Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
View all trips
Content missing
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Take some of Michigan’s produce home with you.
American Spoon
The local catch is delicious fried as well.
Terry's of Charlevoix
Carlson’s Fishery is a Great Lakes institution.
Carlson’s Fishery
Books are available inside for borrowing or purchase.
Cathedral Café
Exterior of the historic Dyffryn Arms pub.
Dyffryn Arms
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Cely’s map is not only accurate, but captures the unique characteristics of Congaree’s trees and waterways.
How One Biologist Drew a Hyper-Accurate, Ranger-Approved Map of Congaree National Park
1 day ago
Though they’re protected inside the park, wolves can be killed when they cross its borders.
Wolves Have a Bad Reputation. One Yellowstone Naturalist Is Trying to Fix It.
1 day ago
Passersby stop to admire the punny offerings of Brooklyn’s only dinosaur bodega.
We Visited the Dino Bodega in (Jurassic) Park Slope
3 days ago
Native Americans have a longstanding, rich, and vibrant culture in Wyoming.
Wyoming’s Sacred Landscapes: A Journey Through Native American History
4 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All the United States Iowa Ames

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Ames

2 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Ames, Iowa

Updated November 10, 2016

Email
Attractions
Map
Leaderboards
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Ames

The World’s Tallest Concrete Gnome

Ames, Iowa

Elwood, the World's Tallest Concrete Gnome

Beating out all other concrete competitors, this massive garden feature's pointy hat has earned it a world record.
“Other Arts Follow” (Agricultural panel)

Ames, Iowa

Grant Wood Murals

The “American Gothic" artist's largest works hang in an Iowa State University library.
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!
The Story City Carousel

Story City, Iowa

Story City Carousel

This hand-carved wooden carousel in the Story City North Park was built in 1913.
11 miles from Ames
The lights’ reflection in the Des Moines River below.

Madrid, Iowa

High Trestle Trail Bridge

A half-mile long and three stories high, this bridge over the Des Moines River Valley mimics a descent into a mine shaft.
16 miles from Ames
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Ames, Iowa

Universities 3

Ames Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. abandonedexplorerscom
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Ames.

Places Edited

  1. ski queen
    1
  2. PushingUpDaisies
    1
  3. SemiruralYeti
    1
  4. mskatemarshall
    1
  5. Michael Reinhardt
    1
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. marnijane32
    2
  2. pmtarbox
    2
  3. howiescher
    2
  4. hjazzie
    2
  5. ellatheenchanted
    2
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Ames.

Recent Ames Activity

  • agtarantino

    wants to go to Elwood, the World's Tallest Concrete Gnome

    7 days ago
  • dacia0427

    wants to go to Elwood, the World's Tallest Concrete Gnome

    5 days ago
  • davidpsitzer

    wants to go to Grant Wood Murals

    3 days ago
  • Sam46012

    wants to go to Elwood, the World's Tallest Concrete Gnome

    3 days ago
  • zminikes

    wants to go to Elwood, the World's Tallest Concrete Gnome

    2 days ago

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.