Newcomer? Add These 10 Fun Activities in Ames to Your List
If you are a newcomer to the Ames, Greater Boone and Story County region, welcome! Now, buckle up – here are 10 fun activities in Ames and the surrounding communities to add to your calendar before one year has passed.
In This Article
1. Walk Through Downtown Ames
Mosey along the streets of downtown Ames and pop into shops like Dog-Eared Books for your next page-turner and Duck Worth Wearing for cute consignment items. You can also gaze at outdoor art like the colorful murals on Kellogg Avenue and 111 Main Street or check out the Octagon Center for the Arts and its Community Gallery.
2. Attend a Festival/Event
Take a look at all of the events and festivals held in the region throughout the year, and you’ll soon realize that this area knows how to have a good time. Check out Gilbert Days in Gilbert, Huxley Prairie Festival in Huxley and the Colo Crossroads Festival in Colo. Plus, late October brings Ames’ annual Downtown Trick or Treat, where participating downtown businesses open up their shops to trick-or-treaters.
3. Grab a Drink
Quench your thirst with an alcoholic drink at one of the region’s hot spots. Try Flight Bar + Grille and Sweet Caroline’s Kitchen & Cocktails for refreshing craft cocktails; Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyards for delicious reds and whites; and Dublin Bay Irish Pub & Grill and Alluvial Brewing Company for a cold, refreshing brewski.
4. Snag Baked Goods
In the mood for a sweet treat or soft, flaky pastry? Good news! Mouthwatering baked goods can be found throughout the region. Check out Bricktown Bakery in Nevada (try an apple fritter and coffee), Amero Bakery in Ames (try one of their classic chocolate chip cookies), Great Harvest Bakery & Café in Ames (try a high-rise cinnamon roll), or Van Hemert’s Dutch Oven Bakery in Ames and Boone (try a pecan roll or almond horn).
5. Visit a Farmers Market
Farmers markets throughout the region sell everything from fresh arugula to zucchini. Maxwell’s Market in the Park in Maxwell is open every second and fourth Sunday each month from May through September, while Ames Main Street Farmers Market operates every Saturday from May through October. Another that you don’t want to miss is Roland Farmers Market in the city of Roland, which is held in a lot north of 201 E. Maple St. Here, attendees can buy baked goods, honey, fresh produce, jams, eggs and more.
6. Go for a Swim
Summer in the Ames, Greater Boone and Story County region was made for water activities, and one of the best places to visit is Furman Aquatic Center. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the center opens its $10 million water recreation facility, which is located on 13th Street in the heart of Ames. Attractions include a lazy river with a waterfall, two water slides and a 50-meter pool with basketball hoops, a platform and a springboard. Also on-site is a recreational pool for smaller kids that is equipped with slides for children and toddlers. And if you get hungry while there, check out the center’s concession stand for a quick snack and drink.
7. Take a Stroll
Enjoy a little movement outdoors. Ledges State Park in Madrid features a 4-mile trail system that winds through steep slopes and scenic overviews. In other words, it allows you to bask in Iowa’s natural beauty while exercising. Other great places to walk include Stuart Smith Park in Ames, Dakins Lake Trail in Zearing and Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, which travels through multiple communities.
8. Explore a Museum
Head to some of the region’s must-visit museums and immerse yourself in history and culture. Visit Ames History Museum in Ames, Maxwell Museum in Maxwell, Roland Museum in Roland, and Brunnier Art Museum and Christian Petersen Art Museum on Iowa State University’s campus.
9. Catch a Sporting Event
Attend an Iowa State University athletic event and root for the Cyclones. Check out the university’s calendar and find everything from men’s basketball, cross-country, football, golf, track and field, and wrestling as well as women’s basketball, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
10. Hit the Links
Whether you’re a newbie or consider yourself a skilled golfer, the region offers plenty of places to practice your swing. Top destinations to hit ’em far and straight include Twin Anchors Golf Course in Colo, Cedar Pointe Golf Course in Boone and Homewood Golf Course in Ames. You might also try teeing it up at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames, which is operated by Iowa State University and has been ranked among “America’s Best State Public Access Courses” by Golfweek magazine.
Get to Know the Ames Region
Want to learn more about living and working in Ames, IA? Check out the latest edition of Livability Ames, Iowa, And The Greater Boone & Story County Region.