Farm House Museum Located on the Iowa State University Campus, 515-294-3342, Open by appointment only to the public, this three story house was the first building on the Iowa State campus. A National Historic Landmark, the 14-room Farm House has housed college farm managers, superintendents, and the first two presidents of Iowa State. Its offers educational programs, tours, and activities that focus on the developing first 50 years of Iowa State, 1860 through 1910. Visitors can also view into a 19th century home, with a collection that consists of 19th and early 20th century decorative arts, furnishings and material culture reflecting Iowa State and Iowa. more...

Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace (circa 1890s) 709 Carroll Street, Boone, IA 50036, Located 13 Miles West, 515-432-1907, Original family furniture, a museum and a library can be found at the restored birthplace of former First Lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower, wife of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. 

Ames Public Library 515 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA 50010, 515-239-5656, A department of the City of Ames, the Ames Public Library features a nice selection of books, videos, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and magazines. Programs are regularly scheduled. more...

Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad 225 10th Street, Boone, IA 50036, Located 13 Miles West, 515-432-4249, 800-626-0319, A tourist line railroad, historic railroad items, and equipment can be seen at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad.  more... 

Boone County Historical Center 602 Story Street, Boone, IA 50036, Located 13 Miles West, 515-432-1907, Housed in the former Masonic Temple, built in 1907, the Boone County Historical Center offers exhibits on the natural, geological, Native American, military, and local history of the area. Ample genealogical records are also available. 

Brunnier Art Museum 290 Scheman Building, Ames, IA 50011, Located at the Iowa State Center, 515-294-3342, One of the United States' few museums located within a performing arts and conference complex, the Brunnier Art Museum is Iowa's only accredited museum with an emphasis on decorative arts. The Museum's collection includes dolls, prints, paintings, sculptures, textiles, carpets, glass, wood objects, lacquered pieces, silver, and furniture. Aside from its permanent collection, eight to 12 changing exhibitions are held each year.  more...

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA 50010, Located in the Ames Main Street Cultural District, 515-232-5331, The Octagon is a comprehensive community arts center located in an historic four-story building that offers art exhibitions, workshops, and such annual special events as the Octagon Art Festival and Octagon benefit auction. The Octagon Art Shop offers original, hand-crafted works of art by more than 175 local and regional artists. more... 

McFarland Park 56461 180th Street, Ames, IA 50010, McFarland Park is a 200-acre area that includes a variety of ecotypes, the Story County Conservation Center, Stargazing Observatory, hard-surfaced Touch-a-Life Trail, three primitive campsites, a six and a half-acre lake stocked with bluegill, bass and catfish, five and a half miles of trails, and picnic areas with grills.

Peterson Park 1.75 Miles East of Highway 69 on 180th Street, Peterson Park is a 200-acre park, located four miles north of Ames between Highway 69 and Dayton Road, along the Skunk River Greenbelt. Visitors enjoy such activities as fishing, picnicking, bird watching, and boating while at Peterson Park.

Reiman Gardens 1407 University Boulevard, Ames, IA 50011, Located at Iowa State University, 515-294-2710, One of the largest public gardens in Iowa, Reiman Gardens is a year-round facility that is situated on a 14-acre site. It features distinct indoor and outdoor gardens, an indoor conservatory, a 2,500-square-foot indoor butterfly wing, butterfly emergence cases, a gift shop, Hazel’s Kitchen, a café; and five supporting greenhouses.  more...

Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyards 3801 West 190th Street, Ames, IA 50014, Located 3 Miles North of Ames, 515-232-2747, Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyards' varieties are Cabernet Franc, Chancellor, Chelios, Frontenac, Marchael Foch, Niagara, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, St. Pepin, Swenson Red, Traminette, and Vidal Blanc. more...