When planning a night out with your friends, it’s important that you take into consideration how you are getting to and from the bars. Not only is parking on Main Street and in Campustown limited, but drinking and driving is not recommended and will cause more trouble than it’s worth.

Taxi

If you need to go across town, calling a taxi is a good way to get there. Ames Taxi — 515-232-1343 — provides service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and charges roughly $2 per mile. Make sure to have cash on hand when your taxi arrives.

Moonlight Express

Moonlight Express is a service provided by CyRide during the fall and spring semesters. Moonlight Express runs from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. To schedule a ride, call 515-292-1100 after 10:15 p.m. CyRide will tell you the stop that is nearest to you or send a minibus if you’re not near a stop. The schedule and maps for the Moonlight Express routes can be found at cyride.com under the Schedules tab.

Below are the times during which the Moonlight Express does not operate:

• Friday/Saturday before and after Thanksgiving in November

• Friday/Saturday of Finals Week in December

• Friday/Saturday in January before classes start for spring

• Friday/Saturday before and after Spring Break in March

• Friday/Saturday of Easter weekend in April

• Friday/Saturday of Finals Week in May

• Summer

Designated Driver

Using a designated driver is a good way to get to your destination with someone you trust, though it probably won’t be an exciting night for the designated driver. Make sure to compensate them with nonalcoholic beverages, food or gas money. If you don’t have someone to go to the bar with you, find someone who doesn’t mind you waking them up at 2 a.m. Another way to compensate your designated driver is to be his or hers on another night.

Walking

Although walking is an obvious choice, you need to be careful with this method. If you’ve consumed too much alcohol or are by yourself, walking home may not be the safest option.

Some things to keep in mind when walking home from the bars include:

• Walk in well-lit places as much as possible.

• Don’t walk home if you’re too drunk.

• Be aware of your surroundings.

• Don’t go home with or get a ride from someone you don’t know.

• Have a friend with whom to walk home.

Geoff Huff, Ames Police commander, said the police won’t arrest you if you’re tipsy and walking home. However, if you’re too drunk to make it home or doing something you shouldn’t be, such as vandalizing things, you will get stopped. 

Huff also said it’s alright to have fun and have a good time but to be responsible when doing so. He suggested refusing drinks from someone you don’t know or trust.