Entry No. 8 — the Des Moines file — filed under: witchy
Ancient Ways
An eclectic 'ancient mysteries' shop on University Ave near Drake, open since 1997, packed with ethnic drums, books, music, herbs, incense, crystals, tarot and jewelry. Beyond the merch it hosts drum sessions and intuitive/metaphysical classes, giving it more of a longtime-community feel than a tourist boutique.
The story
Since 1997, Ancient Ways has occupied the same street-level storefront on University Avenue in Dogtown, sitting quietly just east of Drake University while the surrounding block has continuously reshuffled around it. It makes no attempt to look like a sleek, color-coordinated modern boutique. Instead, it operates as a dense, old-school occult supply shop stocked floor-to-ceiling with ethnic drums, loose herbs, incense, tarot decks, raw crystals, and esoteric literature.
Beyond the inventory, the shop functions as an informal clearinghouse for local practitioners and the curious. Rather than merely selling goods, the space hosts scheduled drum circles and intuitive metaphysical classes, giving this small college-adjacent shop the persistent atmosphere of a long-standing community anchor.
What it's like
Look for the shop on University Avenue roughly between 23rd and 25th Streets. Inside, the footprint is small and heavily aromatic, packed thick with shelves you'll want to take your time sifting through. Parallel street parking right on University is standard, and daytime walk-ins are easy for quiet browsing. If you're planning on an evening drum circle or class, check their schedule beforehand and ask if you need to reserve a spot, as physical space fills up quickly once the drums or folding chairs come out.
The move: Browse the curated clutter of drums and herbs, then come back for one of their drum circles or intuitive classes together for a hands-on, slightly trance-y night out.
📍 Before you go You'll find it as a street-level storefront on University Ave in the Drake neighborhood, right in the walkable Dogtown district just east of Drake University (roughly between 23rd and 25th). Street parking out front is the norm and walk-ins are welcome, so daytime through early evening is easiest for unhurried browsing. The drum circles and intuitive classes are scheduled evening events on a rotating calendar, so check ahead for the next one and ask whether you need to sign up rather than just dropping in. It's a small, longtime local shop rather than a big attraction, so pair it with the surrounding Dogtown coffee houses, cafes, and the Drake campus to round out the outing.
- 📍 Drake
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2420 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
Hours: Hours vary; verify before visiting
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Enchanted (Enchanted Mystical Boutique) — Compare Drake's longtime occult staple with Ingersoll's family-owned tarot boutique for a complete tour of Des Moines' metaphysical shops.
- Woodland Cemetery — City Receiving Vault & Baby Hill — Follow up your herb and tarot browsing with a quiet walk through Des Moines' oldest cemetery, located less than half a mile down the road.
- Inner Space — ZeroBody Dry Float & Salt Lounge — Pair an afternoon of sifting through incense and crystals with a dry-floating sensory reset just down Keosauqua Way.
Good to know
Where is Ancient Ways located?
It sits at 2420 University Ave in the Dogtown neighborhood, just east of Drake University between 23rd and 25th Streets.
What kind of items do they sell?
They carry ethnic drums, loose herbs, incense, crystals, tarot decks, esoteric books, music, and jewelry.
Do I need a reservation to visit?
No reservation is needed for daytime retail browsing, but you should check ahead for scheduled evening drum circles or classes to confirm if registration is required.
How long has Ancient Ways been open?
The shop has been operating in the Drake neighborhood since 1997.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Yelp · evendo.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-06