Experiencing “Iowa Nice” through the ‘Tour de Ames’

For the last three seasons, we’ve traveled to at least one road game a year with the goal of learning more about how fans in other parts of the country spend their Saturdays watching college football and cheering on their team. These trips have been increasingly more fascinating since Arizona’s transition to the Big 12 in 2024, allowing us to explore the Midwest, a new part of the country for us, as well as the Big 12, a refreshing change from the energy surrounding a number of programs in the Pac-12. This past weekend, we stepped foot in the state of Iowa for the first time. From the moment we landed is Des Moines, to the moment we returned to the airport, “Iowa Nice” was on full display as we experienced the sights and sounds of Cyclone Nation through our own ‘Tour de Ames.’

Before departing on our trip, we sent out a note on X (formerly Twitter) asking Iowa State for recommendations on places to visit, explore, and dine during our trip. The response was tremendous, with nearly 80 folks commenting with their thoughts, setting us up for an eventful weekend in Ames.

Upon arrival

We spent Friday night getting our bearings, exploring the athletic facilities, and enjoying some dinning at local hotbeds. Welch Ave. Station is located on Welch Ave. just steps away from campus, along with a number of other popular watering holes. The bar, which is located below street level, is exactly what you can expect from a college dive bar: an old wooden bar, carpeted floors, pool tables, dart boards, and a popcorn machine. Popular drinks include Ames Lager, a brew produced by West O Beer where proceeds benefit the “We Will Collective,” an NIL collective supporting Iowa State Athletics, and the Tailgate Red Lager made by the Iowa State Brew Lab.

But perhaps the most infamous part of this spot is not what’s on tap or being served up, but what’s in the bathroom. Hanging in the men’s restroom is a poster of Brooke Burke, former TV personality and model, that many fans joke needs to be on the National Register of Historical Places. This poster is so legendary that after we missed it on our first visit to Welch Ave. Station, Cyclone fans demanded we go back just to experience it in person, so naturally we did. The poster has been stolen and replaced more times than bartenders can remember, and is now bolted to the wall. While at Welch Ave. Station, locals welcomed us to their tables, inviting us to tailgates on Saturday, giving us recommendations about where to eat the next day, and sharing stories about the history of Cyclone Nation over the years.

From there, we made our way over to Hickory Park, one of the oldest restaurants in Ames, which has been serving up barbecue and other classic suppers since 1970. The restaurant has an old timey feel, with vintage signs and decorations coverage every square inch of the inside. While our onion rings and barbecue dinner plater, which included smoked beef, pork, and turkey, as well as mashed potatoes and corn were good, it was all about the desert. We ordered a tin roof sundae, which included vanilla ice cream, with hot fudge and peanuts, and of course, added peanut butter sauce on top. Yum!

But it was the service that stood out above the rest. Everyone, from the hostess, to our server, to the manger, who checked on us periodically to see how the food was tasting, were all incredibly kind and attentive. They made us feel welcomed, shared favorites off the menu, and were never gone for than a minute or two at a time.

Fueling up for GAME DAY

Saturday morning was just as busy as any other part of game day. Our morning began at 7 AM with a quick stop at Tip Top Lounge, another local watering hole known for libations and chili. Yes, even at 7 AM, you can get a bowl of pipping hot chili, so naturally, we did. The bar is small, simple, and takes cash only, but perfectly encapsulates what Ames, Iowa and Iowa State fans are all about; kindness, hospitality, and enjoying the little things in life. In fact, after leaving, we met back up with one of the patrons, Kevin, who shared a special Ames Lager made with a limited release can for Iowa State’s Week 0 in Dublin, Ireland against Kansas State.

We then went and got breakfast at the Filling Station, a gas station expanded to include a full kitchen and bakery. Between bites of hash browns and bacon, we were greeted by warm, gentle folks who asked us questions and were curious about our journey.

Then it was time to explore campus. While we still personally think Arizona’s campus is the prettiest in the nation, this was well worth the time. The Campanile is majestic, towering over Central Campus, a long stretch of grass and trees similar to the UA mall, while keeping guard on Cyclone Nation. Other highlights of campus included the memorial to Jack Trice, the first African-American athlete for Iowa State, who tragically died during a football game, the water tower, and Catt Hall.

An unrivaled tailgating experience

Iowa State is home to one of the best, if not, the best tailgating experience we have ever seen. Fans covered miles of parking lots, setting up easy ups, barbecues, coolers, and more to pregame and get ready to watch their Cyclones. The energy was infectious, but it was the hospitality the blew us away. One fan, a local soybean and corn farmer, invited us to his tailgate in the RV Lot, which includes 337 locations for fans to park RVs, camp, and making the most out of a game day weekend, starting on Friday.

We chatted about his game day rituals, which include getting to the lot as soon as it opens, sometimes as early as 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning on Saturdays, balancing his fall harvest with football season, and sharing this experience with his kids and family. He explained that he often works extra throughout the work harvesting soybeans in the fall, spends all day in Ames on Saturday, then is at church on Sunday morning before returning to the fields on Sunday afternoon to continue working his farm.

It’s tough, honest work, but is worth every second for him, if it means he can enjoy Cyclone football on Saturdays.

The Cyclone Marching Band also hosts the “Step Show” before every home game, where the 360-member band gathers on the steps of the ISU Alumni Center for a pregame performance featuring the color guard, drum line, and pregame and halftime musical selections by the band.

“Iowa Nice”

While Arizona did not steal a victory from the home town team, this trip was a win for us. Saturday was a humbling reminder for us just how seriously the Big 12 takes its football and the game day experience as a whole, but it was also a great opportunity to connect and make some wonderful memories with genuine, down-to-earth people. Iowa State fans welcomed us with open arms and made us instantly feel like part of the family, even though we were dressed in red, white, and blue.

It is that sentiment right there that reassures us that Arizona belongs in the Big 12 Conference. While the tailgating scene and overall support for Wildcat football has some room for improvement, Tucson is a caring, nurturing city, and its residence will undoubtedly take care of Big 12 visitors, just as Ames did for us this past weekend, because we are all “Greater than 16.”

If you haven’t already, visit AZ Band Cat Sports on X to see some highlights from our trip, as well as enjoy interactions with Iowa State fans, who were nothing short of an absolute pleasure.