Sonder ›USA ›Iowa ›Ames
Ames stays by Sonder

Ames hums with college-town sidewalks and long Midwestern light.

Sonder Ames Places to Stay

Ames invites wandering through downtown streets and campus corners, made for slow return visits.

Destination
Dates
Guests
A scene in Ames
About Ames

College-town calm, steady and thoughtful.

Ames moves with a college-town rhythm shaped by Iowa State University, where campus energy, walkable blocks, and everyday local routines give the city a grounded, memorable character.

What Makes Ames Ames

  • Campustown energy after class
  • Lincoln Way storefront strolls
  • Cycles along the Skunk River
  • Game days around Jack Trice
Ames stays

Pick the part of the city to wake up in.

Stays grouped by the way people travel, so you can start from the trip you want rather than a list of rooms in Ames.

See More Properties

Aparthotels in Ames

Over 3+ Apartment-Style Stays with Hotel Comfort in Ames
See More Properties

Business Hotels & Aparthotels in Ames

Over 2+ Work-Friendly Stays for Business Trips in Ames
See More Properties
Ames at a Glance

Campus-town rhythm, local tables, easy walks.

Walkable, college-town, and easy to settle into, Ames moves at a relaxed pace for food-focused travelers.

Known for

A college-town identity shaped by Iowa State University, with research energy, campus landmarks, and a steady rhythm of student life, athletics, and local gathering spots.

Best for

Best for first visits, campus-centered stays, and work trips that can stretch into a low-key weekend, especially if you like museums, coffee stops, and casual dining.

Walkability

Downtown Ames and Campustown are the most walkable areas, with sidewalks linking shops, restaurants, and campus landmarks in a compact, easy-to-navigate core.

Closest airport

Des Moines International Airport (DSM), to the southwest of central Ames.

Ideal trip length

Two to three days gives you time to see campus, linger over downtown streets, and keep the pace relaxed without feeling rushed.

Vibe

Academic, easygoing, neighborly, and quietly energetic.

The Ames Experience

What lingers after a day in Ames.

Campus game days, coffee runs downtown, and park-lined bike rides shape the things to do in Ames.

Start the day with coffee downtown

Ease into the morning at a downtown café, where laptops, early meetings, and familiar orders set the pace before the day picks up.

Pick up produce at the farmers market

Browse seasonal fruit, baked goods, and flowers from local vendors, then head home with a bag that feels ready for a simple weeknight meal.

Walk errands along the city center streets

Move between bookstores, everyday shops, and lunch counters in Ames, letting the city center turn a few practical errands into a relaxed hour out.

Unwind on a bike path after work

Follow one of the local bike paths for an easy reset, watching commuters, joggers, and riders share the same steady evening rhythm.

Ease into the morning at a downtown café, where laptops, early meetings, and familiar orders set the pace before the day picks up.
Browse seasonal fruit, baked goods, and flowers from local vendors, then head home with a bag that feels ready for a simple weeknight meal.
Move between bookstores, everyday shops, and lunch counters in Ames, letting the city center turn a few practical errands into a relaxed hour out.
Follow one of the local bike paths for an easy reset, watching commuters, joggers, and riders share the same steady evening rhythm.
Neighborhoods of Ames

Every few blocks, a different Ames.

From historic streets to leafy waterfront, each neighborhood offers its own way
to spend a day in the city.

When to Visit Ames

Ames through the academic calendar.

September and October, when Iowa State home football games fill Ames and the trees turn.

Spring

Downtown feels open and refreshed, with campus paths, local cafes, and evening walks drawing people outside at an easy pace as the city settles into longer days.

Highlights Ames Main Street Farmers' Market, Iowa State University commencement, Octagon Art Festival

Tip Spring suits travelers who like a slower rhythm and easy time between downtown and campus.

Summer

Days stretch into relaxed hours around downtown tables, campus greens, and shaded streets, with a lighter, more social rhythm that favors lingering and impromptu plans.

Highlights Ames Main Street Farmers' Market, summer concerts and community events, Art in the Park

Tip Summer works well if you want to move casually between outdoor events and dinner in the city center.

Fall

The city takes on a clearer tempo, shaped by campus energy, game-day routines, and crisp walks through downtown, where coffee stops and late-afternoon light set the mood.

Highlights Iowa State Cyclones football, Iowa State University Homecoming, Ames Main Street Farmers' Market

Tip Fall is a strong choice for travelers who want Ames at its most rhythmically active.

Winter

Streets quiet down, and the pace turns inward around warm dining rooms, campus buildings, and short walks between blocks, creating a calm, low-key city atmosphere.

Highlights Iowa State Cyclones basketball, holiday events downtown, Ames Public Library programming

Tip Winter suits travelers who prefer an indoor-focused stay with easy access to cafes, games, and cultural stops.

Downtown feels open and refreshed, with campus paths, local cafes, and evening walks drawing people outside at an easy pace as the city settles into longer days.

Highlights Ames Main Street Farmers' Market, Iowa State University commencement, Octagon Art Festival

Tip Spring suits travelers who like a slower rhythm and easy time between downtown and campus.

Days stretch into relaxed hours around downtown tables, campus greens, and shaded streets, with a lighter, more social rhythm that favors lingering and impromptu plans.

Highlights Ames Main Street Farmers' Market, summer concerts and community events, Art in the Park

Tip Summer works well if you want to move casually between outdoor events and dinner in the city center.

The city takes on a clearer tempo, shaped by campus energy, game-day routines, and crisp walks through downtown, where coffee stops and late-afternoon light set the mood.

Highlights Iowa State Cyclones football, Iowa State University Homecoming, Ames Main Street Farmers' Market

Tip Fall is a strong choice for travelers who want Ames at its most rhythmically active.

Streets quiet down, and the pace turns inward around warm dining rooms, campus buildings, and short walks between blocks, creating a calm, low-key city atmosphere.

Highlights Iowa State Cyclones basketball, holiday events downtown, Ames Public Library programming

Tip Winter suits travelers who prefer an indoor-focused stay with easy access to cafes, games, and cultural stops.

Campus-side regulars

From Campustown coffee stops to downtown lunches, these are the Ames places locals return to again and again.

Grab coffee in Campustown

Independent cafés near Campustown fill with students, faculty, and downtown regulars before class, making this a simple way to feel Ames on an ordinary morning.

Browse Saturday at the Ames Farmers' Market

Downtown stalls bring produce, baked goods, and easy conversation to the center of Ames, a weekly ritual for neighbors who stop by between errands.

Catch a set at The Maintenance Shop

Students and locals drift into this Memorial Union room for shows, then spill back toward Campustown after. It feels casual, close, and very Ames.

A few things worth knowing.

Notes that help you plan a trip to Ames.

Most walkable areas

Downtown Ames and Campustown make the easiest footing, with shops, cafes, and Iowa State energy close together.

Getting around

CyRide covers much of Ames, and biking works well around campus; a car helps for farther edges.

Ideal trip length

Two to three nights gives you time for Downtown, Campustown, and a slower look at Iowa State.

Good for work trips

Look for apartment-style stays near downtown or campus, where Wi-Fi, desks, and kitchens support longer workdays.

Good to know

Ames travel questions, answered.

Quick answers to the questions travelers ask most.

01 / 07
What are the top Boutique Hotels and Aparthotels in Ames?

Discover top family-friendly travel options in or near Ames. If you're planning a trip or vacation to Ames, consider spending a week or two at any of our welcoming family-allowed hotels, resorts, or other recommended properties. These are renowned as the Top Vacation Rentals and Places to Stay in Ames:

02 / 07
How many Boutique Hotels, Aparthotels, and Urban Apartments are available in Ames?

Sonder™ regularly updates its listings to offer a diverse selection of accommodations, each with clear details on family amenities. Currently, there are over 17 active properties listed by Sonder in 2026 in the Ames area, with new additions daily. By aggregating listings from various websites and travel providers, Sonder delivers a vast array of top places to stay that are perfect for families visiting Ames.

03 / 07
Is Ames walkable, or will I need a car?
Ames is walkable in the areas with the densest mix of dining, shops, and daily conveniences, but a car can make the rest of your stay easier. If you want to keep plans simple, look for a stay close to the places you expect to visit most. For exact access, check the listing and map before you book.

04 / 07
Where should I stay in Ames for a first visit?
For a first visit, stay where you can easily reach food, coffee, and your main reasons for coming to Ames. That usually gives you the smoothest arrival and the least planning once you are here. If neighborhood details matter to your trip, use the listing and area map to choose the setting that fits your plans.

05 / 07
How many days do you need in Ames?
Two to three days is a good starting point for Ames if you want time to settle in and get a feel for the city without rushing. A shorter stay works for a quick visit, while longer stays make sense if you are here for work or returning to the same part of town. Choose a home with the amenities you need for your full trip length.

06 / 07
What is the easiest way to get around Ames without a car?
The easiest way to get around Ames without a car is to stay near the places you plan to visit most, then rely on walking and local transit where it fits your route. If you are arriving by car, parking and access details vary by building, so check the listing before you book. That will help you plan the smoothest stay.

07 / 07
Is Ames a good fit for remote work or a work trip?
Yes, Ames can work well for remote work or a work trip if you want a quieter home base with room to spread out. Look for a stay with workspace, Wi-Fi, and other practical amenities where available. If your schedule depends on specific features, confirm them in the listing before reserving so your setup matches your routine.

Discover top family-friendly travel options in or near Ames. If you're planning a trip or vacation to Ames, consider spending a week or two at any of our welcoming family-allowed hotels, resorts, or other recommended properties. These are renowned as the Top Vacation Rentals and Places to Stay in Ames:

Sonder™ regularly updates its listings to offer a diverse selection of accommodations, each with clear details on family amenities. Currently, there are over 17 active properties listed by Sonder in 2026 in the Ames area, with new additions daily. By aggregating listings from various websites and travel providers, Sonder delivers a vast array of top places to stay that are perfect for families visiting Ames.

Ames is walkable in the areas with the densest mix of dining, shops, and daily conveniences, but a car can make the rest of your stay easier. If you want to keep plans simple, look for a stay close to the places you expect to visit most. For exact access, check the listing and map before you book.

For a first visit, stay where you can easily reach food, coffee, and your main reasons for coming to Ames. That usually gives you the smoothest arrival and the least planning once you are here. If neighborhood details matter to your trip, use the listing and area map to choose the setting that fits your plans.

Two to three days is a good starting point for Ames if you want time to settle in and get a feel for the city without rushing. A shorter stay works for a quick visit, while longer stays make sense if you are here for work or returning to the same part of town. Choose a home with the amenities you need for your full trip length.

The easiest way to get around Ames without a car is to stay near the places you plan to visit most, then rely on walking and local transit where it fits your route. If you are arriving by car, parking and access details vary by building, so check the listing before you book. That will help you plan the smoothest stay.

Yes, Ames can work well for remote work or a work trip if you want a quieter home base with room to spread out. Look for a stay with workspace, Wi-Fi, and other practical amenities where available. If your schedule depends on specific features, confirm them in the listing before reserving so your setup matches your routine.

Go with curiosity. Come back with stories.

The best trips rarely go exactly as planned. Sonder keeps you closer to the neighborhoods, kitchens, and small moments that make a city worth remembering.

More places worth discovering.

Nearby destinations

Things nearby