Department of Computer Science Iowa State University Birthplace of the Electronic Digital Computer

Visiting Ames

Transportation

You can reach Ames by flying to Des Moines, Iowa (about 28 miles south of Ames on Interstate 35). Des Moines is served by most major Midwest carriers, including: Access Air, America West Express, American Airlines, American Eagle, Chicago Express, Comair, Mesaba Airlines, Northwest Airlines, TWA, US Air Express, and United Airlines. (See the Des Moines airport web page at www.dsmairport.com for phone numbers and flight information.)

After arriving in Des Moines, you can travel to Ames via a rental car (Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National) at the airport (see the airport web page for details), or you can take the shuttle bus to Ames. Getting from the airport to I-35 in Des Moines is a little tricky; see the map at www.external.ameslab.gov/Common/dsmmap.html for route details. There are also good maps of Des Moines on Iowa State's web page at www.fpm.iastate.edu/maps/admap.html.


Driving to Ames

Ames is approximately 28 miles north of Des Moines (where Interstates 80 and 35 connect). We are about 220 miles south of Minneapolis on I-35, 320 miles west of Chicago on I-80, and 168 miles east of Omaha on I-80.

The Facilities, Planning, and Management department has a fantastic interactive map of Iowa State University on their web page at www.fpm.iastate.edu/maps/. It would be easiest if you had a look there first. See also www.external.ameslab.gov/Common/amesmap.html. Department of Computer Science is Located in Atanasoff Hall. To get to Atanasoff Hall from Interstate 35 near Ames, exit at Highway 30  (exit 111B) and head west on 30. Take the third exit (exit 146) and head north on Elwood Drive.  The Iowa State Center will be to your left (west). Cross Lincoln Way  (2nd set of lights on Elwood) and continue North (turning to the West) on the Elwood  Drive extension. This turns into Pammel Drive as you enter campus. There are intersections at Wallace Road and then at Stange Road. There is a three-way intersection at Bissell Road; turn left (South) on Bissell road. The visitor parking lot is immediately to your left (East).  Atanasoff Hall is to the south east of the Armory parking lot.

Lodging

There are many different type of accommodations available in Ames. The Iowa State Memorial Union is located on campus and has convenient parking and dining facilities. Their web page is www.public.iastate.edu/~mu_info/mu.html and specific room and rate information can be found at  www.public.iastate.edu/~mu_info/lodging.html   Other facilities in Ames include:

See www.amesev.net/hotels.htm for more information on all Ames lodging.

Things to do in Ames

No matter what time of the year you plan to visit Ames, there are always plenty of outdoor and indoor activities from rock concerts to ballet, there are always fun and unusual things to do.   Have a look at the links below.

Ames Weather