“Is this Heaven? No, it’s Iowa”. We all know that line from “Field of Drams”, right?! But, after a visit to Dyersville, Iowa. We know it’s really true! We always enjoy finding great treasures in Iowa and love sharing about them too!
Traveling doesn’t always have to be week long vacations and with our busy lives we have come to enjoy day trips and weekend getaways. Dyersville, Iowa is perfect for both of those!
*Thank you to Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce for inviting us and hosting our visit. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and my own! For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.
Visit Dyersville, Iowa
This community of Dyersville, in Eastern Iowa, with a little more than 4000 people, has a lot to offer! They have a variety of restaurants, a lot of shops (specifically antique), things to do, a variety parks, and much more!
Getting to Dyersville
Dyersville is easily accessible via Highway 20, which is an east/west 4-lane highway running through central Iowa! It is also close to Cedar Rapids if you need an airport to fly into.
If you’re traveling by car…
- Des Moines, IA – 190 miles – 2hrs 48 minutes drive time
- Minneapolis, MN – 237 miles – 4 hrs 9 minutes drive time
- Kansas City, MO – 382 miles – 5 hrs 33 minutes drive time
- Chicago, IL – 204 miles – 3 hrs 43 minutes drive time
So, what are our 5 reasons to visit Dyersville? Here you go!
Field of Dreams Movie Site
You can’t visit Dyersville and not visit the Field of Dreams Movie Site. And, while Hollywood built the movie site, Dyersville has fully embraced the movie site and everything that comes with it! The farm (and baseball field) is open to the public April 1 until October 31st and has free admission. If you’d like to tour the home, there is a charge and those must be scheduled ahead of time!
We were lucky enough to visit during one of their special events! We were there to help them celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the movie! This event had lots of free activities for kids, food vendors, half off home tours, special field events like a homerun derby, celebrity players, and a showing of the movie after dark! If you’d like to visit, but want to visit during a special event, don’t worry, there are several throughout the months they are open!
Whenever you do visit, make sure to take your camera, baseball glove, and watch the movie prior (or after)! It’s a great way to make memories as a family!
- Field of Dreams Movie Site Location
- 28995 Lansing Road
- Dyersville, Iowa
Nearby: WEEKEND GETAWAY IN IOWA: 4 “MUST DO” THINGS IN DUBUQUE, IA
Basilica of St. Francis Xavier
The Catholic church gives the title of “Basilica” to churches that have unusual architecture and spiritual significance! This is actually the only Basilica in Iowa! And once you enter the Basilica of St Francis Xavier, there is no denying that it has earned the title and honor! Originally built in the late 1880’s and renovated and restored in the early 2000’s, the Basilica will transport you to Europe upon arrival! While I took endless pictures, they really don’t do the Basilica any justice! Make sure to arrange a tour ahead of time to ensure you get all the history and fun stories that go along with it!
- Basilica of St Francis Xavier
- 104 3rd Street SW
- Dyersville, Iowa
Becker’s Woodcarving Museum
Don’t be deceived by the fact that this museum is on a working farm! Becker Woodcarving Museum pays homage to Jack Becker and his years of hand carved wood pieces! Tours are led by his widow, Joyce, who has an obvious passion for her late husbands talent and loves to tell stories about Jack and his work! Enjoy walking around checking out large and small pieces, some more simple, some with immense detail! Be amazed at what he could achieve and create out of wood! The tour is free, but free will donations are encouraged to help keep this museum up! Also, make sure to check out the guest book! People come from all over the US to check out Mr. Becker’s work.
- Becker’s Woodcarving Museum
- 15346 Becker Lane
- Dyersville, Iowa
Looking for another great Iowa Day trip?! PLAN A DAY TRIP TO FORT DODGE, IOWA
National Farm Toy Museum
Whether you’re a farm kid, were a farm kid, or just love tractors, the National Farm Toy Museum is a great stop! This two level museum offers full of all sorts of farm toys and farm toy history! I enjoyed checking out all the different pieces and finding those that I had as a child growing up on a farm! There are several areas that provide interaction for kids of all ages too! I personally loved the decade vignettes set up on the main floor with the “I Spy” type of theme! Upstairs, you’ll find play areas for kids with a farm theme and clearly aren’t just for small kids!
Whether you take grandpa to reminisce of his farming days or take the kids because they love farming and toys, everyone will find something to enjoy here!
- National Farm Toy Museum
- 1110 16th Ave SE
- Dyersville, Iowa
Another Great Day Trip in Iowa: SPEND AN AFTERNOON BEING A TOURIST IN MASON CITY, IOWA
Make it A Weekend Getaway in Iowa
Dyersville isn’t just great for a day trip, but is a great destination for a weekend getaway in Iowa. It doesn’t get much more “Iowa” than corn fields and baseball!
Places to Stay
Dyersville offers a variety of different places to stay! For a traditional hotel stay, check out:
- Comfort Inn – 527 16th Ave SE
- Motel 8 – 925 15th Ave SE
For a more unique stay, check out:
- Downtown Dyersville Apartment
- Century Haus – 327 1st Ave W
- Uptown B&B – 208 3rd Street SE
Places to Eat:
You need great places to eat whether you’re spending the day or the weekend! Check out these amazing places to grab a snack or meal!
- Best Breakfast Option: Dyersville Family Restaurant – 226 1st Ave E
- Best Lunch Spot: Brew & Brew – 213 1st Ave E
- Dinner Options:
- Palace Saloon – 149 1st Ave E
- Rio Blanco – 639 16th Ave. SE
- The Ritz – 232 1st Ave. E
- Pick up Picnic Supplies from: Subway or Brew & Brew
- Unique to Dyersville: Textile Brewing Company – 146 2nd St. SE
Visit Dyersville
When you’re ready for a fun day with the family, plan to visit Dyersville, Iowa. Looking for a great weekend getaway in Iowa, head to Dyersville, Iowa. There is a variety of things to do with the family or by a good friend! We didn’t even scratch the surface of restaurants, parks, and more, but we found 5 great reasons to visit!
A Weekend Getaway in Iowa: Spend the Weekend in Vacation Okoboji, IA
Pin It For Later
More Iowa Roadtrips
Looking for more Iowa goodness? Check out our IOWA PAGE to catch it all!
Check out the Dyer-Botsford Doll house/historical house http://dyersvillehistory.com/dyer-botsford-house/
Will add it to our list for our next visit!
I still haven’t seen field of dreams! It was fun to go on this tour with you.
Thank you! It was a fun day with my guys!!
In all my times there, I have never made it to the Wood Carving Museum. I will have to add that to my list. Also the first weekend in November is the National Farm Toy show for farm toy lovers out there! I also enjoyed the doll museum too. The Basilica is so beautiful!
I’ve heard a lot about the doll museum since our visit!! You would love the woodcarving museum!!
Dyersville has a lot of small town charm! I’ll keep this spot in mind if I ever pass by there someday!
I never knew that Basilicas were names of honor given to unique churches. Love learning something new!
It really is a charming small community! And for anyone who has seen Field of Dreams, it’s a must stop!!
Dyersville has a realllllyyyyy good yoga studio too! It’s also the start of the Heritage Trail which is a 26 mile hiking/biking trail that goes all the way to Dubuque!
Fun! Those both sound awesome!!
How fun! I love seeing what small towns have to offer. 🙂
A lot of times small towns are my favorite! They usually have treasures that few people know about, but are fantastic!
this article only lists 4 reasons to visit dyersville. kinda misleading.
Sorry about that! We were including the last bit about great places to eat and stay as #5!