Ames

Located just thirty miles north of Des Moines in central Iowa, Ames is home to Iowa State University. With university students accounting for almost half the city’s population, the city has a youthful, energetic feel, a thriving nightlife scene and numerous cultural attractions including the Brunnier Art Museum and Remain Gardens. For those who enjoy the outdoors, the city has more than thirty parks, over fifty miles of hard-surface shared use trails, a large aquatic center and a number of golf courses. There is an eclectic mix of food and drink options, including a number of local breweries and vineyards. Once ranked amongst the best places to live in the US, this is a city well worth a visit.