Ames

Ames is located in Central Iowa roughly 30 miles north of Des Moines, in the Western edge of Story County, astride the Skunk River. The city was named after Massachusetts congressman, shovel tycoon, and transcontinental railroad supporter Oakes Ames. The railroad is still a daily part of life in Ames, with nearly 90 Union Pacific long-haul freight (non-passenger) trains passing through town each day over several at-grade road crossings. Life in Ames follows the ebb and flow of the academic year at Iowa State University. Get in By car Traveling from the north (e.g., Minneapolis, 2.5-hr drive) or from the south (Des Moines, 30 minutes), take I-35 to exit 113 and drive west along 13th St to Clark Ave. Head south on Clark to City Hall and the Main St district. Or take US 30 exit 111 west to South Duff and go north through many businesses to Main St. Traveling from the east (Chicago, 5.5 hours) or from the west (Omaha, 2 hours), take I-80 to I-35, and then I-35 north and as above. US 30 also reaches Ames direct from Omaha and Chicago. By bus Trailways. Has a location on the north side of Lincoln Way, east of Duff Ave and west of Dayton Rd, but this location is not yet integrated into the city bus or bike- and foot-path system, so have car transportation arranged if arriving by long-distance bus. There are a couple cab companies who serve the bus depot. By plane Shuttle service is available from Out of Town transport to/from the Des Moines International Airport. If flying via charter or general aviation, one can use Ames' airport on the southern edge of town, south of Airport Rd, but again, privately-arranged car transport is the best bet from there into town. Get around The city-university partnership Cyride provides bus service to most of the city. Fare is $1, with monthly passes available for $35. Ames has a moderately extensive paved trail system for walking and biking. Lincoln Way is the main east-west thoroughfare of the city, running from just south of downtown west to Campustown and along the southern edge of the central campus of ISU. Similarly, 13th St runs across the northern edges of the downtown area and the university campus. Main north-south roads include Duff Ave and Grand Ave (which together carry U.S. Hwy 69 through Ames) and North and South Dakota Avenues. Apart from ISU itself, there are generally three main pedestrian-friendly concentrations of shops and restaurants: Downtown on Main Street between Clark and Duff Avenues, Campustown south of Lincoln Way along either side of Welch Ave, and the much newer Somerset neighborhood (to the east of Stange Ave north of 24th St). Plus two miles of big box stores and small shops on South Duff spreading beyond US 30 on the south and Lincoln Way on the north. Not quite so pedestrian friendly but with new sidewalks along Duff, not so hazardous to pedestrians as it has been. See Brunnier Museum. Farm House Museum. Christian Peterson sculpture collection - Located around the ISU campus. Hoggatt School. A historical one-room schoolhouse. ISU Campanile Do ISU sporting event Men's football and men's and women's basketball are probably the biggest draws, but also a national power in wrestling and the university fields teams in several other sports in the Big 12 Conference, at the NCAA Division I level. Cultural events at Iowa State Center - Concerts and plays at Scheman and Fisher theaters. Butterfly inside Reiman Gardens butterfly exhibit Reiman Gardens, (shares a parking lot with Jack Trice Stadium). Butterfly garden, along with an indoor and outdoor plant garden. The garden was created to provide staff and students of the university a place to relax and enjoy creation. Learn Iowa State University, [1]. Work The university is the largest employers. Others include the Iowa Department of Transportation, Sauer-Danfoss, Ball Corp., and Barilla. Buy ISU Cyclones' licensed paraphernalia (sweaters and such) are available from several retailers around town, but perhaps most notably at the bookstores on or near campus along Lincoln Way. Other specialty shopping can be had in Campustown, Somerset, or downtown. For big-box chain stores, the major shopping areas are along south Duff Avenue from Lincoln Way south past U.S. Highway 30, and along east of north Grand Avenue near the North Grand Mall, between 24th Street and Bloomington Avenue. Eat The Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company™, 129 Main St, ☎ +1 515 232-4263, [2]. Pizza is hearty, but popular because of the crust. Has honey as a dipping sauce. Hickory Park, 1404 S Duff Ave, ☎ +1 515 232-8940, [3]. American and Iowan fare, featuring pulled pork/beef sandwiches and a dessert menu boasting 50 selections or more. Huge seating area and the wait passes quickly. Very popular with families. Diabetics beware. $10 with dessert. The Spice. Featuring Thai cuisine and elegant ambiance. Pita Pita. Massive pita stuffed with freshly-sauteed lamb, chicken, or falafel. Choice of toppings from an extensive salad bar. Homemade baklava. $5. Stomping Grounds. Popular cafe. Jeff's Pizza, 2402 Lincoln Way, ☎ + 1 515 292-2321, [4]. Su-T 10:30A-1A, W-Th 10:30A-2:30A, F-Sa 10:30A-3:30A. Pizza place offering some unusual toppings, Iowa State student favorite. Eat in or delivery. Black Market Pizza, 2610 Northridge Pkwy (in Somerset, Stange Rd. to Northridge), ☎ +1 515 292-1111, [5]. 11-9. Chicago-style deep dish pizza, as well as other varieties with unique toppings. Eat-in or delivery. Drink Alcohol purchases end at 2AM. Campustown bars and clubs Cy's Roost. For the big game. Element. Dance club. Estas. For when you want to get hammered Mickey's. Frat-bar with dance floor in the basement but not considered a club. Paddy's. Laid back dive with mostly standing room only (on the weekends) and loud music for dancing. Two-Fer-Tuesdays and dollar burgers on Wednesdays. People's. Sips. Dance club. Welch Avenue Station (WAS). One of the longest-standing bars in town. The atmosphere is more traditional than the more "hip" and "modern" bars around town. Has regular bar food as well as pizza from the Pizza Pit upstairs. Bars Whiskey River, Main St. Dive bar. A bit away from campus and lots of fun. Sleep Hotel at Gateway Center, off Elwood Dr, south of US Hwy 30. Memorial Union, Union Dr, ISU campus. Other lodging is located near the northwest portion of the I-35 and US Hwy 30 interchange (exit 111) and near exit 113 along 13th St near I-35. Get out Story City. About a 15 minute drive north on I-35 or US Hwy 69 to see their antique carousel. See the corn maze in the summer between Ames and Nevada on US Hwy 30. Routes through Ames Minneapolis-Saint Paul ← Mason City (via US-18) ←  N  S  → Ankeny → Des Moines This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!