Is This Heaven? No, It’s the Small Iowa Town With One of the Most Iconic Movies Sites of All Time
By: Trudy Haywood Saunders (Midwest Living)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
You don’t have to be a baseball fan to know the line “if you build it, they will come” — and the place they come to is Dyersville, Iowa. Each year, over 100,000 baseball fans around the world make the pilgrimage to the site of one of the most famous baseball movies of all time: Field of Dreams . And while the town is about 50 miles from I-380 and I-80, Dyersville is an easy day trip from Dubuque, located directly on US Hwy. 20. But in case you forget where you are, surrounded by small town hospitality and nostalgia, and have to ask, “Is this Heaven?,” just remember, “No, it’s Iowa.” Here’s how to enjoy a day in Dyersville.
8 a.m. Eat Like a Local
The best place to start the day is with breakfast at the Dyersville Family Restaurant on 1st Avenue. The locally-owned mom and pop restaurant has been serving the people of Dyersville since 2016, but with classic comfort food, like biscuits and gravy and sirloin steak and eggs, you’ll swear it’s been here longer. For something quick, grab a cup of coffee or a chai across the street at the Brew & Brew .
9 a.m. Take the Field of Dreams
Play catch on the baseball field from “Field of Dreams.”. Credit: Courtesy of Travel Dubuque
Beat the crowds to the iconic Field of Dreams Movie Site for some of the best photos. Pre-purchase tickets to the Kinsella family house online to reserve a tour of the house, or purchase onsite. (Note that the 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. slots are reserved for motorcoaches and spots may fill up fast due to popularity.) On select days, you can watch the Ghost Players, dressed in throwback Chicago White Sox uniforms, perform the “Greatest Show on Dirt” with free general admission. Be sure to bring your glove to play catch, just like Kevin Costner, on the field set in the middle of the Iowa corn crop.
12 p.m. Explore Downtown
Sample specialty burgers at The Palace Saloon Bar & Grill, once a Prohibition-era saloon and hotel. Credit: Courtesy of Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce
Take a midday break at The Palace Saloon Bar & Grill for one of their speciality burgers or the lunch buffet. Originally built in 1883 as a saloon and hotel, the bar is over 100 years old, and features a mural of the town’s Prohibition-era past. Another architectural town treasure has a more holy origin. You can peek into the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis Xavier , which has served the community for over 125 years and continues to welcome parishioners and visitors. If the Pope ever comes to Dyersville, this is where he would stay.
1:30 p.m. Tour the Museums
Check out the If You Build It Exhibit, the companion attraction to the Field of Dreams Movie Site. Credit: Courtesy of Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce
After lunch, tour the National Farm Toy Museum , the largest museum of its kind in the country. The museum features two floors of toy history, farm toys, and displays. Each year the museum selects a 1/16th scale collector tractor to display to benefit the museum. On 1st Avenue, you’ll also find the Dyer-Botsford House & Doll Museum . Named in honor of James Dyer—the first person to build a frame house in Dyersville—the Victorian mansion has historical items from the town, including a miniature hand-carved model of a circus and over 2,000 dolls. While downtown, stop by the If You Build It Exhibit , the companion attraction to the movie site, featuring items from the making of the film.
3 p.m. Shop for a Souvenir
After seeing all the collectible toys, you’re going to want to take one home. Pick one (or more) out for yourself or a loved one at the Tomy Factory Outlet Store , or the Plaza Antique Mall . The second floor of the mall is dedicated exclusively to toys from over 150 vendors. The walkable downtown is also a great place for specialty shopping, featuring clothing boutiques like Elle & Beck’s Lifestyle Boutique and antiquing at the Savvy Salvage . Get a souvenir at This and That Designs on 1st Avenue, or stop by Flammang Jewelry (serving Dyersville since 1911) and Reicher Shoes, where they still tie your packages up with string.
7 p.m. Dinner, Drinks, and Dessert
Stop into Millwork Creamery for Italian ice and gelato made fresh every day. Credit: Courtesy of Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce
Have dinner and drinks at Textile Brewing Company , a former pajama factory remembered for the female textile workers who walked out over a 7.5 cent raise—a event that inspired a musical featuring Doris Day. Today, guests can enjoy a massive Bavarian pretzel or German flatbread along with the flagship Dyersville lager brewed onsite. You’ll eat at restored work tables and can see the original time clock. Have a sweet tooth? Don’t miss Millwork Creamery for gelato and Italian ice served by Dyersville native, Jerry Gebhard, and his wife, Robin. Or head down to The Cellar at Millwork , a wine bar that also has dessert drinks and live music.
Overnight
Watch “Field of Dreams” when you stay the night at the Kinsella House. Credit: Courtesy of Travel Dubuque
For the ultimate Field of Dreams experience, you can rent the three-bedroom Kinsella House at the Field of Dreams movie site for the night. Sit on the swing, gaze out at the cornfields and even watch the classic movie on the living room television. Several Airbnbs are also available, as well as the Comfort Inn Dyersville with a pool.
Mark Your Calendar
One of Dyersville’s biggest events is the MLB game at the Field of Dreams Ballpark . This year the Twins and Phillies will play August 13th with the event streamed live on Netflix. The National Farm Toy Show is another popular annual event, planned for November 6–8 this year.
Explore More
Outdoor enthusiasts won’t want to miss the 30-mile Heritage Trail to Dubuque. Free bikes and helmets are available for use at Textile Brewing and the Comfort Inn.
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Yup, getting to Dyersville is a road trip. But that's part of the Midwest experience.
Tours of movie filmed locations has become big business in China, If I were in the USA I would want to tour Dyersville.
All right, you made me do it. I just finished watching Field of Dreams AGAIN. However, because of the hot weather and it's healthier for an old geezer like me to stay indoors with the air conditioning I watched another two movies today - The Adjustment Bureau starring Matt Damon and Village of the Damned starring Christopher Reeve.