Skip to Content

31 Best and Fun Things To Do In Ames, Iowa


TouristWire Editors

Located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a wonderful community to visit.

The city is best known as the home of Iowa State University, with leading and successful agriculture, design, and engineering colleges.

Ames offers four seasons of activities that you can do year-round. Ames also features over 50 miles worth of shared-use trails, sports fields, and outdoor concerts on weekends!

If you’re looking for a destination worth a visit, Ames won’t disappoint.

Keep reading to discover our list of the top things to do in Ames, Iowa

The 31 Most Popular Things To Do In Ames, Iowa

31. Ioway Creek

4.4 ★★★★☆ (5 reviews)

800px-gallinula galeata at squaw creek nwr

Credit: U.S. Fish Wildlife, License, Wikimedia commons

30. Audubon Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ (7 reviews)

Af1qipp -wrwkpgnwcivtdsobtot6bmhlqyzbnkiesrg=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Noa Finken, Google Maps

Location: Unnamed Rd. Ames IA

29. Skunk River Bridge

4.4 ★★★★☆ (7 reviews)

15005584714 b7d9e6e0e4 h

Credit: photolibrarian, License, Flickr

Location: Ames IA

Tel:  641 260 1262

28. East & West Peterson Park

5.0 ★★★★★ (8 reviews)

Af1qipnrb4n1ffzhvdra1o3vtqcbzyr0ske3w 208ioe=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: rando vids, Google Maps

Location: 55310 180th Street Ames IA

Tel:  515 232 2516

Web Address:   https://mycountyparks.com/County/Story/Park/Peterson-Park.aspx

27. Anderson Sculpture Garden

4.6 ★★★★★ (15 reviews)

Af1qipmewm 5ywkxpbyompiqhu9j3xtbl6wsyys44wlz=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Anderson Sculpture Garden, Google Maps

Location: hall Morrill Hall 601 Morrill Road Ames IA

Tel:  515 294 3342

Web Address:   http://museums.iastate.edu/AndersonSculpture.html

26. Reiman Gardens Conservatory

5.0 ★★★★★ (17 reviews)

800px-rg conservatory inside

Credit: GardenLover2008, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 1207 S University Blvd Ames IA

Tel:  515 294 4817

Web Address:   http://fpm.iastate.edu/maps/building.asp

25. Lake LaVerne

4.6 ★★★★★ (19 reviews)

25896196922 6ded4300d1 h

Credit: photolibrarian, License, Flickr

24. Old Town Historic District

4.7 ★★★★★ (19 reviews)

546px-823 douglas avenue

Credit: Jim Roberts, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 307 8th Street Ames IA

Tel:  515 239 5101

Web Address:   https://cityofames.org/

23. Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor

4.9 ★★★★★ (36 reviews)

Af1qipnfc4pvn5t7ww5hry8a47dt9 bk59gnzc16qerw=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: rando vids, Google Maps

Location: 1815 Plaza Lp Ames IA

Web Address:   http://storycountyiowa.gov/index.aspx

22. Soper’s Mill

4.5 ★★★★★ (37 reviews)

Af1qipnrabu0fy5rkhuasiwh1faacqvzen3kgr lcrza=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: David Seiser, Google Maps

Location: 56501 170th Street Ames IA

Tel:  515 232 2516

Web Address:   https://mycountyparks.com/County/Story/Park/Sopers-Mill.aspx

21. Stuart Smith Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ (49 reviews)

Af1qipmt5c j c1oblfq8kmvtru23ktnmvbe9w0xjmst=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Justin Norman, Google Maps

Location: 1501 S 4th Street Ames IA

Tel:  515 239 5120

Web Address:   http://cityofames.org/index.aspx

20. Izaak Walton League Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (61 reviews)

Location: 2066 Streetagecoach Road Ames IA

Tel:  515 290 9745

Web Address:   http://amesikes.org/

19. Veenker Memorial Golf Course

4.7 ★★★★★ (88 reviews)

Af1qipn-8tt302ebpnsi51fpfg--x6fvz apttju-ne-=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Veenker Memorial Golf Course, Google Maps

Location: Veenker Clubhouse 2916 Veenker Dr Ames IA

Tel:  515 294 6727

Web Address:   http://veenkergolf.com/

18. Emma McCarthy Lee Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (97 reviews)

Location: 3400 Ross Road Ames IA

Tel:  515 239 5350

Web Address:   https://cityofames.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/44/471

17. World’s Largest Concrete Gnome

4.4 ★★★★☆ (134 reviews)

7192390432 bc486aa0f4 z

Credit: Jody Halsted, License, Flickr

Location: 1407 S University Blvd Ames IA

Tel:  515 294 2710

Web Address:   http://reimangardens.com/

16. Moore Memorial Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (230 reviews)

Af1qipnx6iamsucyotg8daefbgkqyix5uu3kzk-u3ci4=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Lori Arends, Google Maps

Location: 3050 Northridge Pkwy Ames IA

Tel:  515 239 5350

Web Address:   https://cityofames.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/76/471

15. North River Valley Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (232 reviews)

48286402262 0f2192215a h

Credit: photolibrarian, License, Flickr

Location: 725 E 13th Street Ames IA

Tel:  515 239 5350

Web Address:   http://cityofames.org/index.aspx

14. McFarland Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (329 reviews)

7258270490 6191ca2412 h

Credit: Scott McLeod, License, Flickr

Location: 56461 180th Street Ames IA

Tel:  515 232 2516

Web Address:   https://mycountyparks.com/County/Story/Park/McFarland-Park.aspx

13. Bandshell Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (342 reviews)

800px-bandshell-1

Credit: Dagwin57, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Duff Ave & 6th Street 125 E 5th Street Ames IA

Tel:  515 239 5365

Web Address:   http://cityofames.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/10/471

12. Inis Grove Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (460 reviews)

30654204035 d93e0f4683 k

Credit: Carl Wycoff, License, Flickr

Location: 2500 Duff Ave Ames IA

Tel:  515 239 5350

Web Address:   http://cityofames.org/index.aspx

11. Ada Hayden Heritage Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (1,059 reviews)

800px-adahayden ames iowa

Credit: User:Manop, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 5205 Grand Ave Ames IA

Tel:  515 239 5360

Web Address:   http://cityofames.org/index.aspx

10. Perfect Games

4.3 ★★★★☆ (1,458 reviews)

Af1qipmzlh h13v3uvdn25m 7clwsvijktfgzdbqwm1u=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Perfect Games, Google Maps

Location: 1320 Dickinson Ave Ames IA

Tel:  515 598 2695

Web Address:   http://perfectgamesinc.com/

Our Top picks

9. Brunnier Art Museum

4.7 ★★★★★ (19 reviews)

Location: Scheman Bldg 295 1800 Center Dr Ames IA

Tel:  515 294 3342

Web Address:   https://museums.iastate.edu/visit/brunnier-art-museum/

8. Christian Petersen Art Museum

4.7 ★★★★★ (19 reviews)

Af1qippxhqqxv-zbef6y2ydtfxjsf3rm8t2qtcmi8cmg=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Christian Petersen Art Museum, Google Maps

Location: 603 Morrill Road Ames IA

Tel:  515 294 9500

Web Address:   https://museums.iastate.edu/visit/christian-petersen-art-museum/

7. Ames History Museum

4.9 ★★★★★ (23 reviews)

Location: 416 Douglas Ave # 101 Ames IA

Tel:  515 232 2148

Web Address:   http://ameshistory.org/

6. Farm House Museum

4.8 ★★★★★ (26 reviews)

Location: 601 Farm House Ln Ames IA

Tel:  515 294 7426

Web Address:   https://museums.iastate.edu/visit/farm-house-museum/

5. Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake

4.8 ★★★★★ (31 reviews)

800px-adahayden ames iowa

Credit: User:Manop, License, Wikimedia commons

4. Octagon Center For the Arts

4.7 ★★★★★ (82 reviews)

Location: 427 Douglas Ave Ames IA

Tel:  515 232 5331

Web Address:   http://octagonarts.org/

3. Furman Aquatic Center

4.5 ★★★★★ (331 reviews)

3608905057 ee583ca1ad h

Credit: Carl Wycoff, License, Flickr

Location: 1635 13th Street Ames IA

Tel:  515 232 7665

Web Address:   http://amesparkrec.org/

2. Brookside Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (608 reviews)

3438887946 c7e14fda4c h

Credit: Carl Wycoff, License, Flickr

Location: 1325 6th Street Ames IA

Tel:  515 239 5350

Web Address:   http://cityofames.org/index.aspx

1. Reiman Gardens

4.8 ★★★★★ (724 reviews)

399px-rg christina reiman butterfly wing

Credit: GardenLover2008, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 1407 University Blvd Ames IA

Tel:  515 294 2710

Web Address:   http://reimangardens.com/

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Ames, Iowa! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

Join the TouristWire community

At TouristWire, our team works tirelessly to bring you the most comprehensive itineraries and reviews to help you plan your next trip. Don’t miss out, join our mailing list and our reviews delivered directly to your mailbox!

.