Small-town charm and "Field of Dreams" fame anchor Dyersville
The small town of Dyersville in eastern Iowa played a starring role in the 1989 film "Field of Dreams." And while the iconic baseball diamond from the movie, set amid corn fields, still draws hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, the town itself is equally cherished by locals, earning the runner-up spot for Best Small Towns in the Midwest from USA Today in 2025.
In this tight-knit community of about 4,500, life revolves around local events, small businesses and neighborly vibes. "It's a very friendly, caring community. . . You know your neighbors, and if you're in need, they'll help you out," says Theresa Neuhaus, Realtor with American Realty, who was born and raised in Dyersville. "Where I live, just on the edge of town, it's quiet. But even in town, it's just a very clean, nice community."
Ranch-style, bi-level and New Traditional homes on spacious lots
A competitive market and low inventory may pose a challenge for buyers in this sought-after area. "We are still having competitive sales, especially in the lower price range, just because there's not a lot of selection right now," Neuhaus says. The median price for single-family homes is about $240,000, significantly lower than nearby Dubuque. Ranch-style, bi-level and early 20th-century homes are common here, as are larger lots. "Most of them have a decent-sized yard — like a quarter of an acre," Neuhaus says. The sought-after Castle Hill Estates subdivision features high-end New Traditional homes and buildable lots on about an acre.
High marks for Western Dubuque schools
Western Dubuque Community School District serves the area and earns an overall A-minus from Niche. In 2024, it ranked No. 5 among Iowa school districts with enrollments of 1,650 or greater. Students may attend Dyersville Elementary School, which earns a B, Drexler Middle-Intermediate School, which gets an A-minus, and Western Dubuque High School, which gets a B-plus. High schoolers can earn early college credits with Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment courses. Articulated courses may transfer to nearby colleges such as Northeast Iowa Community College or Kirkwood Community College.
From the "Field of Dreams" movie site to real-life baseball leagues
Dyersville's 100 acres of park space includes an aquatic center, playgrounds, dog park, pickleball courts and other amenities. Baseball is not just a fictional pastime here. Locals can participate in several sports leagues. Westside Park features a playground, disc golf course, walking paths and baseball and soccer fields. Commercial Club Park is the venue for many town events, and home to the town aquatic center, with baseball-themed fountains, a twisty slide and lap swimming area. The 26-mile Heritage Trail takes pedestrians through the county's mining and mill towns, ending at Dubuque. Dyersville's "Field of Dreams" baseball diamond and farmhouse, the National Farm Toy Museum, Dyer-Botsford Historical House and Doll Museum and the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier — one of only two in Iowa — attract crowds annually.
Downtown boutiques, brews and breakfast spots
The downtown shopping district features mom-and-pop restaurants, boutiques, vintage stores, and other specialty shops along First Avenue. Dyersville Family Restaurant serves traditional breakfast options, including Belgian-style waffles, and sandwiches for lunch. Based in a converted sewing factory, Textile Brewing Company offers several craft beer options and soft pretzels with different toppings. Locals can sip their brews on the outdoor patio. On Dyersville's south side, Plaza Antique Mall is the largest of its kind in eastern Iowa, with secondhand finds, collectibles and farm toys. Fareway Meat and Grocery offers a full range of grocery options.
Annual events draw crowds, and locals find their niche
Just like in the film, "ghost players" emerge from the corn fields at the Field of Dreams site. The touring baseball exhibition team, which includes several extras from the film, recreates scenes and plays games for fans. While those performances are popular with visitors, Neuhaus says the Dyersville Downtown Markets in the summer have a strong local focus. "I believe they have well over 100 vendors there, music, activities for the kids — it's just a great place for people to come gather, enjoy and buy some local products," she says. Visitors come from afar for the anual Third of July Celebration & Fireworks. "It is one of the most incredible fireworks shows you'll see around," Neuhaus says.
Extreme weather has historically been minimal
Iowa, and Dyersville, are part of Tornado Alley. In Neuhaus's experience, tornadoes are rare, though the area may get thunderstorms and high winds. She says many homes are equipped with basements in case of extreme weather. "Do I ever worry about it? No," she says. "Have I ever had any damage to my home because of a storm? Maybe a few shingles, that kind of thing. We've been really fortunate."
