Things To Do
Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company
An Ames staple since 1979 and located on Main Street. We recommend pepperoni on Denver crust!
The Mucky Duck Pub
Fish and chips is a crowd favorite and Tonya likes the vegetarian pastie. The owner is a very friendly Brit!
Cafe Beaudelaire
A cool Brazilian hangout in the heart of Campustown. This award-winning small restaurant is right off of Lincoln Way and has the best Cuban sandwiches in town!
El Azteca
Although there are two El Azteca locations in Ames, the one is Somerset is by far superior and has a large dining area. Our favorite dishes are chicken fajitas, chile Colorado, and the burrito and taco combo :).
Hickory Park
An Ames BBQ favorite for decades. Large menu and lots of seating. The servings are large and the prices are fair.
ISU Campus
Take a drive through our cherished Iowa State University campus. The most beautiful campus in the state of Iowa! Fun fact: out of the bride, the groom, the bridesmaids, the groomsman, and the photographer, all but one attended ISU.
Mayhem Collectibles
A long-standing comic book store off of Lincoln Way in Campustown. This was part of Matt and Tonya's separate experiences while attending ISU in the late 1990's (before they even met each other). Mayhem has expanded to include a gaming room and has a vibrant community of gamers and comic collectors.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park
Located in north Ames off of Grand Avenue, Ada Hayden Heritage Park is a jewel amongst this college town. Matt and Tonya frequent here often and enjoy exercising and the numerous sunsets they have watched throughout the years at the lake. This area has become a significant part of their lives going there many times each week, making friends there-on the trail, and finding their cat, Obi, there as a stray. Also, this is one of Tonya's favorite spots for sunset photography. Parking is available in the north parking lot and to the south at the gazebo parking lot. The outside loop is 3.2 miles.
Ledges State Park
Ledges State Park is an easy jaunt from Ames and is located between Ames and Boone. Here Matt and Tonya enjoy hiking, creek walking, spending time at a sand bar, camping, and river watching. Take Highway 30 west out of Ames and exit at Highway 17 and head south. Then head west for a few miles on 250th St.