#1 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Octagon Center For the Arts
427 Douglas Ave Ames IA - 515-232-5331
~0.76 miles from Ames city center
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#2 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Story Center Historical Museum
417 Douglas Ave Ames IA - 515-232-2148
~0.77 miles from Ames city center
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#3 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Brunnier Art Museum
Scheman Bldg # 290 Ames IA - 515-294-3342
~1.29 miles from Ames city center
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#4 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Farm House Museum
290 Scheman Bldg Ames IA - 515-294-7426
~1.29 miles from Ames city center
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In the center of the campus grounds of Iowa State University sits a three story, grey-stuccoed house with an inviting red brick walk leading to its front door. Students walking by on their way to class often see signs in the yard announcing free "Hot Cider" or "Lemonade" just for coming inside. Where on campus can you view former college President Beardshear's chair or walk through the very rooms where founders of Iowa State lived and made decisions that affect life on campus today? It is here at the Farm House Museum.
This fourteen-room structure was the first building on the Iowa State campus. It was begun in 1860 when the college campus was prairie grass, before there was a college building and before students walked the college paths or worked the college farm. Volunteers from the neighboring communities began construction on the house for the college farm just two years after the state legislature passed a measure in 1858 providing for the establishment of a State Agricultural College and Model Farm. It was the first building in the nation's first state to accept the Morrill Act. It is where the very first Board of Trustees met and planned the first college building, laid plans for the first curriculum and selected the first faculty for the college.
While the college farm managers and superintendents lived in the house in the early 1860s, the house was also home to the first two presidents of Iowa State. Later, the Deans of Agriculture made it their home. College and university faculty lived in it for one hundred and ten years, from 1860 to 1970. The individuals who lived at the Farm House and worked for the college made significant contributions to the nation's agricultural policies. The house is a National Historic Landmark because of two of those individuals, James "Tama Jim" Wilson, who lived in the house during the 1890s, and Seaman Knapp in the 1880s.
Today, the Farm House Museum serves the university community as well as visitors from around the world. It is open to the public, offering educational programs, tours, and activities that focus on the developing first fifty years of Iowa State, 1860 through 1910. The Farm House Museum offers visitors a view into a 19th century home on the campus at a time when most faculty members lived with their families on the college grounds.
In warm weather, the Farm House Museum is a friendly stop where visitors can relax in a comfortable wicker chair on the screen porch while absorbing the history of the university. On cooler days the Farm House Museum gives a welcome warm respite for students on their long walk to classes.
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#5 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Iowa State University
1350 Beardshear Hall Ames IA - 515-294-4111
~1.29 miles from Ames city center
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http://www.iastate.edu
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#6 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Jack Trice Stadium
Ames IA
~1.65 miles from Ames city center
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#7 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Us Army Reserve
2110 S Duff Ave Ames IA - 515-232-5430
~2.31 miles from Ames city center
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#8 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Us Naval Rotc
2625 N Loop Dr Ames IA - 515-294-6050
~2.66 miles from Ames city center
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#9 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Big Creek State Park
Moran IA
~17.28 miles from Ames city center
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Big Creek State Lake was created as part of the Saylorville project to protect Polk City from floods. A diversion dam which forms the 866-acre Big Creek Lake was primarily developed as a flood control project but also offers a wide variety of recreation. Big Creek State Park and the adjoining public hunting areas provide recreation for visitors of all ages and interests. The focal point of the 3,550- acre complex is the lake.
Picnicking/Shelters
Shelters and picnic areas, a beach, playground, a multi-purpose sports field and several boat ramps provide a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Open picnic shelters, located in pleasant settings around the lake, can be reserved through the park reservation system . The brown picnic tables located at the shelters are handicapped accessible.
Playground at Big CreekCamping
Camping is not permitted at Big Creek State Park. However, there are several large federal and county camping areas about four miles away on Saylorville Lake.
Trails
A 26-mile paved multi-use trail allows bicyclists and pedestrians to travel from the beach south through the Saylorville Lake area all the way to Des Moines. Eleven miles of snowmobile trails provide winter recreational opportunities. Big Creek is also popular with cross-country skiers.
Bicycling
The Central State Park Bike Route is a 91 mile route which connects Big Creek State Park, Ledges State Park , and Springbrook State Park . It is relatively flat, with a few 'challenging' hills as you make your way across the valleys of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.
Lake Activities (swimming, boating, fishing)
Big Creek Lake's clear water provides great family swimming fun. Refreshments are available at the beach during the swimming season. A large wooden play structure, accessible to the mobility impaired, is located at the beach. Disc golf, model air, softball, and volleyball areas provide additional entertainment.
Big Creek Lake provides excellent fishing year-round. The lake's clear waters are stocked with crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and muskie. The lake is popular for a variety of boating activities. Any size motor may be operated at "no wake" speeds on the lake. Five modern boat ramps, three on the west side and two on the east, provide excellent access to the lake. A gravel ramp is located on the upper end of the lake. Sailboat rigging zones and vehicle parking areas are at each modern ramp. A 88-berth "dry-dock" area is at the northeast corner of the park. Arrangements for rental of dry-docking space may be made through the park office. A fishing pier is accessible to the mobility impaired.
Hunting
The state park is a wildlife refuge where hunting is not permitted. However, hunting is allowed on the lake itself and in designated public hunting areas around the lake. Upland areas open for hunting are marked with public hunting signs. Favorite game includes pheasants, rabbit, deer and squirrel. Waterfowl hunting is popular on the lake. Information on hunting regulations can be found at: http://www.iowadnr.com/wildlife/index.html
Charles "Butch" Olofson Shooting Range
The shooting range is located off Highway 415, three miles northwest of the park entrance and offers sheltered stations for firing handguns and rifles. The range is operated by a private concessionaire and is open to the public year round. The hours are Wednesday - Friday 12 P.M. to sunset and Saturday and Sunday 8 A.M to sunset. A recently developed trap and skeet area also provides challenging recreational opportunities at this complex. The trap and skeet area is available Wednesday - Friday 3 P.M. until dark and Saturday and Sunday 8 A.M. until dark. This area also provides a classroom facility for hunter education, training, and meetings. Please call 515-795-2067 or 515-238-6977 for information, upcoming events or change in hours.
Nearby Towns
Polk City is two miles south on NW Madrid Drive. Des Moines is 11 miles south. Ankeny is 8 miles south-east. Madrid is seven miles north. Ames is 20 miles north.
Contact Information
8794 NW 125th Ave
Polk City, IA 50226
ph. 515/984-6473
fax: 515/984-9320
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#10 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Saylorville Lake
Des Moines IA
~20.25 miles from Ames city center
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#11 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Adventureland
305 34th Ave NW Altoona IA - 800-532-1286
~26.99 miles from Ames city center
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Adventureland USA is Iowas largest and most complete family resort.
http://www.adventurelandpark.com
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#12 of 12 Things To Do in Ames
Zoo Lounge
766 Ne Broadway Ave Des Moines IA - 515/246-0218
~27.00 miles from Ames city center
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