About Ames

Getting around

The city-wide bus system CyRide offers reliable, inexpensive transport.

Getting here

Ames is 30 minutes from Des Moines, and 3 hours from Kansas City, Minneapolis and Omaha.

SMALL TOWN WARMTH.

Big city amenities.

Ames, Iowa

Beneath the small town charm of Ames, Iowa, beats the heart of a much larger city. A city that has become a player in developing the world's bio-economic future. A city with top-quality education, from kindergarten to grad school. A city that regularly draws performers like Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews and Widespread Panic, along with international symphonies and Broadway musicals. A city with hundreds of acres of parks, numerous bike paths, and cultural festivals and celebrations. A city that's been ranked the 2nd most liveable small city in the nation.

RAGBRAI headed to Ames

Riders on the Des Moines Register's annual bike ride across Iowa will arrive in Ames on July 22.

Ames and Iowa links

Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau | Ames government

iowalifechanging.com

The climate

Avg. summer temp: 72 °
Avg. winter temp: 21°
Avg. annual rain: 32 in.
Avg. annual snow: 32 in.

How Ames ranks

Ames is ranked the 2nd most liveable small city in the nation.

New Rating Guide to Life in American's Small Cities

Ames was named one of the 10 best places to retire young.

Money, Magazine, CNNMoney.com, 2007

Ames is ranked the 6th best small city in America in which to do business.

Bizjournals.com, 2002

Ames ranks among the 20th best place to live in America.

Men's Journal, 2002

Ames ranks among the 20 best places in America to live and work.

BestJobsUSA.com, 2002

Ames ranks 30th in "Best Small Places for Business and Careers."

Forbes magazine, 2008

Ames Community Schools typically produce the state's most National Merit Scholars.