Eat and shop your way through the cultural center of Ames along a few popular streets notable for their history and bustling atmosphere.
A visit to the Main Street Cultural District in Ames is a must for any visitor to the area. Try local delicacies from the family-owned restaurants and buy handcrafted goods from one of the many stores. Visit for a special event and see how the town celebrates.
The Main Street Cultural District was created in 2009 after town leaders sought a way to give the area a gathering space and a common focus. It took 2 years to make this vision a reality. Enjoy the results of that hard work by adding this stop to your itinerary.
When you first start your walk through the district, you will notice the smells of freshly cooked food wafting down the street. From pizza to hamburgers to Thai food, you’ll find restaurant options for everyone in your group. Sit down next to the window in a coffee shop to watch people go by. Purchase sandwiches from a local deli to eat as you wander.
Shopping options are plentiful. Stop at a home furnishing store to outfit your house in eclectic textiles and handmade furniture. Go shopping for a new piece of jewelry at the silversmith’s store or buy a new pair of sandals from the many clothing and shoe stores.
No matter what day you visit the area, there will likely be an event or class for you to join. Attend a lecture on computer basics, see a free concert on the weekends or take the kids to a movie night at the library. There are also seasonal activities for Christmas and the Fourth of July, as well as parades and trick-or-treating on Halloween.
As the Main Street Cultural District is a collection of stores and restaurants, the individual businesses operate different hours throughout the year, but the streets themselves are always open for a stroll. Park in the bays along Main Street, which have meters for payment.
