Ames, Iowa
Anju and Kashif’s Baby Shower Weekend
Thank you for coming to Ames to celebrate with us. This page has everything you need for the weekend, plus a few of our favorite spots to explore together. We cannot wait to see you all!
Share the memories
Our shared photo album
Drop your photos into our album so we can all relive the weekend together.
Album link coming soon!Weekend schedule
Friday
September 4Afternoon
Rayani Arrivals
Mom, Samir, Nihana, and Rumi fly into Des Moines (DSM), about an hour's drive from Ames. Get ready for a wonderful few days together 🤍
5:00 PM
Steak Friyay at Cornbred
Kick off the weekend with steak night at Cornbred, Kashif's favorite Friday night ritual in Ames. Dinner service starts at 5, and they only make a limited number of steaks, so let's get there early!
Saturday
September 5Morning
Virani Arrivals
Khala Shama, Sherali Uncle, Ahad, and Zayd fly into Des Moines (DSM) today, about an hour's drive from Ames. And with that, the whole crew is together 🤍
11:30 AM
Welcome lunch at Cornbred
The place Kashif has been raving about for years (his daily lunch spot in Ames!), and we are finally all going together. It sits in a beautifully renovated historic train depot on Main Street. Come hungry, and be prepared for the meat sweats.
After lunch
Coffee & dessert
A quick popover for coffee and dessert post-lunch, right on Main Street a few blocks from Cornbred. Van Hemert's is a longtime family-run Dutch bakery with pastries, cookies, donuts, fritters, and more (Publix Cookie Boyz, this one's for you). Morning Bell is around the corner, roasts its coffee in house, and is one of Kashif's go-to spots. The beans are 👌.
Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery, Ames (opens in new tab) · Morning Bell Coffee, Ames (opens in new tab)
Late afternoon
Rest & recharge
Relax and recharge after a long morning.
Evening
Welcome dinner
Dinner at India Palace (timing to come).
After dinner
Dessert & games
Dessert, games and family time at the Somani house. Expect some canasta
Sunday
September 612:00 PM
Family brunch at Cornbred
Back to Cornbred, this time for their special Sunday brunch menu. A different spread from Saturday, so we have to go back. There's also a HUMONGOUS cinnamon roll on the menu; Ahad, you'll have to tell us how it stacks up against Knaus Berry Farm.
5:00 PM
Baby shower
Join us at the Gateway Hotel to celebrate together. Please be there by 5:00 sharp for family photos.
Monday
September 7Morning
Brunch
Casual brunch at the Somani house before we all head out.
Late morning
Departures
The drive back to Des Moines (DSM) takes about an hour, so leave a little extra time if you are returning a rental car at the airport. Be sure to grab some Hy-Vee donuts for the journey home. Safe travels, and thank you for celebrating with us.
Things to do
Food & coffee
Hy-Vee donuts (opens in new tab)
It is no Publix, but Hy-Vee is a solid grocery store with an excellent bakery. Skip the cookies and go straight for the donuts and cakes. Samir and Nihana, your favorites are the go-tos here: raised chocolate + blueberry cake.
Piece & Freedom Bakery (opens in new tab)
Another popular bakery in town, and the sourdough looks fantastic. Mom and Khala Shama, this one is for you. Closed Mondays, so aim for Sunday.
Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery (opens in new tab)
A longtime family-run Dutch bakery with a proper spread: Dutch Letters, almond horns, windmills, butter croissants, and fresh loaves, plus cookies, donuts, apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, and pies. Heads up on the hours: open Saturday 6am–5pm and closed Sunday and Monday.
Morning Bell Coffee (opens in new tab)
Great coffee, roasted in house, in a cozy spot on Main Street just a few blocks from Cornbred.
Iowa State campus
The Creamery (opens in new tab)
Good, creamy ice cream made right on campus. Just the place for all that ice cream money from . Open 12–5pm but closed Sundays, so try to go Saturday if you can.
Reiman Gardens (opens in new tab)
Iowa State's 17-acre gardens, home to a famously giant garden gnome and a tropical butterfly wing.
Iowa State University (opens in new tab)
The heart of Ames, and where Arun Uncle is Senior Associate Dean of Engineering. Take a stroll to see the Campanile bell tower and Lake LaVerne with its two swans.
Outdoors
Moore Memorial Park (opens in new tab)
A quiet, wooded park near Anju's childhood home, and a place close to our hearts: it is where Kashif proposed to Anju (she said yes). 💍
Ada Hayden Heritage Park (opens in new tab)
A scenic 430-acre park with two lakes and easy paved loops. A lovely place to stretch your legs and take in some fresh air.
Veenker driving range (opens in new tab)
The driving range at Veenker Memorial, Iowa State's scenic golf course, for anyone who feels like swinging a few.
Around town
Downtown Main Street (opens in new tab)
A walkable stretch of locally owned shops, cafes, and galleries. A nice place to wander.
Spot Cy around town (opens in new tab)
Iowa State's mascot, Cy, hides all over Ames as ~27 themed statues, each painted to match its spot. Snap a photo and share if you spot one!
Ames History Museum (opens in new tab)
A small, friendly museum on the story of Ames and Iowa State.
North Grand Cinema (opens in new tab)
A family-owned local theater with comfy recliner seats. Nihana, this one is for the cinephile in you.
Des Moines
Pappajohn Sculpture Park (opens in new tab)
An outdoor sculpture park in downtown Des Moines. Worth a wander if you find yourself near the airport.
Iowa State Capitol (opens in new tab)
Iowa's gold-domed state capitol in Des Moines.
Ankeny
Red Chillez (opens in new tab)
Indian food down in Ankeny, right on the way to DSM. The butter chicken is delicious, and Sherali Uncle, the tandoori meats have your name on them.
Costco (opens in new tab)
This would have been an obligatory stop for Dad. One of the bigger Costcos we have ever been to, over in Ankeny.
A few helpful details
- Weather
- Warm and summery this weekend: daytime highs around 90° (Friday may push into the mid-90s), cooling to the low 70s overnight. Each day carries a slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm, so pack light, breathable clothes and maybe a small umbrella.
- Accommodations
- The Gateway Hotel in Ames (also where the Sunday evening event is held).
- Nearest airport
- Des Moines International (DSM) is about an hour's drive south of Ames.
- Getting around
- Ames is cozy and easy to get around, and everything is a short drive apart. We recommend a rental car from DSM for convenience, but Uber and Lyft are available too.
- Attire
- Casual and comfortable! For Sunday night specifically, the dress code is Desi cocktail: pants and shirts with optional jackets for men, and Desi attire for women.
