Ames is a city that hums with energy — the red‑and‑gold heartbeat of Iowa State University, the tree‑lined streets filled with students on bikes, the scent of cornfields drifting in from the edges of town, and the easy friendliness that defines the Midwest at its best. It’s a place where science labs sit beside coffee shops, where football Saturdays feel like festivals, and where warm summer evenings practically demand a cold dessert.

Ice cream in Ames reflects that spirit. It’s nostalgic, generous, sometimes farm‑fresh, sometimes wildly indulgent, and always tied to the city’s love of community, comfort, and celebration. This guide explores five essential Ames stops that reveal the city’s sweet personality — collegiate, warm, and full of Iowa charm.

1. The Creamery at Iowa State — Ames

The Creamery is Ames’ crown jewel — a student‑run, university‑powered ice‑cream shop inside the Food Sciences Building, where flavours are crafted with scientific precision and Iowa dairy pride. The ice cream is dense, silky, and deeply flavourful, with creations like Campanile Kiss, Legacy, and Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake.

The atmosphere is bright and academic, with students grabbing scoops between classes and families visiting during campus tours. It feels like a celebration of both agriculture and innovation — a perfect reflection of Iowa State itself.

The Creamery is Ames at its most iconic — local, clever, and full of Cyclone spirit.

2. Cold Stone Creamery — Ames

Cold Stone in Ames is a lively, student‑friendly spot where mix‑ins clatter across the marble slab and the line often includes ISU students, families from nearby neighbourhoods, and locals escaping the summer heat. It’s theatrical, indulgent, and endlessly customizable.

The ice cream is rich and creamy, and the mix‑in process adds a sense of fun that appeals to all ages. The atmosphere is bright and energetic, with kids and college students alike watching wide‑eyed as their creations come together.

Cold Stone is Ames’ playful pulse — lively, social, and always ready for something sweet.

3. Dairy Queen — Ames

In Ames, Dairy Queen is a summer ritual — a place where soft‑serve cones, Blizzards, and dipped treats help locals cool down from warm prairie evenings. Families stop in after baseball games, students gather in the parking lot, and regulars know their favourite order by heart.

The atmosphere is cheerful and familiar, with the hum of conversation blending with the sound of blenders mixing Blizzards. It’s nostalgic, comforting, and deeply tied to the rhythm of Ames life.

Dairy Queen is the city’s everyday sweetness — simple, warm, and full of community spirit.

4. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers — Ames

Freddy’s brings classic Midwestern custard to Ames — thick, silky, and served at the perfect temperature. The concretes are dense, the sundaes indulgent, and the custard itself is rich enough to feel like a meal.

The atmosphere is retro‑modern, with families filling the booths and students grabbing custard after late‑night study sessions. The Signature Turtle Sundae — hot fudge, caramel, pecans — is especially beloved.

Freddy’s is Ames’ nostalgic heart — creamy, comforting, and full of Midwest charm.

5. YumEarth Frozen Yogurt (served locally) — Ames

While Ames doesn’t have a huge fro‑yo scene, several cafés and dessert shops serve rotating selections of YumEarth frozen yogurt — tart, refreshing, and perfect for warm Iowa afternoons. The flavours lean fruity and light, offering a breezy alternative to the city’s richer scoops.

The atmosphere varies by location, but the experience is always the same — a cool, refreshing treat that fits perfectly into Ames’ active, outdoorsy rhythm.

YumEarth represents Ames’ lighter side — bright, simple, and quietly satisfying.