Welcome out of town guests! The Iowa Shakesperience Fest wholeheartedly supports tourism in Iowa’s Capital!
Moreover, we actively help generate tourism – and valuable tourism-related benefits for our community.
Check out the information below! And DO sign in on our guest register – we’d love to know you were here!
The Iowa Shakespeare Experience and tourism:
Data shows that Shakespeare Festivals routinely attract folks from a 90 mile radius, and our data shows that the ISE is right on track: we routinely draw visitors from areas like Atlantic, Pella, Oskaloosa and Winterset along with many other visitors from out of state!
So we want our visitors to know: Des Moines and its terrific suburbs is an amazing place to visit- full of cultural and artistic riches, wonderful shopping, and glorious restaurants.
Watch this site for more information as we continue to develop our partnerships with some of central Iowa’s leading businesses.
Meanwhile, we recommend that during a visit to Metro Des Moines, you consider creating an “All Will” weekend in greater Des Moines by checking out listings for the following great Shakespeare-inspired activities:
- A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!- Check out our local horse back riding options!
- Lord, what fools these mortals be! Don’t miss our fun local comedy clubs!
- More matter with less art: Get thee to the Art Center and to the Pappajohn Public Art Garden for a world-class adventure into contemporary (even minimalist!) art!
- Let every eye negotiate for itself: You will LOVE our local Galleries – and do stop by the only gallery located directly on the Riverwalk (West side) – The Polk County Heritage Gallery
- A king of infinite space: Children especially with love an exciting visit to the Des Moines Science Center!
- If music be the food of love, play on: Area choices for music are simply outstanding- from the local Club scene to the super vibes at Iowa’s Coffeehouses (try the line up at Ritual Café!). And then of course there are our world-class programs of the Des Moines Metro Opera, Des Moines Symphony, and Civic Music Association– especially the FREE outdoor Belin Quartet concert line up on Fridays at the noon-hour (Nollen Plaza) during the summer. And while we are talking about fabulous, free outdoor music: Check out the incredible Thursday night line up at Jasper Winery (an in-town winery) or stop by for wine tasting anytime!
- A Dish fit for the Gods: Restaurants in Des Moines have been written up in some of the nation’s most impressive publications, from the New York Times to Gourmet Magazine. Azalae, Sbrocco, Gateway Market and Café Di Scala have all won ultra-impressive awards- and the extraordinary chocolates and gelato at Choclaterie Stams can be purchased no where else in the world but in greater Des Moines and in Holland!
- All’s Well That Ends Well: Our area has a wonderful array of Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts: one such special place is the Butler House on Grand!
- The World’s Mine Oyster: Check terrific guides as to “what’s happening” in the Metro’s free Cityview paper or in dsm magazine…so as not to miss so many additional special places well worth exploring – such as the Joie de Vie Tea Salon in Historic Sherman Hill. Zanzibar’s coffeehouse on Ingersoll is a true local scene-maker – and the Des Moines Botanical Center provides a wonderful “trip to the tropics” that is a completely unique experience! Another don’t miss: shopping – especially at the unique, atmosphere-laden treasure chests found in the Historic East Village or in Valley Junction! And the website of Metro Arts Alliance will point you to an astonishing number of additional cultural choices – including more great theatre at the Des Moines Playhouse and Stagewest!