Things to do... (Ames, Boone, Madrid: theater, living, restaurants)

[ccjc1213]

I have recently moved to Story County area. I have friends coming to visit and they want me to show them around. Any suggetions of places to take them in the area (including DM). Also good places to eat would help out too! Thanks!

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by ccjc1213

I have recently moved to Story County area. I have friends coming to visit and they want me to show them around. Any suggetions of places to take them in the area (including DM). Also good places to eat would help out too! Thanks!

Ledges State Park in Boone is pretty cool and maybe the campus area of Ames. A great place to eat around the campus in Ames is Cafe Beaudelaire (or something like that. "Cafe Beau"). Basically it's Brazillian and pita-related foods. I've been really, really craving cheese empanadas, Brazillian fries (basically seasoned potatoes with seasoned mayo, very tasty) and this dish they have that's rice, black beans, sausage, pork, collard greens and lemon. They don't have a very extensive menu, but what they do have is good. I wish that place was a little closer to home.

[DSMGuy]

It depends on what they like and, of course, the weather. Here are some things going on this Spring:

- Iowa Cubs - AAA minor league baseball in a very nice ballpark on the river with views of the capitol

- Iowa Barnstormers (arena football) - Play at the new Wells Fargo Arena

- Concerts - Billy Joel plays at Wells Fargo Arena this month, same with Bon Jovi. The arena always has events going on, so google "wells fargo arena" or "iowa events center."

- Living History Farms - One of the top outdoor museums in the US

- Farmer's Market - Saturday mornings starting in May. It sounds like a bunch of farmers sitting around, but it is more like a festival with thousands of people, entertainment, blocks of vendors. Sometimes they get as many as 30,000 people attending.

- IMAX theater - At the Science Center of Iowa

- State Capitol building

- State Historical Museum

- Clubs & bars (restaurants too) in the East Village & Court Avenue areas

Check seedesmoines.com for more info on other things to do, or absolutedsm.com for comments on the events.

[WoodwardGirl]

Originally Posted by DSMGuy

It depends on what they like and, of course, the weather.

If they are gardeners or like seeing gardens in the spring, I'd add Rieman Gardens in Ames and the Iowa Arboretum north of Madrid.

If you can pick out any particular hobbies or passions they have, I bet we can find something "special" for them...

[pepe1]

A couple other fun activites in the area...Ride the dinner train at the Boone Scenic River Railway. Live horse racing starts up next weekend (the 18th) at Prairie Meadows.

[El Rhino]

Good call on both accounts, Pepe.

I'll also throw in a suggestion for the Art Center. It's free, the restaurant inside there is very good and reasonable (Usually gourmet, offering a couple entrees and salads per day. I believe it's less than $10. Definitely worth checking out, especially on a nice day when you can sit outside) and the Greenwood Park area around it is kind of cool.

[WoodwardGirl]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

Good call on both accounts, Pepe.

I'll also throw in a suggestion for the Art Center.

The giant blue "beanbag" vinyl electrical plug rocks!