With the majority of students leaving Ames for break, students staying in Ames might wonder what their options are for celebrating Thanksgiving.

Many students are not able to travel back home over Fall Break due to a variety of factors including work, distance or money. These students have limited options to celebrate Thanksgiving while on campus. 

Ian McBrayer, sophomore in interdisciplinary studies, is staying in Ames to keep working. 

McBrayer, who is staying in Ames all week except for Thanksgiving Day, said his least favorite part about break is the lack of people in Ames. 

“There is no one here, and it gets boring staying alone,” McBrayer said.

McBrayer said he is thankful that he is able to go home for Thanksgiving Day to see his friends and family.  

Sahid Taha, junior in electrical engineering, is also staying in Ames over Fall Break.   

Taha said being alone over break is relaxing and gives him a lot of time to study for finals.  

“There [are] no distractions, just you and school,” Taha said.  “I love being away from all the stress.”

Taha meets with his friends on Thanksgiving Day to eat and celebrate their own Thanksgiving.   

Taha and McBrayer said they both look forward to a relaxing break from classes.  

Students who live in on-campus housing are able to stay in their residence hall over the break. They will have regular access to their own hall, said David Garsow, residence life coordinator for the Department of Residence.

Unlike the residence halls, ISU Dining will be closed most of Fall Break.

According to ISU Dining’s website, the dining centers will be closed from Saturday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Dec. 1. 

Although the dining centers will be closed, students will access to food while on campus. ISU Dining is keeping Bookends Café open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Memorial Union Market and Café will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. These cafes will be open Monday, Nov. 25 through Wednesday, Nov. 27. 

The dining centers as well as many other dining locations, including Clyde’s and Hawthorne, will reopen on the Sunday, Dec. 1 in the evening as students are coming back to Ames from break, according to ISU Dining’s website. 

All the dining centers served a Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday, Nov. 20 to giving all students a Thanksgiving meal before they leave for break and students staying in Ames a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

“All of the meals follow a similar menu of turkey, potatoes, vegetables, bread and dessert,” said Brittney Rutherford, marketing coordinator for ISU Dining.

On Thursday, Nov. 21, Iowa State dining also offered a Thanksgiving meal at the Memorial Union and the Dish.

According to Iowa State’s Recreational Services webpage, students will be able to access State gym over break except for Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 27. Lied Recreation Athletic Center will be open the duration of the break, except for Thanksgiving Day.