Some students may believe that looking for fun things to do on the weekends in Ames is quite the challenge if you’re not 21 or you choose not to drink. Grab a few friends and try out a few of these fun, exciting and safe ways to enjoy your weekends.

Bowling

This timeless activity is a good way to get a group of friends together, regardless of the group’s skill level. Show off with solid strikes or laugh with your friends while you try out the between-the-legs “granny bowl.”

The Underground at the Memorial Union is a bowling alley on campus that offers games for students for $2 before 5 p.m. and $2.75 after 5 p.m. Shoe rental is only $1, and the Underground also has nine pool tables and lots of arcade games.

“Generally, I think people drink because they’re bored, so [the Underground] is a good place to come and hang out and stay active,” said Adam Kenny, worker at the Underground and sophomore in environmental science.

He also said cosmic bowling on Friday and Saturday nights is one of the activities that attracts a lot of students.

Twentieth Century Bowling, 505 S. Duff Ave., offers games for $3 per person and shoe rental for $2.75. They also have a concession stand with drinks and food and several arcade games.

Nightlife

La Boheme International Bistro and Night Club, 2900 West St., is a melting pot for all ages, cultures and types of music. The World Beat dance nights are every Friday and Saturday, and everything from African to Mexican to Arabic music is played. Anyone who is 18 or older can enjoy this eclectic restaurant by day and dance club by night. Other attractions offered include poetry slams and open mic nights every Sunday.

Bali Satay House, 2424 Lincoln Way, is another fun hang out for people ages 18 and up. Also boasting a mix of different genres of music, this is a great place to expand your cultural horizons. Hip-hop dance nights are every Thursday and there are usually live bands every Friday and Saturday night. On the first Thursday of every month is the drag show, and they also occasionally have salsa and reggae nights.

“It’s a good place to hang out with friends – there’s a lot of space and live music is always a plus,” said Lindsay Cegner, waitress and bartender at Bali Satay. She said it’s a great place for students to go if they can’t or don’t want to drink, because it’s 18 to party and 21 to drink.

Outdoor fun

There are 33 parks in Ames, with 22 different bike trails and endless opportunities for fun, including hiking trails, tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball fields and much more. Here are the highlights of some of them to choose from for all of your outdoor activities:

Ada Hayden Heritage Park, 5205 Grand Ave. – This is the newest park in Ames and boasts hiking trails, a 130-acre lake with a boat ramp and fishing opportunities and hundreds of acres of prairie and wetlands.

Inis Grove Park, 2700 Duff Ave. – Here, you can get your exercise on the basketball and lighted tennis courts, or get a big group of friends together for a sand volleyball match. The park is 42 acres and also has hiking trails.

Brookside Park, 1325 6th St. – This park has many different covered shelters, grills, paved walking paths, horseshoe courts, sand volleyball, tennis and basketball courts. Brookside Park is located directly across the street from the skate park, so those interested in testing their skateboarding skills have a place to hang out as well.

Get a large group of friends together and throw a barbecue at one of the Ames parks. Practically any student could afford to pitch in and rent a shelter for only $11 per hour. However, you should plan ahead for bad weather.

People should realize that they’re open-air shelters so they are at the mercy of the weather, and to also remember that amplified music is not allowed, said Nancy Carroll, director of Ames Parks and Recreation. So if you’re looking to throw a low-key weekend barbecue with friends, one of the Ames parks is the perfect place. Call 239-5350 for shelter reservations.

Arts and crafts

Getting in touch with your creativity is a great way to spend time, whether you’re alone or with friends. There are several places in Ames to do so.

Kil’n Time Studio, 300 Main St. – This is a great place to go if you don’t know much about arts and crafts. They offer pottery painting for a total of about $15, and all you need to do is go in and they will show you everything you need to know. They also offer glass fusion to make dishes, picture frames or other objects for about $8. You can also make a mosaic out of wood and glass pieces for around $10. For parties of six or more people, they offer a discount, so grab some friends and head to downtown Ames to release some creativity.

“It’s just fun and it’s not too hard to do. It’s a really social occasion when big groups come in. We love having the college kids come in; it’s a lot of fun,” said Barb Sprague, artist at Kil’n Time Studio.

Coffee shop hop

Ready to get a caffeine buzz? It will help you do your homework and is legal compared to a buzz from alcohol for all of the underage students. Ames boasts many different coffee shops, each one with a unique ambiance. You don’t even have to like coffee to tour the many coffee shops of Ames – they all offer alternative beverages like smoothies or tea.

Stomping Grounds, 303 Welch Ave. #101 – Conspicuously located, most students have heard of this eclectic coffee shop through hearsay. The shop doesn’t have a sign outside announcing its name, but once you walk inside, the aromas will tell all. Many students flock to Stomping Grounds for the wireless Internet, specially prepared coffee and tea, artsy vibe and the occasional live band on a Friday or Saturday night.

Santa Fe Caf‚, 2518 Lincoln Way – The raw, modern look of this spacious coffee shop draws people from all walks of life. Whether you try the Snickers latte, check out the local artwork or stick around for a live band on a Friday night, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy at this trendy coffee shop.

Caf‚ Diem, 229 Main St. – This cozy coffee shop draws in many Ames locals and ISU students. Live music, fair trade coffee and local artwork are all part of what makes Caf‚ Diem unique. The atmosphere is rustic and personal. Many locals go to Caf‚ Diem because everyone knows their name and their coffee drink of choice.