Outstanding community resource located at 6th and Duff Ave. I'd recommend seeing the Ames Community…read moreBand preform with Simon Estes during their yearly concert in July! A very Powerful performance!

Bandshell Park is fairly close to Downtown Ames and is the city's first and oldest green space.at…read moreover 100 years old. In addition to the attractive Bandshell (for various community performances), there's a nice picnic area, playground, and restrooms.

Awesome home remodelling resale store. Lots of parts, tools, furniture and hardware and always a…read morefew random gems to be found. Hours have improved (finally open past 2pm, they are open until 7pm on Thursday now - hurrah!). Great way to save some money while supporting Habitat for Humanity!

We love this carousel. Unfortunately we didn't see the signs on Hwy 35 that used to advertise the…read morecarousel. We thought it had closed. It is happily still open and only $1. Stop by and help save the carousel. Only a few minutes off the freeway.

Gayle and I recently took a spin on the historical 1913 antique carousel. It was spinning during…read morethese summer months and for a $1 per ride, it's a heck-of-a deal. The merry-go-round is run by friendly volunteers and it's a time warp of the best kind.

Camp is one of my favorite places! The staff is amazing and I look forward to seeing them every…read moresummer!

I went to this camp when I was a child, and most of the counselors were good. However, there was a…read morevery dorky counselor who would make random people sit outside during events because 'they were talking.' He was completely arbitrary with picking on children and if he heard a whisper, then he would send you outside.

Moore Memorial Park is a short walking distance from my parent's home in northern Ames. The park is…read morenamed for Fern and Bertha Moore who operated a dairy farm here and donated their 90 acres of land to the City of Ames. It is said that Bertha Moore would enjoy negotiating with developers who tried to buy her valuable land that was (and is) located next to the golf course. She would hear them out, bargain, and then decline. In her will, she was always clear that she wanted the future use of her land as a place where children could play. During our recent family trip back to Ames, my son enjoyed wandering off to this Park and I'm sure would thank Bertha Moore if he could. He admires the pond, walks the paths that loop around, sits in the grass playing his Nintendo DS, sits and talks with his Dad and Grandparents on a park bench, and climbs up the observation tower with his cousins. In his younger days, he would enjoy himself for hours at the play structure. As I walk the loop myself, I particular enjoy the old farm buildings (silo and a machine shed), the trees, the Big Bluestem Shelter, and the acres of prairie grasses and wildflowers. This place is not as big as Ada Hayden, but it is my neighbourhood park and I'm sure that I will continue to enjoy the handsome layout and its many relaxing features.

Moingona girl scouts are fond memories over in the Boone, IA area. We sold more cookies than…read moreanyone else because we ordered a ton of cookies and then went door to door at the college dorms. We made out nicely and got to go to camp for free because of it.

My daughter started coming to the Y Camp when she was in single digits with Camp Hertko Hollow (for…read morekids with T1D)... A few years ago she started signing up for their LDP program. First VIP then LA and finally CIT. Now at 17 she is employed as a Leader. She's leading younger kids through their overnight, day, and family camp programs. Along with things coming full circle and helping the kids coming in for Camp Hertko Hollow. I'm pretty proud of her. As a parent I've worked with the staff here for over a decade watching my daughter grow up partly under their care... I've watched her build friendships that don't just last a summer... They get together at each other's homes during the school year too...and if that's not possible thanks to technology they still keep in touch one way or another. We live close enough she still comes home now and then after camp breaks on Saturday and returns before it resumes on Sunday. She came home last weekend for a day and brought two car loads of kids with her. I believe they participate in the IENA program... Kind of an exchange program with international and North American camp leaders. I only got to meet a few of them. Two of her friends were from Ireland and one was from the UK. That was different...and fun! All great kids! The facilities are modern and kept up to date with periodic remodels. It's sure not the tent camping I was used to with Scouts. Now don't get me wrong... It's not going to be all sunshine and rainbows. Things happen with kids... Kids get homesick and some minor accidents etc. come with the territory. The staff here always deals with it well and involves the parents when needed. As a parent it can be kind of hard to let go and start to give your child that freedom... But I trust the staff and I know she's always been in a good place here.

Stayed at the Y Camp for Pollinate Women's Wellness Weekend on Oct. 9-13 and it was lovely. Aside…read morefrom the outstanding programming of the Pollinate organizers, the facilities were amazing. The cabins were cozy and warm, almost all indoor spaces had a fireplace, the bathrooms were clean, the showers had hot water and the staff were friendly and helpful. Although the cold eliminated some water activities, there was still a ton to do. They offered archery, zip lining, guided hikes, climbing walls, horse back riding, sling shotting, arts and crafts, and a hammock farm! The meals were tasty and the dining hall was comfortable. The grounds felt safe and offered views of a creek and the Boone railway. There were plenty of spaces to just relax in nature and while the campgrounds are huge, most of the facilities are easily within a 5 minute walk of each other. I would love to return for family camp, or to send the kids for one of their many summer camp options. If you are looking for a place to host a family reunion, wedding, or event, I recommend checking them out. They have a space for almost any kind of event and their prices are very reasonable.

What a wonderful find! We were in town for parents weekend and looking for an activity to do. Love,…read morelove, love this place! The owner was incredibly welcoming and nice, the puzzles were creative, intriguing, and several were even homemade. Very creative and fun, we will definitely be back!

This is just the beginning for this company, I believe. The gentleman who runs this was super…read morefriendly! The price seemed a little high, but I'm sure it's normal for this type of night out. This was our first time (group of 4) doing an Escape Room, and it was overall a very good experience! We will be going back to try out the other option soon. Family friendly and totally PG! Fun night out. We did the Teacher's Pet experience.