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My Top Recs for Central Iowa
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items Just a stay at home mom raising kids in central Iowa. Here’s a list of our top recommended places in the Ames/DSM area!
Map
Sections
4
Eat, Drink, and be Merry!
Things to do!
Parks we love
Favorite Shops
Eat, Drink, and be Merry!
This family owned restaurant prides itself on high quality food and incredible service. This is one of our family’s favorite choices for a delicious meal that also supports local.
Flight Bar + Grille
Looking for the best pizza in central Iowa? Don’t sleep on trying Great Plains! The pizza, atmosphere, and service are all incredible. And don’t forget the honey for your dipping your handmade crust- the perfect cherry on a delicious pizza meal.
The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co.
Our date night fave! Aunt Maude’s has the most incredible food and drink menu and their atmosphere is intimate and romantic. We love the blackened chicken pasta, any of their steaks, and of course their wine selection as well!
Aunt Maude's
Lived in Hawaii for a little over a year and this instantly takes me back to my island life. The Mac salad is spot on and all of their entrees are fantastic and authentic! We love a good comfort meal from Alohana!!
Alohana Hawaiian Grill
The cutest little historic coffee shop run by a true gem of a woman! So fortunate to have this place in our town and practically just down the street! They are even expanding to add food options that I’ve only heard great things about. Best coffee an...
Blissful Brew Coffee & Shop
Need a last minute gift for someone special?! Fabled always has you covered! Whether it’s a stocking stuffer, teacher appreciation gift, or a sweet little valentine, fabled popcorn makes the best gift- and snack for yourself too, you might as well gr...
Fabled Popcorn Company
The Open Flame offers a small town friendly environment with exceptional service and quality! We love going to grill up a steak or visit for one of their special events like Mother’s Day brunch! The best steak around!
The Open Flame Steakhouse
Things to do!
Couldn’t make a central Iowa recommendation list without including our favorite weekly activity!! We absolutely love Kindermusik class with all of the educators at Tuneful Journey! The time we spend with our kids individually each week during class i...
Tuneful Journey
We are always down for a trip to Blank Park Zoo! The variety of animals for the size of this zoo is really impressive. We love the layout and appreciate the variety. The staff are always really friendly and it’s a very clean and joyful place to be! W...
Blank Park Zoo
This might seem a little random, but we love AFC and our kids do too! With a kids gym membership, kids can be dropped off for two hours per day to play while you enjoy a workout, shower, sauna, or trip to the cafe (located in the south location). It’...
Ames Fitness Center
We love an outing to the DSM Children’s Museum. It is ever changing and evolving and we find something new almost every time we visit!
Des Moines Children's Museum
We have had a membership at Reiman Gardens for years! They have really fun special events and they we especially love their weekly Caterpillar Club story time for young kids!
Reiman Gardens
We LOVE the science center of Iowa! Their new little discoveries area is the best and is perfect for all three of our boys! There’s always something new to explore and discover at the science center!
Science Center of Iowa
We LOVE Center Grove. They are always adding and expanding and feature so many fun events for kids and families! We’ve tried it all!
Center Grove Orchard
Parks we love
A little hidden gem of a playground tucked back in a quiet neighborhood in north Ames! One of our favorites!
Moore Memorial Park
We love the the Ledges are “in our backyard.” Such a perfect park for hiking, exploring, and observing nature. Our kids love to splash in the stream and they always attempt to catch a frog or two. One of our favorite local parks!
Ledges State Park
This park is another one of our favorites. We love the playgrounds, firetruck, and the hiking trails! There is a short little hiking trail right along the river that is perfect for me and my three boys’ adventures!
Brookside Park
Favorite Shops
One of my favorite places to shop and consign! Always such high quality kids items and at great prices too!
Duck Worth Wearing
Looking for the coziest, friendliest little indie bookstore? Look to further- Dog Eared Books is the place! We love how up to date their shelves are and always find just what we are looking for. They have an awesome drink menu too for your favorite c...
Dog·Eared Books
Are you seeing a trend? 😏 We love to thrift! Overflow offers affordable prices, quality items, and we love their mission and what they stand for! A trip to Overflow is always worth it!
Overflow Thrift Store