Entire home

Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center

Exceptional

2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 10

Popular amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space

Explore the area

Ames, IA

Place, Reiman Gardens
‪5 min walk‬
Place, Stephens Auditorium
‪12 min walk‬
Place, Iowa State University
‪16 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Boring? Nah, just normal.

1 King Bed

Living Room 1

1 King Bed

Living Room 2

1 Single Futon

Nerd Nest

1 Queen Bed

Office 1

1 Queen Bed

Office 2

1 Single Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

3/4 Bath

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Split full bath (1 of 2)

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Shampoo

Split full bath (2 of 2)

Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Separate dining area

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center

Your private Cyclone shelter.

Next door to the ISU Stadium you'll find the perfect place to shelter on game days or during special events held at the Iowa State Center. Enjoy your evening, then walk home and stay the night in our one-of-a-kind property full of personality and artful design.

**Early check-in is available to accommodate game times, just ask.**

Parking:
One space in garage
Driveway parking for 6+ vehicles, depending on size--and skill ;-)

Sleeping accommodations:
Upstairs-
King bed
Queen bed
Child loft bed

Downstairs-
Short king bed (two twins, one frame) Queen bed
Twin daybed
Single pull-out bed

Baths:
One "split" full bath upstairs -which functions like two (designed in 1951 by an ISU Home Ec instructor who was ahead of her time!):
--first room: tub/shower and sink
--second room: toilet and sink
--both rooms open into a small hallway with a linen cabinet area.
One 3/4 bath downstairs (shower/toilet/sink)

Tech/Entertainment:
Fiber-optic Wi-fi for excellent streaming even on game day
45" wall mounted smart TV upstairs
32" mobile/cart smart TV to be positioned by guest; not weatherproof, but may be used on the patio in good weather.
50" TV with Roku downstairs
Whole house speaker system (connect with bluetooth)

Fully stocked kitchen featuring:
-Oversized refrigerator and freezer
-48" gas range with six-burners, double oven, and griddle
-Behemoth main sink (potentially an extra bath)
-Prep sink
-Three drawer-style dishwashers
-K-cup maker and complimentary coffee assortment
-Roaster oven (18 quart)
-Instant pot (8 quart)
-Drinking fountains upstairs and downstairs
-Two outdoor five-burner propane grills

Multiple conversation/activity areas:
-Upstairs living room with full-wall windows to view patio and garden
-Downstairs open/loft style space has a living room area and four additional conversation/activity areas
-TV areas upstairs and downstairs
-Two game/activity areas stocked with puzzles and board games
-Dining room
-Outdoor dining area
-Two patios featuring four separate conversation settings
-Fire pit seating
-Garden seating
-Outdoor activities (swing set, corn hole, chess, yard darts)
-Kid’s bedroom has built in play features
Learn more at stadiumshadows.com

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Similar properties

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 40

Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Message host before booking for children under 6.

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings

Host's express permission required for events.

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Guest must provide photo ID and sign short term Rental Agreement via Docusign (generic version is posted on VRBO).

Occupancy, use, and fire and safety rules are listed in Rental Agreement.

ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING. Automatic $3,000 fee for smoking in or on property. No smoking inside. No smoking outside. No smokers in rental party.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 2450786vb

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

Parties and events (including family gatherings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 20

Note from host: Host's express permission required for events.

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Ames

Ames is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Christiansen Forest Reserve and Wilson Farm Prairie, while Stephens Auditorium and Brunnier Art Museum are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Furman Aquatic Center, or check out an event or a game at Hilton Coliseum. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like cycling.

View more Holiday homes in Ames

Ames, IA

What's nearby

Reiman Gardens - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
Stephens Auditorium - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
Iowa State Center - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
Iowa State University - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
Hilton Coliseum - 16 min walk - 1.4 km

Getting around

Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

‪Welch Ave. Station - ‬19 min walk
‪Blaze Pizza - ‬19 min walk
‪Starbucks - ‬17 min walk
‪Pizza Pit - ‬19 min walk
‪Stomping Grounds Cafe - ‬18 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center?

As of 10 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center on 4 Jun, 2026 start from S$414, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center located?

This family-friendly Ames holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Reiman Gardens and Iowa State University. Stephens Auditorium and Brunnier Art Museum are also within 15 minutes.

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth W.

3 Aug, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay!

We greatly enjoyed our stay here and look forward to returning again soon.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angie R.

9 Nov, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location for game day. Short walk to our tailgate spot D 5. The house had everything we needed. It was clean and very accommodating for 10 of us. Host was very helpful. I would stay there again.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rod J.

28 Sept, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent ! Exactly as described & we will be back in the future

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jordan H.

3 Sept, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay, awesome locations

Rented this place instead of a hotel for the week and couldn't have asked for better accommodations.

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anne M.

15 Sept, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Special place, perfect location!

Owner is super easy to work with. We had a wonderful time and are grateful to have had such a comfortable and well-appointed place to stay!

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian S.

24 Nov, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic Place to Stay & Play!

With a family of 6, traditional hotel travel is almost out of the question. VRBO is where it's at, and this place has it. It was the perfect place to celebrate all-state music concert with family and both sets of grandparents. Would definitely do it again!

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristi B.

12 Aug, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous home & owner

This is a beautiful home with such great architectural interest… almost a Frank Lloyd Wright-like home out of the 50s with unique appliances, backyard, etc. Jacqui, the owner, was great to work with & flexible with our changing plans. We had to change our check out date & add a person. Would highly recommend paying extra for the kids’ playroom. My 3-year-old granddaughter called it the Magic Room, but maybe best for kids a little older.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jesse H.

13 Jul, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ames visit

We moved from Ames 5 years ago and came back to see friends and family. This was a great house for the us to be able to relax and enjoy Ames. Excellent location and great neighborhood

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ben N.

17 Feb, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Such a unique and beautiful home with phenomenal hosts

The design of the home is amazing. It has retro and current styling throughout. All the amenities are available and perfect. Plenty of beds to accommodate the 7 guests in our stay and the hosts are so easy to work with.

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

David R.

19 Nov, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family pre-game spot

My family and a few others with young kids spent the day here before a night football game. We had a great time cooking and grilling and really enjoyed the unique decor of the house. We were able to get about 6 cars in the driveway with some squeezing.

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jane b.

12 May, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Graduation

Fun and unique house. We really enjoyed the yard and patio!

Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

5 Aug, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stayed for track meet

Super neat setup and the owner was awesome to work with

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy P.

19 Nov, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful!

Great time! Great location! Clean, comfortable. If Texas plays in Ames again, this is where we will stay. ☺️

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

kristin w.

12 Jun, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ames, IA

Beautiful house with lots of amenities. The kitchen was gorgeous and the home is full of space and comfy beds. Highly recommend.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

3 Aug, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun family home.

This home is really nice. Great home for my family. Nice kitchen and open to the living room so we were able to cook and socialize. There were lots of games to play and the yard is really peaceful. I would recommend this home to anyone.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cathy S.

17 Dec, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great clean large home

We had a nice time enjoying the openness of the home. Everything was very clean and well maintained. Easy to talk with the host when I needed an answer to something

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jody B.

1 May, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Moms visiting Sons

This is our second year staying at this property and we plan to continue staying at this property annually. EVERYTHING is great about this property! It has everything needed in the kitchen, plus outdoor seating and firepit to enjoy during our mother/son weekend. We have really enjoyed our time at this house.

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tanya H.

28 May, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous Experience

The house was beautiful - and the front garden. Walking distance to coffee and steps to the university. Great spot to reconnect with family. The kitchen is dreamy for entertaining.

Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

John K.

8 Aug, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quick Visit before classes started

We can't say enough nice things about the property and owner. The house was so unique and very cozy. The neighborhood was quiet and the perfect place for a quick visit with our Cyclone before classes started. Close to everything also! And Jacqui was amazing to work with!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rod B.

26 Dec, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place for families right on campus!

We celebrated our daughter's graduation and Christmas with family that is spread across three states. The home is right across the street from all the Iowa State sports venues and the facilities are ready-made for large group gatherings. The kitchen was more than adequately equipped to support our group resembling more of a commercial operation than residential. Plus the large open space was perfect for unwrapping gifts and playing games. We had seven stay overnight with plenty of room for more. Beds were comfortable and we loved the retro look / feel of the decor. We'll stay here again in the future!

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lynn D.

3 Sept, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family reunion & birthday

Our family had a wonderful 4 day stay at the Stadium Shadows home. Everything was as advertised on the website. The open floor plan made it an excellent social setting. The home is very well organized. The kitchen is stocked with a large amount of dinnerware, utensils, etc. and lots of incidentals in the pantry to help with meal prep if needed. We give it a five star rating and would not hesitate to book with Jacqui again!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly C.

28 May, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Strait facts (came for Stapleton/Strait concert)

Our stay was fantastic! The ease of getting into the house was great. Be sure to download the app before arriving! The space we had was incredible! There were 4 of us…we each had our own space and bed. Love the windows to the backyard, so peaceful to see every morning while drinking coffee. And, wow, was the walk to the Jack Trice stadium super simple!! We walked the path and were there in 2mins. Thank you Jacqui! We made good memories!

Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amanda P.

24 May, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

COULDN’T HAVE BEEN BETTER

This property is EVERYTHING it is described to be and so much more. So clean, supplied, and unique! Jacqui is an amazing host. She is so responsive and informative. The house has an amazing history of all the unique items and decorations. It is not far from the campus. Definitely walking distance. I really just can NOT say enough positive praises for this house and host. ❤️😁

Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

David & E.

27 May, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best experience we have had

This is an amazing property. Our kids loved the swings and the playroom. The kitchen is amazing with very high end appliances. There was a lot of thoughtfulness and character in the entire setup of the home. The gardens outside were beautiful and it is very short distance to the Reiman Gardens which is a must stop during your stay. The listing manager was very helpful and friendly and checked in via text to see if there was anything she could offer to make our stay better. We have stayed at many VRBO's. This was our best overall experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Ames.

Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dale A.

2 Aug, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Perfect Place for a Reunion

The house is a wonderful venue for a family or group of friends to stay. Kitchen is large and open to a comfortable living space with large windows looking out to a patio with a grill, patio furniture and a table. The lawn was well groomed and several large trees (including a beautiful sycamore tree) shade most of back yard. Six of us stayed in the house, but we used the venue for our friends and family to gather for meals and conversation. Kids could play on the patio, swing set or down in the lower level for board games. Decor is unique. My wife was ready to move back to Ames if she could live in this house :). Host was friendly and most helpful in the few instances we needed her. Highly recommend.

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

About the host

Hosted by Jacqui

We are only the third owners of this wonderful home. The first were Dr. George and Evelyn Beal, of ISU fame. George was a noted professor of Sociology and Evelyn was in the Home Economics department. She designed the home which was built in 1951. They lived here until 1977, and we bought it from the second owners in 2000. We have loved this house, this neighborhood, and this community. We no longer work in Ames, but commute a rather long distance because we love this place so much!

Why they chose this property

No doubt you are looking at our property because of it's amazing location: next door to ALL the action! Jack Trice Stadium and Reiman Gardens are right across the street; Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State Center, CY Stephens, and ISU campus are all just a very short walk. ISU Research park, shopping and dining are a few minutes drive or a short bike ride on the bike path. And we are about as close as it gets to the 30. However, we think after staying in our home, you will agree that it has a lot more to offer than just a fantastic location.

What makes this property unique

Our home is artfully designed, with form and function equally considered. We fully remodeled the home 13 years ago, preserving the best of the original design. Look for beautiful sight lines and themes throughout the house and yard. We think you will be delighted. Also watch for relics from ISU which have been repurposed and given new life--either as decor or integrated into the design. (P.S. There's a "hidden Mickey" in the kitchen for the kids.)

You will find our floor plan open, but not empty; the design modern, but not cold. We love the simplicity of clean lines, and the complexity of merging form and function. We hope you will enjoy our efforts!

Languages:

English

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Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center

Photo gallery for Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center

Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Boring? Nah, just normal.

Living Room 1

Living Room 2

Nerd Nest

Office 1

Office 2

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

3/4 Bath

Split full bath (1 of 2)

Split full bath (2 of 2)

Spaces

About this property

Right in Cy's Backyard: A few steps from Hilton Coliseum and Iowa State Center

Add dates for prices

Have a question?

Similar properties

3 bed/2 bath-Walk to Jack Trice Stadium

House Rules

Children

Events

Pets

Smoking

Important information

You need to know

About the area

Ames

What's nearby

Getting around

Restaurants

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

Exceptional

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth W.

Great place to stay!

Elizabeth W.

10/10 Excellent

Angie R.

Angie R.

10/10 Excellent

Rod J.

Rod J.

10/10 Excellent

Jordan H.

Great stay, awesome locations

Jordan H.

10/10 Excellent

Anne M.

Special place, perfect location!

Anne M.

10/10 Excellent

Brian S.

Fantastic Place to Stay & Play!

Brian S.

10/10 Excellent

Kristi B.

Fabulous home & owner

Kristi B.

10/10 Excellent

Jesse H.

Ames visit

Jesse H.

10/10 Excellent

Ben N.

Such a unique and beautiful home with phenomenal hosts

Ben N.

10/10 Excellent