Bennett's Guidebook
Sightseeing
My wife and I met and graduated from Iowa State, so it holds a special place in our hearts.
Campus is beautiful to walk around every season. Central Campus is 490 acres of beauty that shares awards with with Yale and Virginia from the American Society of Landscape Architects.
I was a tour guide for Admissions all four years on campus, so if you want fun facts/useless info, hit me up!
20 lokalkjente anbefaler
Iowa State University
2433 Union DrMy wife and I met and graduated from Iowa State, so it holds a special place in our hearts.
Campus is beautiful to walk around every season. Central Campus is 490 acres of beauty that shares awards with with Yale and Virginia from the American Society of Landscape Architects.
I was a tour guide for Admissions all four years on campus, so if you want fun facts/useless info, hit me up!
Home of Cyclone Athletics indoor sports, “Hilton Magic” and Clone Cones!
If school and sports are in session and you can snag tickets, Hilton is one of the best venues to watch a game, especially Men’s and Women’s basketball.
9 lokalkjente anbefaler
Hilton Coliseum
1705 Center DrHome of Cyclone Athletics indoor sports, “Hilton Magic” and Clone Cones!
If school and sports are in session and you can snag tickets, Hilton is one of the best venues to watch a game, especially Men’s and Women’s basketball.
Fun fact: The Jack is the only stadium in college football to be named after an African American athlete.
Cyclone Football game days are something to experience! One of the best tailgating setups and environments to experience. Even if football isn’t in season it is typically open to pop in and walk around.
If going to a game, we recommend to park on campus for free and then take a short walk to Jack Trice or utilize our public bus system, CyRide.
9 lokalkjente anbefaler
Jack Trice Stadium
1732 S 4th StFun fact: The Jack is the only stadium in college football to be named after an African American athlete.
Cyclone Football game days are something to experience! One of the best tailgating setups and environments to experience. Even if football isn’t in season it is typically open to pop in and walk around.
If going to a game, we recommend to park on campus for free and then take a short walk to Jack Trice or utilize our public bus system, CyRide.
Stephens is a really neat performance venue hidden in Iowa. Lots of national acts come each season.
Worth checking the event calendar if you are going to be free while in town!
6 lokalkjente anbefaler
Stephens Auditorium
1900 Center DrStephens is a really neat performance venue hidden in Iowa. Lots of national acts come each season.
Worth checking the event calendar if you are going to be free while in town!
Nature
Rotating exhibits, indoor butterfly pavilion and lots of beautiful gardens to get lost in.
38 lokalkjente anbefaler
Reiman Gardens
1407 University BlvdRotating exhibits, indoor butterfly pavilion and lots of beautiful gardens to get lost in.
We love taking walks as a couple, or trio with Wrigley around Ada Hayden. We also loved bringing food to have a picnic, or utilize the bench swings by the lake.
The lake is surrounded by a Figure 8 trail great for walking, running, biking or rollerblading. The North Loop is a 1.4 miles and the South Loop is 1.8 miles. Swimming is not allowed, but
26 lokalkjente anbefaler
Ada Hayden Heritage Park
5205 Grand AveWe love taking walks as a couple, or trio with Wrigley around Ada Hayden. We also loved bringing food to have a picnic, or utilize the bench swings by the lake.
The lake is surrounded by a Figure 8 trail great for walking, running, biking or rollerblading. The North Loop is a 1.4 miles and the South Loop is 1.8 miles. Swimming is not allowed, but
Food scene
Cafe B is small in size but mighty in what they offer!
Brazilian inspired food and drink menu with plenty of local favorites and classics mixed in.
Food: We highly recommend the Gyro, Beirut or any of their burgers. (Their Cafe B burger won best burger in Iowa in 2018!)
Drinks: Iguana Wanna, Long Islands ($1 on your birthday!) and the Kansas City Ice Water will knock your socks off!
7 lokalkjente anbefaler
Cafe Beaudelaire
2504 Lincoln WayCafe B is small in size but mighty in what they offer!
Brazilian inspired food and drink menu with plenty of local favorites and classics mixed in.
Food: We highly recommend the Gyro, Beirut or any of their burgers. (Their Cafe B burger won best burger in Iowa in 2018!)
Drinks: Iguana Wanna, Long Islands ($1 on your birthday!) and the Kansas City Ice Water will knock your socks off!
We like to think this is Ames’ hidden gem, but the over 500 Google Reviews remind us it might not be as “hidden” as we think. :)
The grill is located in the back of the international grocery offerings - it’s nothing fancy to look at, but the food is fantastic. We love the gyro and fries combo (we have gone for 3 years and the fries are always the same: perfection)
The owner Ahmad, is typically taking orders or running the register. He has never met a stranger.
Pammel Grocery & Grill
113 Colorado AveWe like to think this is Ames’ hidden gem, but the over 500 Google Reviews remind us it might not be as “hidden” as we think. :)
The grill is located in the back of the international grocery offerings - it’s nothing fancy to look at, but the food is fantastic. We love the gyro and fries combo (we have gone for 3 years and the fries are always the same: perfection)
The owner Ahmad, is typically taking orders or running the register. He has never met a stranger.
As farm to table as possible. Over half of the menu rotates for what is best in season. Perfect for dates, groups, or foodies!
Some the best dessert you’ll find in Ames.
33 lokalkjente anbefaler
The Cafe
2616 Northridge PkwyAs farm to table as possible. Over half of the menu rotates for what is best in season. Perfect for dates, groups, or foodies!
Some the best dessert you’ll find in Ames.
Provisions is the south-side sister location of The Cafe!
Same ownership group with a few similar menu items as up in North Ames at The Cafe. Same rules apply: perfect for dates, group gatherings or people on the hunt for a great meal.
16 lokalkjente anbefaler
Provisions Lot F
2400 N Loop DrProvisions is the south-side sister location of The Cafe!
Same ownership group with a few similar menu items as up in North Ames at The Cafe. Same rules apply: perfect for dates, group gatherings or people on the hunt for a great meal.
No, your GPS is not leading you incorrectly... One of Ames’ best coffee spots is inside a gas station.
Burgie’s uses their own coffee (Windmill Roasters) that is sourced from farms that the owners have built personal relationships with for years. The manager, Jordan, has been a friend of ours for years.
Their rotating drip selection is great, as well as their cold brew and Jamocha shakes. There is a drive thru for those hitting the road to your next destination as well!
6 lokalkjente anbefaler
Burgie's Coffee & Tea Co.
110 Airport RdNo, your GPS is not leading you incorrectly... One of Ames’ best coffee spots is inside a gas station.
Burgie’s uses their own coffee (Windmill Roasters) that is sourced from farms that the owners have built personal relationships with for years. The manager, Jordan, has been a friend of ours for years.
Their rotating drip selection is great, as well as their cold brew and Jamocha shakes. There is a drive thru for those hitting the road to your next destination as well!
An Ames staple.
Midwest barbecue: nothing fancy but consistently solid. Save room for the ice cream/dessert menu!
25 lokalkjente anbefaler
Hickory Park
1404 S Duff AveAn Ames staple.
Midwest barbecue: nothing fancy but consistently solid. Save room for the ice cream/dessert menu!
Des Moines originated franchise. Famous for their appearance on Man v. Food for the Adam Emmenecker Sandwich.
Jethro’s Ames location is now the largest sports bar in the Big 12 Athletics Conference.
Similar to Hickory Park across the street... Nothing fancy, but solid.
Jethro's BBQ Steak n' Chop
1301 Buckeye AveDes Moines originated franchise. Famous for their appearance on Man v. Food for the Adam Emmenecker Sandwich.
Jethro’s Ames location is now the largest sports bar in the Big 12 Athletics Conference.
Similar to Hickory Park across the street... Nothing fancy, but solid.
We’ve known the owner, Fannie since she started her first business in Ames. Now with 1+1 she’s getting to do all the things she wanted to at the first store.
The Classic Milk tea with boba is always a favorite. And the food menu has a range of great authentic dishes!
1+1 restaurant & tea
2814 West StWe’ve known the owner, Fannie since she started her first business in Ames. Now with 1+1 she’s getting to do all the things she wanted to at the first store.
The Classic Milk tea with boba is always a favorite. And the food menu has a range of great authentic dishes!