Some of the 15 brews available when this listing was compiled included the Japanese-inspired Chuseki Rice Lager, Mosacious Pale Ale, Lontra IPA, Waitoreke NIPA, Moonbelt Immolator DIPA, and the Visitor Imperial Stout, named after Iowa’s famous cryptid.

Typically, live music is scheduled Thursday through Saturday, showcasing a variety of genres from soul to cowpunk.

14. Ledges State Park

Dramatic natural landscapes can be found a short drive west of Ames at this state park situated along Peas Creek, where the watercourse converges with the Des Moines River. The creek has carved a gorge through sandstone bedrock, with depths reaching up to 100 feet in certain areas.

Established in 1924, Ledges State Park is one of Iowa’s oldest parks, retaining its popularity due to its striking cliffs.

The park features a four-mile trail network that meanders through steep slopes and ascends to breathtaking overlooks. In the summer, one particularly scenic way to explore the terrain is via the Streamwalk, which allows visitors to traverse the shallow streambed, seldom exceeding ankle depth.

15. Perfect Games

Pursued as the top family entertainment venue in Iowa, Perfect Games is conveniently located off U.S. 30 in the southwest region of Ames.

This center hosts a multitude of attractions all under one roof, including a state-of-the-art, 24-lane bowling alley, an expansive arcade, and a two-story laser tag arena.

Additionally, the venue features the full-service Kingpin Pizza, serving stone-baked pizza made from scratch each day accompanied by craft beer on tap.

Throughout the facility, approximately 30 television screens are strategically placed, 15 of which are large screens broadcasting the major sporting events while you play, dine, or socialize.