you really can't go wrong with the entry level class where you are serve, ask questions, taste…read moretest, and bring home a recipe. it's a curated but chill environment with no such thing as a stupid question.

5/5 experience. I attended a 4 course (5 if you include the wedge salad) Italian style menu/demo…read more This reminded me of a supper club I attended years ago in south Florida. This concept was slightly different as the pasta portion was hands on. I really enjoyed that because I learned a good bit about pasta & Ive made it in the past but it was so dense. Food was delicious throughout. They also have a bar & have some seasonable cocktails so that was a nice touch. I enjoyed that it was interactive & open. The space itself is designed well & the kitchen is what I dream of having in my own home one day! Haha. They offer so many different events all with different price points.

The Octagon Center of the Arts has since moved down the block a few spots. I recently wandered into…read morethe shop and the adjacent gallery that was featuring a sign history of Ames. Great Stuff.

I really love this place! Cool art store/gallery/space to rent!…read more I have enjoyed concerts, classes, and art shows here! The rooms are beautiful and big enough for a nice crew to be in, but not huge enough to make things not feel intimate! The store is full of hand made, art stuff! Like Prints, one of a kind things, local art, jewelry, kitchen items, books, dvd's, cd's you name it! If it's art they probably have it! Perfect store for gift shopping for the unique someone who has everything...

My first visit was a good one, as Stephens Auditorium was a positive experience, combining…read moreoutstanding customer service with a terrific music venue that hit all the notes. Parking is easy and organized. A handicapped friend raved about their parking situation. The interior is immaculate, with great acoustics. The balcony and side balcony seating are superb options. There are some beverages and nibbles, but I would show up fed! Some social causes were highlighted in the main lobby. I appreciated the kindness and professionalism of the staff and security personnel. The Barenaked Ladies and Toad The Wet Sprocket were fantastic, and the 2600-seat venue performed well!

Covid brought AmesCommunityTheater and Stephens together and we had our first play here since the…read morepandemic began. They did an awesome job with masking and social distancing! The place is very clean. See pics. The play was very good. Marcy'sDinerTantrumScale 5/5-NoScreamingKids.

Such a fun first visit, as we attended a watercolor class and it was an enjoyable experience that…read moreended too soon. Easy parking, visited without lofty expectations, as it was a brutally cold day and we were happy to be out of the house and wanted to have fun. Joanie and Megan made the whole experience a great time! They are pleasant, knowledgeable, encouraging, and talented. We enjoyed interacting with our fellow total of ten attendees, and they made it a better event. I like how you all sit at a community table and experience it together. I learned how to do really fun watercolor strokes and designs, but also had a terrific time doing it. We will return, as it is a great place to get away and have some fun.

Loved coming in and making my project! This place is so fun and for all ages! Staff was so helpful…read moreand kind. Their boutique is full of gorgeous home decor and perfect for gifts.

We visited the beach area. The enormous play area was pretty impressive. The entire area…read moreaccommodates large groups and has multiple areas of shelter for gatherings. Restrooms were clean and stocked. Plenty of parking spaces available. It would really awesome if there was some type of concession stand.

A perfect picnic place. Shelters, beach, play castle, docks,…read moreboat rentals, volleyball and more. Checking this place out on a early Sunday. The people started to come in and check out the beach. I wandered inside the marina and they have snacks, sunscreen, bait and more goodies. A little of everything you could want or need for a day at the beach/park. The ladies inside working were very kind and sweet. We were close by and had rented the shelter for the day. The ladies said it was a quieter day due to the rains from yesterday chased most away. But it turned out to be a perfect day.

When I pulled up I was not sure what I was getting myself into. Then when I walked in I saw a…read morepeople happy and having a good time. The hospitality I received was key which made our time a lot more fun. Our group was easily thrown in and was taught some dances from the regulars. Would recommend to friends looking for something to do on the weekend.

Stopped for lunch at The Traveling Pig, a new food truck that is making the rounds in Ames. They…read morehave great porchetta sandwiches based on flavors from around the world. I had the BBQ and it did not disappoint. The sauce was amazing and the slaw on top put it over the edge. The "truck made" chips were also fantastic. I know the truck makes the rounds around Ames and if you follow them on Facebook, you can find out where they are. I'm hoping to visit them frequently this summer.

Few words can describe how incredible of an experience my wife and I have had using Ben as our…read morego-to photographer for all occasions. My wife hired Ben to take her senior photos in high school and we just recently hired him to shoot our engagement photos and our wedding. He has a natural eye for a good photo and can adapt quickly to new settings, conditions, and environments. Despite being young, he has a lot of experience and a breadth of knowledge in great locations for photoshoots. Even if he's shot at a location many times, your photos will still feel unique and personal. Perhaps the best part of hiring Ben as your photographer is his personality. He's easy to befriend, personable, and is incredible with kids. He's very patient and if it weren't for his easy-going persona, I'd have been a nervous mess during all our photoshoots. Rather, I recall commenting to my wife how genuinely enjoyable it was to get our photos done with Ben. It felt less like a "to-do" or a chore and much more like an experience. But of course, you hire a photographer for the results. And the results are stunning. I don't generally enjoy looking at pictures of myself but Ben's photos feel less like looking at pictures of yourself and more like reliving moments in time. He has a such a knack for capturing the beauty of a moment. Perhaps the best part is that he gives you lifetime access to all the full-resolution digital copies of all the photos he took/edited. There may be a premium for this built into his fees, but compared to other photographers I've used who charge exorbitant fees for each digital copy you want to acquire, this is a probably still a steal. To say Ben is a photographer is to say Picasso was a painter: he's one of the friendliest, most talented, and natural artistic professionals I've ever met, and if you want a photographer that won't leave you disappointed, Ben is your guy.