Guidebook for Ames
Food Scene
The Cafe
2616 Northridge PkwyCafe Diem
229 Main StThai Kitchen
2410 Chamberlain StMy favorite thing to get here is a fresh large smoothie for $3 (so many great flavors) with a warm flatbread for around $5 (Chicken Cali Club is amazing!) with a side included.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
517 Lincoln WayMy favorite thing to get here is a fresh large smoothie for $3 (so many great flavors) with a warm flatbread for around $5 (Chicken Cali Club is amazing!) with a side included.
They have a really great lunch hibachi deal Monday - Saturday. Only $8.00 until 2 pm.
Fuji Japanese Steak House
1614 S Kellogg AveThey have a really great lunch hibachi deal Monday - Saturday. Only $8.00 until 2 pm.
TJ Cups
107 Welch AveThe only bubble tea worth having in Ames hands down.
This is a Brazilian restaurant that was recently voted as having the best burger in Iowa (2018)!! It's seriously good. Try it with Brazilian fries. There is also a bar here and outdoor seating.
7 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Cafe Beaudelaire
2504 Lincoln WayThis is a Brazilian restaurant that was recently voted as having the best burger in Iowa (2018)!! It's seriously good. Try it with Brazilian fries. There is also a bar here and outdoor seating.
Cheapest/most delicious food around when it comes to lunchtime. Dinner is also very reasonably priced. it's delicious and who can say "no" to free chips and salsa.
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
El Azteca
2727 Stange RdCheapest/most delicious food around when it comes to lunchtime. Dinner is also very reasonably priced. it's delicious and who can say "no" to free chips and salsa.
Delicious staple in Ames. American with a little bit of middle eastern flavor. I love the homemade pita bread here. The fish is apparently really good here too.
Flame and Skewer
2801 Grand AveDelicious staple in Ames. American with a little bit of middle eastern flavor. I love the homemade pita bread here. The fish is apparently really good here too.
Great for gelato and chocolate! They sell some local wines by the bottle and coffee, hot chocolate, etc too. They sometimes have live piano here too.
16 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Chocolaterie Stam
2814 Ingersoll AveGreat for gelato and chocolate! They sell some local wines by the bottle and coffee, hot chocolate, etc too. They sometimes have live piano here too.
Blaze Pizza
2320 Lincoln WayBuild-your-own pizza place across from ISU's Lake Laverne. Pretty cheap eat at $8/pizza.
Great date night place featuring really great italian and a large selection of gelato. It's a bit on the pricey side but so worth it.
+39 Restaurant, Market Cantina
2640 Stange RdGreat date night place featuring really great italian and a large selection of gelato. It's a bit on the pricey side but so worth it.
You've got to get here early since they're only open until noon on the weekends and until 2 pm on weekdays. Also BRING CASH!!! or use the atm across the street because they don't accept cards. Try it for the biggest and fluffiest home-style pancakes you've ever seen. Sharing is recommended. P.S. They probably haven't updated the seating since the 1980's but don't let that discourage you because the food is great!
8 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
The Grove Cafe
124 Main StYou've got to get here early since they're only open until noon on the weekends and until 2 pm on weekdays. Also BRING CASH!!! or use the atm across the street because they don't accept cards. Try it for the biggest and fluffiest home-style pancakes you've ever seen. Sharing is recommended. P.S. They probably haven't updated the seating since the 1980's but don't let that discourage you because the food is great!
This is one of the restaurants that everyone has to visit when they're going through Ames. Lots of food. Huge portions for great prices. It's very popular for families.
25 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Hickory Park
1404 S Duff AveThis is one of the restaurants that everyone has to visit when they're going through Ames. Lots of food. Huge portions for great prices. It's very popular for families.
Parks & Nature
Great for picnics (there are shelters), volleyball, soccer, tennis, etc.
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Brookside Park
1325 6th StGreat for picnics (there are shelters), volleyball, soccer, tennis, etc.
A walking path around a big beautiful lake. Great for picnics, fishing, biking, walking, kayaking, canoeing, row-boating, and jogging. Rent water equipment from ISU if you're a student.
26 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Ada Hayden Heritage Park
5205 Grand AveA walking path around a big beautiful lake. Great for picnics, fishing, biking, walking, kayaking, canoeing, row-boating, and jogging. Rent water equipment from ISU if you're a student.
Absolutely gorgeous in the fall! Lots of walking trails through trees and some water to splash around in.
31 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Ledges State Park
1515 P AveAbsolutely gorgeous in the fall! Lots of walking trails through trees and some water to splash around in.
Arts & Culture
Lots of great shops here to visit from food, dessert, secondhand clothing, tea, history, art, etc. Also some great art pieces to see while walking down the street.
8 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Main Street
Main StreetLots of great shops here to visit from food, dessert, secondhand clothing, tea, history, art, etc. Also some great art pieces to see while walking down the street.
Essentials
Walmart Supercenter
3105 Grand AveShopping
North Grand Mall station
Sightseeing
Beautiful Garden with a butterfly room. Free for ISU students. Under $10/person for everyone else.
38 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Reiman Gardens
1407 University BlvdBeautiful Garden with a butterfly room. Free for ISU students. Under $10/person for everyone else.
Entertainment & Activities
Bowling, arcade games, mini golf, laser tag, beer, and late night bites. There's something for everyone here. Special deals every day.
9 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Perfect Games
1320 Dickinson AveBowling, arcade games, mini golf, laser tag, beer, and late night bites. There's something for everyone here. Special deals every day.
Smaller theatre that's easier to reserve at as it does not get too busy. Comfy reclining chairs. Movies are around $5/ticket on Tuesdays.
North Grand Cinema - Ames Independent Luxury Theatre
2801 Grand AveSmaller theatre that's easier to reserve at as it does not get too busy. Comfy reclining chairs. Movies are around $5/ticket on Tuesdays.
Comfy reclining chairs. Good seating. Choose row D or behind if you don't want to be too close to the screen. Only $5.25/ticket on Tuesdays.
Cinemark Movies 12
1317 Buckeye AveComfy reclining chairs. Good seating. Choose row D or behind if you don't want to be too close to the screen. Only $5.25/ticket on Tuesdays.