Visit Dyersville’s Field of Dreams
“People will come, Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it,” said Terence Mann.
People know why they’re coming to Dyersville, IA, though. They’re coming for the Field of Dreams.
In the midst of Iowa’s endless fields of corn, you’ll find a baseball field. This out-of-place sports grounds was made famous (and subsequently named after) by the 1989 movie Field of Dreams.
The baseball field constructed sits on land that originally served as corn fields owned by the Lansing and Ameskamp families. While it likely incurred them additional costs, the producers wanted to place the movie set across the two properties to get a proper angle for the movie’s sunset shots.
After filming was completed, the Lansing family kept their portion of the set intact. The Ameskamps initially turned the plot back into farmland, but followed their neighbors' example and rebuilt the Field of Dreams.
Today, the field is open to visitors year round from sunrise to sunset. Baseball fans from far and wide flock to see the physical manifestation of Ray Kinsella’s dream.
In addition to the baseball diamond, there’s a gift shop at the site. You can also book a tour of the old Lansing family farmhouse, which served as the Kinsella home in the movie.
If you time your visit right, you may even be able to catch a baseball game on the Field of Dreams. The field hosts Youth and Senior Baseball games.
Next to the actual Field of Dreams is also an MLB-level ballpark. Although there are no regular matches played at the field, it does host (more or less) annual games, so check the schedule before you ride over to Dyersville.
Of course, Dyersville is more than just a movie set. Riders still hankering for more baseball after visiting the Field of Dreams should head over to the Baseball Hall of Dreams. The museum details the history of the sport, while the adjoining If You Build It Exhibit takes a closer look at the production of Field of Dreams.
If you prefer hole-in-ones to home runs, Dyersville has two golf courses for you to put your swing to the test. The Rolling Knolls Golf Course lets you practice putting, while the Dyersville Golf & Country Club features a nine-hole driving range.
At the National Farm Toy Museum, you can marvel at the fascinating exhibits displaying tractors, combine harvesters, and horse-drawn plows—except they’re all toys. The museum’s two floors are packed chock-full of toys and scale models both old and new.
Meanwhile, the Becker Woodcarving Museum showcases art pieces created by local carver Jack Becker. This unique museum, located at an organic hog farm, is a must-see for anyone who likes small-town handicrafts.
Last but not least, if riding to Dyersville has left you with an unfulfilled need for speed, 300 Speedway in nearby Farley should satisfy you. The raceway hosts various dirt-track races over the year, so check the race schedule before your trip.
In a way, Field of Dreams was strangely prophetic. The movie producers built the field and people have certainly come to see it.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- Field of Dreams
- Baseball Hall of Dreams
- National Farm Toy museum
- Becker Woodcarving Museum
- 300 Raceway
Nearby Roads
Dyersville is only roughly 25 miles west of the Mississippi River and the Great River Road. The Field of Dreams is a worthwhile detour, whether you’re already on the road or just starting your Mississippi adventure in Iowa.
For more Iowa roads, roll southwest past Des Moines and hit the 26-mile White Pole Road. Following the white-painted telephone poles takes you past a variety of historical sites, such as the location where the Jesse James Gang committed the world’s first robbery of a moving train in 1873.
And if nothing else, Dyersville is within a day’s ride of Chicago and the starting point of Route 66. Baseball and the Mother Road—you can’t get much more American than that.
Recommended Lodging
Field of Dreams Farmhouse
Since you’ve come to see the Field of Dreams, you might as well dream about the ghosts of baseball on the grounds. Between March and September, you can rent the Field of Dreams Farmhouse for an overnight stay.
The house is furnished to resemble the Kinsella home from Field of Dreams and can accommodate up to seven people. It makes for an unforgettable stay for a baseball-loving group of motorcycle buddies.
Cobblestone Inn
The Cobblestone Inn and Suites in nearby Manchester offers a more traditional hotel experience that’s still within a short distance of Dyersville. The hotel is affordable but offers a very nice stay well above its price level.
The rooms are decently sized, you can hit the road with a full stomach thanks to the included continental or American breakfast, and even the farthest parking spots aren’t far from the door. For dinner, there are a couple of pizza joints within walking distance, and you can easily get to downtown Manchester with a few minute’s ride.
Food & Dining
- Textile Brewing Company: Textile Brewing Company weaves a tapestry of local beers that has a brew for every taste. In addition to the drinks, they also serve tasty (and giant) pretzels, flatbreads, and nachos. 146 2nd St NE, Dyersville, IA.
- Dyersville Family Restaurant: The staff is friendly and food is delicious. Dyersville Family Restaurant serves up the quintessential American diner breakfast or lunch. Find it at 226 1st Ave E, Dyersville, IA.
Best Time to Travel
It’s best to head to the Field of Dreams in the summer. The temperatures may get a bit hot, but you have a much higher chance of being able to walk on the field during nice weather. Fall is a suitable time, too, and you may also get to watch the corn harvest.
Winter is a no-go season for motorcyclists in Dyersville, as the Field of Dreams (not to mention the roads) may be covered in snow.