Travel Destinations Iowa Ames Top Things to Do in Ames, Iowa Activities center around Iowa State University in this college town about 34 miles north of Des Moines. Things to do include visiting campus museums, Reiman Gardens and Stephens Auditorium. By Midwest Living editors Midwest Living editors Midwest Living's experienced editors create best-in-class travel, lifestyle, food, home and garden content you won't find anywhere else. We're loudly, proudly Midwestern, and we're passionate about helping our audience explore and create through award-winning storytelling. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 25, 2022 Reiman Gardens. Photo: Courtesy of Travel Iowa Do Brunnier Art Museum The university museum's decorative arts collection sparkles with glassware, ceramics and enameled metals. museums.iastate.edu Christian Peterson Art Museum. Courtesy of Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Christian Petersen Art Museum On the Iowa State campus, see contemporary art exhibitions as well as works by Christian Petersen, the nation's first permanent campus artist-in-residence. Petersen sculpted and taught at Iowa State from 1934 to 1955. museums.iastate.edu Farm House Museum. Courtesy of Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Farm House Museum The 1860-era building was home to Iowa State presidents, professors and students before becoming a museum of early Iowa history and culture. museums.iastate.edu Courtesy of the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Furman Aquatic Center Ride down the slides or take a spin on the 550-foot lazy river with a waterfall. cityofames.org Octagon Center for the Arts This downtown location functions as a gallery, offering events and exhibits for the community, as well as classes. octagonarts.org Reiman Gardens. Courtesy of the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau Reiman Gardens Iowa State has had a horticultural garden since 1914, but the location moved around until Reiman Gardens was opened in the 1990s. Butterflies delight visitors in the Christina Reiman Butterfly wing. reimangardens.com Stephens Auditorium This venue hosts plays, touring Broadway shows and concerts. center.iastate.edu Eat and Drink Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company Discover the stuff the freshman 15 is made of with a pizza. greatplainspizza.com Hickory Park Restaurant Company. Hickory Park Restaurant Company Try the barbecue sampler off a menu with more than 100 options. hickoryparkames.com Provisions Lot F. Provisions Lot F Stop by for American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or pick up a treat from the bakery. provisionsames.com Stay Reliable chain lodgings include Holiday Inn Express and Suites Ames, Sleep Inn and Suites Near ISU Campus and Hampton Inn and Suites Ames. For more information visit thinkames.com Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit