Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Ames (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Iowa State Center, Reiman Gardens, and Bell Tower. Also, be sure to include Food Sciences Building in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Ames (Iowa).
Table of Contents
Iowa State Center
Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Center is located just southeast of Iowa State University's central campus in Ames, Iowa. It is a complex of cultural and athletic venues. The Center consists of the following: Hilton Coliseum, Stephens Auditorium, Fisher Theater, Scheman Building, and Jack Trice Stadium.[1]
Address: Corner of Lincoln Way and Beach Ave, 50011-0001 Ames (Iowa State University)
Reiman Gardens
Botanical garden in Ames, Iowa. Reiman Gardens is a 17-acre university-owned public garden located immediately south of Jack Trice Stadium on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa. Reiman Gardens is a year-round garden with events, programs, lectures, tours and ISU student classes that has consistently been one of the top visited attractions in Central Iowa. It is open seven days per week; 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, with extended hours in the summer season and extended evening hours for its events. The Gardens are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Reiman Gardens consists of a dozen distinct garden areas, an indoor conservatory and an indoor butterfly "wing", butterfly emergence cases, a gift shop, and several supporting greenhouses. ISU students and their classes are admitted free of charge, as are the Gardens' members. An admission fee is charged to the public. Many United Way of Story County agencies directors can receive free passes to distribute to their clients.[2]
Address: 1407 University Blvd, 50011-3101 Ames (Iowa State University)
Bell Tower
The Iowa State University Campanile is located on Iowa State's central campus, and is home to the Stanton Memorial Carillon. The campanile is widely seen as one of the major symbols of Iowa State University. It is featured prominently on the university's official ring and the university's mace, and is also the subject of the university's alma mater.[3]
Address: Iowa State Univ, 50011 Ames (Iowa State University)
Food Sciences Building
The Food Sciences Building, formerly known as Dairy Industry Building, is a historic building on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, United States. The two-story, Bedford stone structure was designed by the Des Moines architectural firm of Proudfoot, Rawson & Souers. J. and W. A. Elliott Construction completed it in 1928. Additions to the original building were completed in 1962, 1991, and 1993. It was listed, along with its courtyard sculptures, on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.[4]
Iowa State University
The Iowa State University campus contains over 160 buildings, several of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Iowa State University's campus, specifically its Central Campus, has been recognized as one of the nation's most beautiful and was listed as a "medallion site" by the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1999.[5]
Ames City Hall
Building in Ames, Iowa. The Ames City Hall is the official seat of government for the city of Ames, Iowa, United States. The building was originally built for Ames High School. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.[6]
Municipal Building
Historical landmark in Ames, Iowa. The Municipal Building, also known as Youth & Shelter Services, is a historic building located in Ames, Iowa, United States. It is significant for its association with the Progressive Movement reforms implemented by the city in the early 20th century. Previous to the construction of this facility in 1916 the city council, mayor, municipal offices, fire department and the police department, including the city jail and police court, were all housed in separate buildings. They were combined here in an effort to increase efficiency, professionalism, and the scope of city services. Per the Progressive Movement, all of these functions were housed in different zones in the building. The fire department was located on the backside of the building, and the archways where the fire engines doors were located are still visible.
The two-story, brick, Neoclassical style building was designed by the Des Moines architectural firm of Liebbe, Nourse & Rasmussen. It was built by J. E. Tusant of Des Moines for $37,310. It remained the seat of local government until 1990 when it moved into the present city hall. The building sat empty for several years before it was purchased by Youth & Shelter Services, a local human services agency, for their offices. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. It was included as a contributing property in the Ames Main Street Historic District in 2018.[7]
Address: 416 Douglas Ave, Ames
Delta Upsilon Chapter House
The Delta Upsilon Chapter House is a historic building located in Ames, Iowa, United States. It is considered one of the more imposing architectural examples among fraternity chapter houses at Iowa State University. It was designed by Des Moines architect Alexander M. Linn, who joined Delta Upsilon at what was then called Iowa State College. The fraternity's chapter house was on Hyland Avenue at that time. Linn, howevever, did not graduate from Iowa State as he transferred to the University of Illinois where he graduated with a degree in architectural engineering in 1923. Completed in 1930, the 2½-story, French Renaissance-style building features brick and half-timbering wall surfaces, and a complex roof system that includes steep pitches and polychrome slate. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.[8]
Fisher Theater
Concerts and shows, Theater
Address: Iowa State Univ, 50011 Ames (Iowa State University)
The Farm House
Building. The Farm House, also known as the Knapp–Wilson House, is the oldest building on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Now a museum open to the general public, this house was built 1861-65 as part of the model farm that eventually became Iowa State. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 for its association with agriculturist and teacher Seaman A. Knapp and with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, both of whom lived here while teaching at Iowa State.[9]
Iowa Beta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
Iowa Beta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon is a historic building in Ames, Iowa, United States. It is a large four-story brick structure that was built in 1931 for the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Iowa State College. It was designed by Des Moines architect Amos B. Emery. It is the only Tudor Revival style building designed by Emory, and only one of two fraternity houses that he designed. The building features ornamental half-timbering and stucco veneered walls, a steeply pitched roof with two separate cross-gabled sections, and a two-story wing that is oriented diagonally from the main body of the house. Three of the four-floors are above grade and one is exposed on the back side via the sloping lot.
The Iowa Beta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was chartered on April 20, 1916. It was the fraternity's fortieth local chapter. During World War II part of the building was rented to female students as many male students left to join the military. A fire damaged the third floor in 1943. In 1952, the kitchen and the house mother's quarters were expanded. Journalist Robert L. Bartley resided here until his graduation from Iowa State in 1959. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.[10]
Address: 228 Gray Ave, Ames (Iowa State University)