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A-Frame Getaway

Family weekends in Ames

Where to stay for graduation and move-in weekends

Graduation and move-in are the weekends when everyone visits Ames at once. Iowa State's own advice is to book lodging well ahead, because the hotels fill. The A-frame keeps your whole family under one roof, about ten minutes from campus.

Big weekends, booked-up hotels

Graduation and move-in bring a wave of families to Ames on the same few dates, and lodging goes quickly. Iowa State tells visitors plainly to reserve well in advance, because area hotels are usually booked on graduation weekend, and to expect restaurants to be busy too.

When rooms do open up, a family often ends up splitting across two or three of them at holiday-weekend rates. The A-frame is one house that keeps everyone together, on a private wooded acre about ten minutes from campus.

Why families book the house

  • Everyone under one roof

    Three bedrooms, each with a king bed, plus a sofa bed in the loft. It sleeps six, so parents, grandparents, and siblings can share one place instead of scattering across hotel rooms.

  • A kitchen for the celebration

    Restaurants fill up fast on graduation weekend. The full kitchen and dining table make it easy to host a celebration dinner or a relaxed breakfast at the house instead of fighting for a reservation.

  • About 10 minutes from campus

    Close enough for the ceremony, the residence halls, and campus photos, without staying in the middle of the crowd.

  • Self check-in, flexible arrivals

    A smart lock means family members arriving at different times can let themselves in without coordinating a handoff.

  • Room to spread out

    Long decks, a covered patio, and a hot tub give everyone somewhere to relax between events, plus free parking on the property for more than one vehicle.

For move-in weekend

Move-in is a long day of hauling boxes and getting a student settled. A whole house gives you space to stage everything, laundry for the first load of dorm bedding, and a calm home base a short drive from the residence halls when you need a break from the parking lots.

It also beats the on-campus guest option, which is a shared double room in a residence hall. The A-frame gives the family real beds, a kitchen, and some quiet at the end of the day.

For graduation weekend

Graduation is a fixed date that every family in your student's class is planning around, so the earlier you book, the better your options. As soon as the ceremony date is set, it is worth locking in a place to stay.

With the group together in one house, you can host the people who traveled in, take your time with photos, and celebrate on your own schedule rather than around a packed restaurant's.

Common questions

When should I book for graduation or move-in weekend?
As early as you can. Iowa State recommends reserving well in advance because Ames hotels are usually booked on graduation weekend, and a house that sleeps six tends to go first.
Can the whole family stay together?
Yes. It sleeps up to 6 across three king bedrooms plus a sofa bed in the loft, so a family can share one house instead of booking several hotel rooms.
How far is the house from campus?
About a 10-minute drive to Iowa State, the residence halls, and Jack Trice Stadium.
Can we host a graduation dinner at the house?
Yes. There's a full kitchen and a dining table, plus long decks and a covered patio, which helps when restaurants around Ames are booked solid on graduation weekend.

Keep reading

Book before the weekend fills

Graduation and move-in dates fill Ames fast. Once you know your weekend, reserve the A-frame and keep the whole family together.

See the full house