Ames is the home of Iowa State University, located approximately half an hour north of Des Moines, Iowa. The city was originally founded in 1864, named for Massachusetts Congressman Oakes Ames, and has been named as one of America's best places to live by CNNMoney. A wide variety of public visitor attractions are offered on the Iowa State campus, including the 17-acre Reiman Gardens botanical garden facility, the Brunnier Art Museum, and the Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum, which present university sporting events. Other attractions include the Octagon Center for the Arts, which presents art exhibitions and workshops and hosts the city's annual Octagon Arts Festival, and the Old Town Historic District, which preserves a large population of Victorian-era homes and businesses. Public parks abound throughout the region, including Moore Memorial Park, Brookside Park, and Ada Hayden Heritage Park.

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