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Ames is located in the center of Iowa about 30 miles north of Des Moines. It is the major city of the Ames Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Story County. As of the 2000 census, the population of Ames was 50,731 residents. Ames is home to Iowa State University and is also the site of the Ames Straw Poll, an important straw poll in the Republican party presidential nomination process, and also the first in the nation Democratic and Republican caucuses. Ames offers 33 woodland parks, five golf courses and over 55 miles of bike and walking trails. The area is also home to several award-winning wineries and vineyards. The city of Ames was recently Recognized by Expansion Management magazine as a Five-Star Quality of Life Metro, and it continually ranks top in the nation for a highly-educated work force, excellent public schools, and one of the best places to live, work and play in the United States. Ames is home to a local Farmers Market, May through October, that offers fresh, home-grown produce and quality handmade crafts. The Brunnier Art Museum in Ames is the states only accredited museum that emphasizes a decorative arts collection within a performing arts complex. Tours, lectures and receptions are available at the museum. The Farm House Museum is a National Historic Landmark in Ames that is a fully restored home from the period between 1860-1910. Other attractions in the Ames region include Blacks Heritage Museum, the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, the Iowa Arboretum and the Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden.

Surrounding areas: Boone, Iowa (13.2 mi), Urbandale, Iowa (27.3 mi), Des Moines, Iowa (30.9 mi), West Des Moines, Iowa (31.9 mi), Iowa Falls, Iowa (39.1 mi)

Ames Vacation Rentals




Ames Hotels and Resorts

 
Hotels & Motels
Americinn & Suites Of Ames2507 SE 16th StAmes, IA (515) 233-1005
Baymont Inn & Suites-ames2500 Elwood DrAmes, IA (515) 296-2500
Comfort Inn1605 S Dayton AveAmes, IA (515) 232-0689
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson2605 SE 16th StAmes, IA (515) 233-3935
Fairfield Inn & Suites2137 Isaac Newton DrAmes, IA (515) 232-4000
Grand Stay Residential Suites1606 S KelloggAmes, IA (515) 232-8363
Hampton Inn Ames1400 S Dayton AveAmes, IA (515) 239-9999
Heartland Inn2600 SE 16th StAmes, IA (515) 233-6060
Holiday Inn Ames Conference Center-Isu2609 Elwood DrAmes, IA (515) 268-8808
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ames2600 E 13th StAmes, IA (515) 232-2300
Iowa State Memorial UnionIowa State UniversityAmes, IA (515) 294-2300
Microtel Inn & Suites2216 Se 16TH StAmes, IA (515) 233-4444
New Frontier MotelW Lincoln WayAmes, IA (515) 532-2344
Quality Inn & Suites Starlite Conference Center2601 E13th StAmes, IA (515) 232-9260
Super 8 Motel1418 S Dayton AveAmes, IA (515) 232-6510
The Hotel At Gateway Center2100 Grn Hills DrAmes, IA (515) 292-8600
University Inn316 S DuffAmes, IA (515) 232-0280
Super 8 Motel-Nevada/Ames Ia1521 S 'G' AveNevada, IA9.5 mi.(515) 382-5588
Comfort Inn425 Timberland DrStory City, IA11.8 mi.(515) 733-6363
Amerihost Inn & Suites Boone1745 SE Marshall StBoone, IA13.0 mi.(515) 432-8168
Super 8 Motel-boone1715 S Story StBoone, IA13.1 mi.(515) 432-8890
Best Western Starlite Village Of Ankeny133 Se DelawareAnkeny, IA20.2 mi.(515) 964-1217
Days Inn103 N DelawareAnkeny, IA20.2 mi.(515) 965-1995
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites2402 SE Tones DrAnkeny, IA20.2 mi.(515) 965-2400
Heartland Inn201 SE Delaware AveAnkeny, IA20.3 mi.(515) 964-8202
Super 8 Motel-ankeny206 Se Delaware AveAnkeny, IA20.3 mi.(515) 964-4503
Ankeny Lodge & Suites1610 Se Oralabor RdAnkeny, IA22.1 mi.(800) 634-3444
Comfort Inn2602 SE Creekview DrAnkeny, IA22.2 mi.(515) 963-1100
Americinn Lodge & Suites251 Gateway CirGrimes, IA24.4 mi.(515) 986-9900
Red Carpet Motel2298 141ST DrBouton, IA24.6 mi.(515) 676-2063
Best Western Inn5220 Ne 14TH StDes Moines, IA25.4 mi.(515) 265-5611
Rodeway Inn5020 NE 14th StDes Moines, IA25.6 mi.(515) 265-7511
Best Inns Of America5050 Merle Hay RdJohnston, IA25.7 mi.(515) 270-1111
Ramada Inn Des Moines North5055 Merle Hay RdJohnston, IA25.7 mi.(800) 643-1197
Holiday Inn Des Moines/Northwest5000 Merle Hay RdDes Moines, IA25.9 mi.(515) 278-0271
Quality Inn & Suites4995 NW Merle Hay RdDes Moines, IA25.9 mi.(515) 278-2381
Stoney Creek Inn Of Des Moines5291 NW Stoney Creek CtJohnston, IA25.9 mi.(515) 334-9000
Holiday Inn2701 Adventureland DrAltoona, IA26.0 mi.(515) 967-4886
Motel 63225 Adventureland DrAltoona, IA26.0 mi.(515) 967-5252
Suite Options8191 Birchwood Ct Ste AJohnston, IA26.0 mi.(515) 252-8950

Ames Weather & Climate

Central Iowa has four distinct seasons with hot summers, cold winters, cool springs and mild autums. During the six warmer months of the year, the prevailing moist southerly flow from the Gulf of Mexico produces summer rainfall and thunderstorms. These sometimes severe thunderstorms may produce high winds, hail, torrential rains and occasionally a tornado. Hailstorms are more severe in the northwest portion of the state. Seasonal snowfall across the state is 32 inches and the snow season generally runs late October through mid-April. The most snowfall occurs in January, February and March and blizzards are a possibility. Autumn is often the most pleasant time of the year in central Iowa, with mild days and cool nights.

     Month       High Temp   Low Temp   Rainfall   Ocean Temp 
January 27°F 9°F 0.89 in. -
February 33°F 16°F 0.94 in. -
March 46°F 27°F 2.33 in. -
April 61°F 38°F 3.10 in. -
May 72°F 49°F 4.19 in. -
June 81°F 59°F 4.76 in. -
July 84°F 63°F 4.43 in. -
August 82°F 60°F 4.55 in. -
September 76°F 52°F 3.00 in. -
October 63°F 40°F 2.37 in. -
November 45°F 27°F 2.29 in. -
December 31°F 14°F 1.10 in. -

Ames Map & Transportation

Main viewing image.
 
Click each thumbnail image to enlarge.
The closest airports in the area are the Ames Municipal airport (AMW) located about 2 miles south of Ames, the Ankeny Regional airport (IKV) located approximately 23 miles south of Ames in Ankeny, Iowa, the Des Moines International airport (DSM) located roughly 33 miles south of Ames in Des Moines, Iowa, the Newton Municipal airport (TNU) located around 39 miles southeast of Ames in Newton, Iowa, the Fort Dodge Regional airport (FOD) located about 46 miles northwest of Ames in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the Arthur N Neu airport (CIN) located approximately 59 miles west of Ames in Carroll, Iowa, and finally the Waterloo Municipal airport (ALO) located roughly 72 miles northeast of Ames in Waterloo, Iowa.

Ames Attractions

 
Amusement and Theme Parks
AdventurelandAltoonaIA27.4 mi.
 
Water Parks
White Water University Fun ParkDes MoinesIA29.2 mi.
Denison Aquatic Fun CenterDenisonIA88.8 mi.
The Beach OttumwaOttumwaIA95.6 mi.
Boji Bay Water ParkMilfordIA118.7 mi.
 
Golf Courses
Homewood Golf CourseAmesIA 
Oaks Golf CourseAmesIA 
Veenker Memorial Golf CourseAmesIA 
Prairie View Golf CourseNevadaIA9.0 mi.
River Bend Municipal Golf CourseStory CityIA11.1 mi.
Twin Anchors Golf ClubColoIA16.2 mi.
Tournament Club of IowaPolk CityIA18.0 mi.
Jewell Golf & Country ClubJewellIA19.2 mi.
Woodward Golf & RecreationWoodwardIA19.3 mi.
Boone County Golf Course Recreation AreaOgdenIA20.2 mi.
Jester Park Golf ClubGrangerIA20.7 mi.
Briarwood Golf CourseAnkenyIA20.9 mi.
Otter Creek Golf CourseAnkenyIA20.9 mi.
Radcliffe Friendly FairwaysRadcliffeIA22.3 mi.
Lincoln Valley GolfState CenterIA23.9 mi.
Harvester Golf ClubRhodesIA24.0 mi.
Beaver Creek Golf CourseGrimesIA25.1 mi.
Hubbard Recreation ClubHubbardIA25.4 mi.
Perry Golf & Country ClubPerryIA27.8 mi.
Terrace Hills Golf CourseAltoonaIA27.8 mi.
A H Blank Golf CourseDes MoinesIA29.2 mi.
Grand View Golf CourseDes MoinesIA29.2 mi.
Sleepy Hollow Sports ParkDes MoinesIA29.2 mi.
Waveland Municipal Golf CourseDes MoinesIA29.2 mi.
Woodland Hills Golf CourseDes MoinesIA29.2 mi.
 
State Parks
Ledges State ParkIA13.4 mi. 
Big Creek State ParkIA16.0 mi. 
Barkley Memorial State ParkIA17.6 mi. 
Margo Frankel Woods State ParkIA24.4 mi. 
Brushy Creek State ParkIA31.5 mi. 
Walnut Woods State ParkIA33.8 mi. 
Dolliver Memorial State ParkIA33.9 mi. 
Woodmans Hollow State ParkIA36.7 mi. 
Pine Lake State ParkIA37.2 mi. 
Steamboat Rock Wayside State ParkIA38.6 mi. 
 
Museums
Iowa State University MuseumsAmesIA(Multidisciplinary)
Slayton Farms Round BarnIowa FallsIA39.5 mi.(History)
Guthrie County Historical VillagePanoraIA44.3 mi.(History)
Pella Historical VillagePellaIA56.0 mi.(History)
 
Zoos and Aquariums
Blank Park ZooDes MoinesIA29.2 mi.


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