I'm bringing my son out at the end of the month to meet with the coaches, roll around for a day on the mats and take a tour.. Are there any "must see" type places in Ames that we should try to get to see in the short time while there? Any suggestions? Thanks.
Must see places in Ames?
- Thread starter MCooley
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Everyone is gonna say Hickory Park (BBQ Restaurant) if you don't have that much time.
Depending on what type of BBQ you've had, it's either amazing or trash. I will let you decide as to not sway your decision one way or the other.
Depending on what type of BBQ you've had, it's either amazing or trash. I will let you decide as to not sway your decision one way or the other.
To be honest, him being able to see the facility and meet with the coaches will be awesome I'm sure. But the biggest selling point for me, on my visit to Iowa State, was when I visited the campus for the first time. It's beautiful, especially this time of the year (fall is probably the most picturesque) but getting a feel for that, seeing all of the buildings he would be in and the places to eat/study/hang out/etc. will probably be a little surprising (in a good way) to him. I'd guess you will be seeing the Coliseum and JTS as well? If not, its worth a drive by/peek in at the very least.
Food places around campus are depending on what you're looking for. For sandwiches, i'd suggest West Street Deli. What exactly are you thinking you may want to do other than what is already set up? Anything you want to see or try and find?
I concur with the above about talking walk around Central Campus area. When I visited the first time it was brutal cold/winter, but second was gorgeous April blooming campus and decision was sold. Now we take the kids there often on weekend picnics and are still stuck but its park like beauty.
Restaurants will depend on what you want. Be too vague and this thread will turn into a 20 page debate! Ames has a good selection but some of the reviews are (me too!) clouded by memory and nostalgia
- West St Deli as mentioned above is good 'hole in the wall' soup/sandwich.
- Stomping Grounds has a nice treed patio, coffee, sandwiches.
- Hickory Park is the large portion big restaurant BBQ.
- "Downtown" Ames has a unique (thick crust) pizza place called Great Plains.
- If you want nicer sit-down/healthy and delicious food, try the Cafe on the north side or its related restaurant, Provisions, on the south side
- Dublin Bay is a unique Irish restaurant with nice cozy atmosphere, also on south side near Hickory Park and Provisions
- then there are all of the various asian restaurant choices (Chinese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese) with nicer and more casual - ask someone on your visit for their favorite. Most are very casual $5-10...downtown has a more sit-down Thai place called The Spice.
- ...more here https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g29355-Ames_Iowa.html
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I've lived in the Ames area since 03 and I really can't think of many places I would recommend in general. Guess it depends what you're looking for. If you guys want to get a little exercise, sun, and some nice scenery, the Carroll Marty disc golf course and ISU disc golf course are both definitely worth an hour of your time. If you don't have any discs, go to Jax Outdoor Gear to pick up a couple and look around while you're there. Ada Hayden Heritage Park is a nice area with a small lake where you can fish, walk the trails around the lake, or just hang out and enjoy the view. As mentioned by another poster, Ames is a regular town so there's not really a whole lot if anything I would consider must see.
*edit* Walk around the ISU campus. That is about as close to must see as it gets in Ames.
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Walk the campus. Walk Lincoln way/Welch store front areas. Reiman gardens by Jack Trice. Drive around Jack Trice and Hilton.
There isn't any mountains, islands skyscrappers, like some people want to see, but not having all that is what makes it great for me.
There isn't any mountains, islands skyscrappers, like some people want to see, but not having all that is what makes it great for me.
Well you gotta eat!
Understood though...In that case, again, campus is the 'main attraction' in Ames, as well as the aforementioned stadium area. "Campus" extends quite a bit away from the main area, to the stadium and intramural fields to south, golf course and apartments to north. Immediately south of campus is "Campustown", which is kind of nice/kind of dumpy. East of campus is downtown, nicer but quieter. North of campus the Somerset area is a nice neighborhood. Mostly for "attractions" Ames is basically a nice college town with nice parks and neighborhoods, etc. Also a nice small lake on north side, Ada Hayden on map. Ames is often top-10 college towns on random lists (https://www.desmoinesregister.com/s...ty-ames-best-college-towns-america/680923001/) Or as DeAndre Kane's mom called it "FocusTown"! (quote below)
Coming in from US Hwy 30, University Blvd will take you by the stadium. Duff Ave is where all the fast-food restaurants are. Have a great visit!
(FocusTown) http://www.espn.com/blog/collegebas...7520/iowa-states-kane-playing-for-biggest-fan
Outside the campus/sports facilities, there are zero must see places in Ames.
What about that creepy guy's structure out west (or is it east?) of Ames?
I’ve always found the periodicals room in the library to be wonderful.
Ahh the doll house thing? I believe it's west towards Ames Golf and Country Club. Yes, that is very creepy.
It is straight west from Ames Golf and Country Club but it's not an attraction and would be pretty boring because you can't walk up to it or go in it.
You would need a couple hours to commit, but hiking at ledges state park is great. 10 minute or so drive from campus.
Short on time, go to reimen gardens south of Jack Trice Stadium.
Short on time, go to reimen gardens south of Jack Trice Stadium.
You could get shot at though. That takes it up a level.
