The Central Hearth: Cozy Family Home. Sleeps 8. Real wood burning fireplace!

Welcome to the Central Hearth! Your cozy home base in Ames for any season!

Whether you're visiting ISU for winter basketball, relocating to the area, working remotely, or simply escaping for a family getaway, our spacious home offers year-round comfort with brand new 2025 HVAC, a wood-burning fireplace, and everything you need to feel at home.

Just 7 minutes from Iowa State campus and perfectly positioned for exploring Ames' year-round attractions. Take Cyride's green route, just 1/2 block away, and enjoy ISU events while skipping the campus parking stress! Or stay in with family-friendly board games, smart tv's with apps and warm drinks all around!

Why guests love us:
✓ Sleeps 8 comfortably
✓ Fenced backyard playground
✓ Full kitchen saves you $$
✓ 3 separate living spaces
✓ wood burning fireplace
✓ kids indoor play area
✓ high speed 1G wifi


The space
Our home is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch with finished basement in a quiet family friendly central location. Just minutes to anywhere!

Our home includes many upgrades like:
-front door keyless entry
-50 in smart TVs on the main and lower levels
-fully equipped kitchen with new small appliances
-high-speed 1G wifi
-designated workspace with a desk and comfy office chair
-family dining room for 6 with bar stools to accomodate up to 8.
- new HVAC system installed in 2025.

All 3 bedrooms have queen size memory foam or hybrid matresses and sleep 2 people. Hygenic zippered mattress covers are provided on all beds.

A fold out couch and bunk beds for the kids are also available in the lower level with complete bedding for all beds. Fold-out sleeps 1 adult or 2 small children. Bunk beds are twin size and sleep 1 person each.

Full bathroom on the main floor and 3/4 bath with shower on the lower level.

There are 3 spacious living spaces for everyone to spread out! 50 inch TVs have many common apps preinstalled.

Browse the books in the front library room and then cozy up in the den in front of the wood-burning fireplace! Starter pack of firewood and fire-starter provided.

Extra bedding and toiletries provided.

Plan a delicious family meal in the full-sized kitchen which is fully equipped with:
-multiple sizes of pots and pans
-cookie sheets
-cocktail making supplies
-coffee making supplies
-charcuterie board and knives
-various kitchen utensils
-microwave
-electric stove
-side-by side refrigerator
-large farmhouse sink
-crockpot
-blender
-toaster
-electric kettle
-coffee grinder
-chemex
-french press
-12 cup coffeepot
-drinking glasses
-wine and whiskey glasses
-coffee mugs
-dining service for 8 adults
-divided plastic plates and cups for children
-paper plates and plasticware

Enjoy a delicious cup of fresh brewed coffee, however you like it, whole bean or ground, your choice!

Even the kids will enjoy their stay! The basement has a play area complete with toys, board games and children's books!

The shaded fully-fenced backyard has playground equipment with swings, climber, playhouse and a slide!
A local elementary school is also a short 4-block walk west with 2 seperate playgrounds, available after school hours or anytime in the summer!

Enjoy the patio seating for 8 while the kids play!

Safety features include:
-smoke detectors
-carbon dioxide detector
-water leak alarms
-first aid kit in the main level bathroom
-fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink

Do not hesitate to ask for anything else you may need during your stay!

Guest access
Guests have access to the entire home, front and back yards and driveway during their stay. Additional parking is available on the street. Driveway can accomodate 2-3 vehicles end to end.

The unattached garage is not available to guests.

Please use the provided code at the front door upon arrival.

Other things to note:
There is no smoking allowed in or on our property.

Pets are not allowed. For allergy disclosures, we did own a dog when this was our family home, but we do not allow guests to bring pets onto the property.