Your best day ever is in full bloom in Ames. From scenic strolls through luscious gardens to greenhouses filled with blossoming plants, Ames is the perfect destination for all gardening enthusiasts.
Reiman Gardens
With 17 acres of stunning landscapes, vibrant flowers, and diverse plant collections, Reiman Gardens is an oasis in the heart of Ames. Reiman Gardens was named one of the Top 10 Gardens Worth Traveling to in North America for 2023. Spend your morning exploring the gardens.
- In the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing, enjoy the beauty of these tropical insects surrounded by unique species of plants to resemble their natural habitat. On any given day, the Butterfly Wing is home to as many as 800 butterflies, representing up to 80 different species.
- Reiman Gardens is home to an award-winning collection of roses. The Griffith Buck Rose Collection and the Helen Latch Jones Rose Gardens are ranked as a Top Ten Rose Garden in the World by USA Today.
- Don’t forget to say hello to Elwood, the World’s Largest Concrete Gnome. Standing at 15 feet tall and weighing over 3,500 pounds, Elwood is one of the most photographed spots at Reiman Gardens.
Go green for lunch
Drive by Clayton Farms Salads for one of the world’s freshest salads. Each salad, wrap, and smoothie are made with greens grown in house, giving you the freshest experience possible. Enjoy your lunch by the lake at Ada Hayden Heritage Park.
Back Alley House Plants
After lunch, visit Back Alley House Plants for beautiful greenery. This expanded location on Main Street is filled with an ever-changing gallery of plants. Stop by this unique store to bring the beauty of nature into your home.
Holub Greenhouses
Next stop is Holub Greenhouses, a local greenhouse helping gardeners with their planting and growing needs. Stroll through the greenhouses and gaze at their selection of over 200 varieties of annuals, perennials, vegetables, and herbs!
Â
An afternoon at the Iowa Arboretum
Finish the afternoon at the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens. Explore the beautiful gardens, open-planted tree areas, and native woodland and prairie trails. Wander through the Iris and Daylily Garden to see over 264 irises in the Iowa Arboretum’s collection. Or check out The Shade Garden that provides a tranquil space filled with large native trees that provide an overhead canopy, allowing smaller woody species to flourish. And don’t miss the new Treehouse Village!
Dinner at Café Beaudelaire
For dinner, visit the soul of Brazil in the heart of Iowa, Café Beaudelaire brings Brazilian fusion to their cuisine and drinks. Chow down on the Beaudelaire Bauru, the signature sandwich featured on the menu, or if you’re feeling a little more traditional, grab one of the classic burgers. Wash it down with their famous long island or classic drinks with a Latin twist.
Written by Reese Scherder, Marketing Intern
