Ames

Ames is a lovely, small city in the center of Iowa. It has a population of over 50,000 and is located 30 miles north of the state capitol, Des Moines, which has a population of 400,000 in the city & suburbs.

Being a university city, Ames is able to offer many cultural events, concerts, and some exciting moments in sports. The University brings many wonderful concerts, plays, exhibition games, and other performances to the Iowa State Center . The Iowa State University Theatre also offers plays and musicals, and there are many concerts offered by the Department of Music. If you enjoy dance, Ames has two local dance troupes, CoMotion and the Central Iowa Barn Dance Association.

For sports fans, ISU and Des Moines offer something for everyone. The ISU Cyclones have some outstanding teams, including the Women's Basketball team, the Men's Basketball team, Volleyball, Wrestling, and Track and Field, to name a few. (We also have much affection for our football team, which, had a winning season in 2004). If you like baseball, Des Moines is home to the Iowa Cubs. There are also many community teams for athletes of all ages.

For the shopper, you can experience many different stores located in Ames and Des Moines. North Grand Mall, located in Ames, offers JC Penney, Sears, and Younkers along with many other gift stores. Or you can visit Des Moines where you can experience shopping in the Merle Hay Mall, Valley West Mall and the newly built Jordan Creek Towncenter. While in Des Moines, you can also visit the Historic Valley Junction where you can journey back to an experience where you'll discover something new every time.

The city of Ames takes great pride in its more than 700 acres of parks which have great places to picnic, swim, bike, hike, and play. There are also some lovely larger parks in the area such as McFarland Park, Sailorville Lake, and Ledges State Park.

The city of Des Moines provides many things to do for individuals and families including the Blank Park Zoo, the Science Center of Iowa, Adventureland Park, or go back in time at the Living History Farms. There are concerts, plays and musicals at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines and annual events such as the Iowa State Fair and the National Hot Air Balloon Classic. The Des Moines International Airport is our hub for easy access to travel.

In addition to the university, Ames is also home to the National Animal Disease Laboratory, Barilla, Mary Greeley Medical Center, the Iowa Department of Transportation, Sauer-Danfoss, and 3M Company.

For more information about Ames:
Ames Convention and Visitors' Bureau
Welcome to Ames
City of Ames Homepage
Cyride (Ames' public transportation system)
Information about Housing is available through the City of Ames Homepage

For more information about Des Moines:
Des Moines Convention and Visitors' Bureau

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