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.
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Ames Vacation Rentals
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Ames Weather & Climate
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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.
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| 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. |
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Ames Map & Transportation
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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 southeast of Ames in Waterloo, Iowa.
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Ames Attractions
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| | | Amusement and Theme Parks |
| Adventureland | Altoona | IA | 27.4 mi. | |
| | | Water Parks |
| White Water University Fun Park | Des Moines | IA | 29.2 mi. | | | Denison Aquatic Fun Center | Denison | IA | 88.9 mi. | | | The Beach Ottumwa | Ottumwa | IA | 95.7 mi. | | | Boji Bay Water Park | Milford | IA | 118.8 mi. | |
| | | Golf Courses |
| Homewood Golf Course | Ames | IA | | | | Oaks Golf Course | Ames | IA | | | | Veenker Memorial Golf Course | Ames | IA | | | | Prairie View Golf Course | Nevada | IA | 9.0 mi. | | | River Bend Municipal Golf Course | Story City | IA | 11.1 mi. | | | Twin Anchors Golf Club | Colo | IA | 16.3 mi. | | | Tournament Club of Iowa | Polk City | IA | 18.0 mi. | | | Jewell Golf & Country Club | Jewell | IA | 19.2 mi. | | | Woodward Golf & Recreation | Woodward | IA | 19.3 mi. | | | Boone County Golf Course Recreation Area | Ogden | IA | 20.3 mi. | | | Jester Park Golf Club | Granger | IA | 20.7 mi. | | | Briarwood Golf Course | Ankeny | IA | 21.0 mi. | | | Otter Creek Golf Course | Ankeny | IA | 21.0 mi. | | | Radcliffe Friendly Fairways | Radcliffe | IA | 22.3 mi. | | | Harvester Golf Club | Rhodes | IA | 24.0 mi. | | | Lincoln Valley Golf | State Center | IA | 24.0 mi. | | | Beaver Creek Golf Course | Grimes | IA | 25.1 mi. | | | Hubbard Recreation Club | Hubbard | IA | 25.5 mi. | | | Perry Golf & Country Club | Perry | IA | 27.8 mi. | | | Terrace Hills Golf Course | Altoona | IA | 27.8 mi. | | | A H Blank Golf Course | Des Moines | IA | 29.2 mi. | | | Grand View Golf Course | Des Moines | IA | 29.2 mi. | | | Sleepy Hollow Sports Park | Des Moines | IA | 29.2 mi. | | | Waveland Municipal Golf Course | Des Moines | IA | 29.2 mi. | | | Woodland Hills Golf Course | Des Moines | IA | 29.2 mi. | |
| | | State Parks |
| Ledges State Park | | IA | 13.4 mi. | | | Big Creek State Park | | IA | 16.0 mi. | | | Barkley Memorial State Park | | IA | 17.6 mi. | | | Margo Frankel Woods State Park | | IA | 24.4 mi. | | | Brushy Creek State Park | | IA | 31.5 mi. | | | Walnut Woods State Park | | IA | 33.9 mi. | | | Dolliver Memorial State Park | | IA | 34.0 mi. | | | Woodmans Hollow State Park | | IA | 36.7 mi. | | | Pine Lake State Park | | IA | 37.3 mi. | | | Steamboat Rock Wayside State Park | | IA | 38.6 mi. | |
| | | Museums |
| Iowa State University Museums | Ames | IA | | (Multidisciplinary) | | | Slayton Farms Round Barn | Iowa Falls | IA | 39.6 mi. | (History) | | Guthrie County Historical Village | Panora | IA | 44.3 mi. | (History) | | Pella Historical Village | Pella | IA | 56.1 mi. | (History) |
| | | Zoos and Aquariums |
| Blank Park Zoo | Des Moines | IA | 29.2 mi. | |
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