20 Fun Things To Do In Ames, Iowa

Reiman Gardens is a 17-acre garden open to the public. It is located in Ames just south of Jack Trice Stadium of the Iowa State University and it belongs to the university. This location with a year-round operates many facilities such as the Butterfly Wing and the Rose Garden.

With seasonal events, educational programs, lectures, and guided tours, it enjoys its top ranking as a tourist attraction in Central Iowa. The visitors get to appreciate nature through a variety of terrains, myriad flowers, and serene walking paths, making it an ideal spot to unwind, learn, and be creative all year round.

Hilton Madison which occupies 14,767 of the seating area at Hilton Coliseum in the city of Ames in the state of Iowa is one other sport and event venue to mention.

This complex is well known for accommodating Iowa State University Cyclones men's and women's basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, and volleyball championships.

It is in demand as it has hosted a variety of events including NCAA rugged felt mats championships and epic local artists performances. Regardless of whether it is the Cyclones in action or some form of an event, one can always feel the atmosphere and the arena's great history.

Ames Octagon Center for the Arts is a community art center situated in the central part of Ames Iowa and began nurturing and promoting the arts in 1966. More than 30,000 people come to visit the center annually; besides, there are temporary exhibitions, workshops, studios for rent, and various projects for children and adults.

You also have the opportunity to visit the Octagon Shop which carries home accessories, and gifts produced by more than 180 regional and local designers and crafters. Be sure to attend the yearly Octagon Art Festival, which shows splendid works of art from different artists.

Ames Iowa State University in Iowa has something great and enjoyable to offer both local and international visitors. Take a walk around the well-kept grounds of the campus which boasts several attractions such as the Campanile, the old Beardshear Hall, and the peaceful Lake LaVerne that is home to swans Lancelot and Elaine.

One can also catch up with elegant world art collections at the Brunnier Art Museum or take a walk within Reiman Gardens a 17-acre floral showplace with installations of seasonal flowers and a butterfly wing.

Also, you can watch games at Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum and the sporting events the Cyclones offer for their fans.

Located on the bustling Main Street of Ames, Iowa, Torrent Brewing Company is a craft brewing and taproom in which numerous fantastic beers are offered. Local homebrewer Andy McCormick is the founder of this brewery and it focuses on the use of quality raw materials and techniques while brewing.

This spacious taproom is also kid-friendly and provides a conducive environment for customers to savor more experimental and seasonal brews. Hence, this can be one of the great things to do in Ames Iowa.

Located in Ames, Iowa, Perfect Games provides a vibrant ambiance with numerous activities for the entire family. It is made up of a 24-lane bowling and laser tagging in a two-story laser tag building and a large video games arcade that hosts above 70 games.

On the other hand, parents will enjoy the kids' play zone, and the whole family can engage in the 18-hole mini golf. Adults can also be at a sports bar or have some good healthy food from a delicious pizza restaurant.

Ideal for night outs with friends, hosting birthdays for children, or even team-building events, Perfect Games makes sure that one will never forget their experience there.

The Brunnier Art Museum offers a captivating gallery of decorative arts, featuring intricate carpets, fine furniture, and rotating exhibitions. Open daily to students, faculty, staff, community members, and tourists, it is part of the University Museums organization.

This group also includes the Farm House Museum, the Christian Petersen Art Museum, the Anderson Sculpture Garden, and one of the nation's largest campus public art collections.

The Brunnier's dynamic exhibitions, drawn from its permanent collection or visiting displays, emphasize decorative arts and provide engaging educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.

Furman Aquatic Center is an ideal family-oriented relaxation place. Inside the water park, there is a 50-meter lap pool for swimming lovers, a splash pool with a water play structure ideal for children, and also a lazy river for calm floating.

In addition, people looking for excitement will love the fun of three water slides, making the day more adventurous. There are also shaded seating and a snack bar available at the location. If you are taking a lap, splashing with the kids, or riding the slides, you can be sure that there are perfect moments at the water park.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park is a tranquil place ideal for a series of recreational activities. This 437-acre park is known for a beautiful fishing lake that invites guests to fish or stare at it. It has neat hiking and biking paths for those in love with nature and an active fitness regime.

The park is also fitted with dining spaces which are perfect for reunions while there is also a wetland which is useful for watching birds and other wildlife. With a 4.8 rating on Google and more than 1000 reviews praising its peace, beauty, and easy access, this place attracts all visitors' attention.

Prairie Moon Winery is a beautiful and perfect family-owned winery with a nice tasting room, a great view of the vineyard, and lots of areas for reception. This winery is more than wines and events and the company wants guests to have unforgettable experiences with their products.

Here, visitors appreciate the staff who are friendly and also know how to take the experience a notch higher with every visit. The event space available in the winery is adequate and can be well used for wedding receptions, and corporate meetings among others.

Overall, Prairie Moon Winery provides a warm environment that is hard to forget.

Do you enjoy pushing your limits? Then, No Escape Iowa located in Ames, Iowa is perfect for you! This venue offers modern escape rooms for various parties, and events, and even for all ages, families, and kids. The escape rooms are just a part of the entertainment offered by the club.

In addition, there are many more activities such as a puzzle room, workshops, and interesting classes. No Escape Iowa is ideal for those searching for activities to do either alone or with a group at an affordable rate due to large group discounts and most Importantly the Fun. In general, the place is awesome!

For individuals keen on exploring the rich local history of Ames, Iowa, the Ames History Museum provides an additive and fascinating experience. From the establishment of the area to the present day, the variety of exhibits, programs, and research resources available in the museum enables it to emphasize the history of the area.

The Ames Historical Society, which operates the museum, serves the public interest and seeks to provide distinctive learning experiences. The objective of the museum is to immerse people in the history of Ames as well as to collect and disseminate narratives representing the uniqueness of the city.

Get ready for a great time at Inside Golf & Games in Ames, Iowa's largest upscale amusement center! Do you prefer golfing or engaging in other types of games? Then look no further. With top-notch indoor golf simulators, here you can have fun playing virtual courses.

Take part in axe-throwing, duckpin bowling, baseball simulators, and traditional games like billiards, darts, football, and corn hole. There are ping pong, golf leagues, and two summer access bars with kitchens offering American cuisine and all are utilized.

Regardless of whether it's friends or family, Inside Golf & Games provides an entertaining and engaging environment for people of all ages.

The Farmers' Main Street Market is one of the active Ames events that happens every Saturday and draws more than 3,000 visitors every week. With 125 full-time, part-time, and charitable participants, the market has a diverse collection of handmade and grown items.

Functional kitchens or designer kitchenware, creative holiday decorations, organic meat, sweets baskets, and many more interesting items and food products are available, all made by local independent craftsmen and manufacturers.

There could not be a better place than this to enjoy the freshest produce from the market, buy unique souvenirs, and support the local economy.

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ames, is a center that promotes spirituality among its guests. The church has a gothic structure, stained glass windows, and timberwork inside, and is all round and serene.

Guided tours of the parish are available, along with access to facilities like a student center, where friendly church members welcome visitors. St. Thomas Aquinas offers wonderful opportunities to sit in silence, pray, and experience the spiritual richness of the Ames community, and is one of the best things to do in Iowa.

Brookside Park is an attractive well-maintained green area with outdoor amenities for recreation that all the family members can enjoy. The volleyball and tennis courts, several ballfields, and a wading pool for kids are a great addition to family activities.

Here, guests will have access to a basketball court, a pickleball court, and open spaces that are ideal for sitting and enjoying a picnic. The park features rental covered shelters with barbecue grills and those for parking are also available. It is also on a bus route, which makes it suitable for use by everyone.

Outside sports, picnics, and enjoying the lovely environment available in abundance in Ames, Brookside Park is a perfect place for such activities.

To those who love history, there is a place that they might like to go through, the farm house museum found in Ames Iowa. The structure known as Knapp-Wilson House is the oldest building that is located at Iowa State University's campus.

Originally it was constructed as a unit of a model farm that was used in the development of Iowa State University. Now it is a museum, and one can see the story of farming and schooling in Iowa here in the house.

The interiors that have been renovated, the items that are displayed, and the displays that indicate how the farm used to look can be accessed by visitors.

The Ames/ISU Ice Arena is a versatile structure mainly used for ice and other recreational social and sporting activities. It is mostly featured for ice occasions and contests and has the Cyclones Guys and Female Ice Hockey Groups along with Cyclone Synchronized Skating at Iowa State University.

It provides an opportunity for recreational, figure, and ice hockey classes for citizens of all ages. One can watch splendid Cyclones match, learn to skate, or simply pay a visit as this is also such a facility for recreational skating. With a cozy environment, the arena is ideal for ice sports. For those who want to watch, the excitement is easily available.

North Grand Cinema is a family-run business, competitively positioned to offer a local solution to the corporate multiplex cinema offerings. As an independent venture, it provides the ideal setup with multiple screens and stadium seating for an enjoyable experience.

In addition, the theater has self-service ticketing booths inside. North Grand Cinema has a range of films, so whether you want to see the latest Hollywood hit or watch an art house release you will be catered for. Further, for ticket bookings and showtimes, one can also visit the theater's official website North Grand Cinema.

Often regarded as the best Barbecue spot Hickory Park Ames IA restaurant is a family-run chain famous for its house-smoked meats and housemade American favorites.

It is among the restaurants in Ames where large customer space can be found and that offers hickory smoked tender and juicy options as well as barbeque, soft and meaty ribs, pulled porks, and others.

If you would rather have something else, head for the burger, fries, or some ice cream. Over all, this is the perfect place to visit with friends or your family members.