Dyersville Field Of Dreams Visit

[clonehome]

If not already mentioned, Park Farm Winery outside Bankston is phenomenal. Only about a 10 minute drive from FOD thru country roads. Then you can drive another 10 minutes to get to Breitbach’s in Rickardsville. From there you can go south to Dubuque (Mines of Spain is beautiful view) and further to Bellevue. Or go north to Marquette/MacGregor and Pikes Peak. You’re NY friends could easily spend 3-4 days in that area, drive thru a lot of beautiful scenery and drink and dine in lots of cool places.

I grew up in Dyersville and have been doing all of the above for decades. Have lots of family still in that area.

 

[cy4state]

I’ve been told Bluff Lake has gone down hill. Owners kid took over and changed everything.

My parents live a couple miles from Bluff Lake. They have an outdoor waiting area now and it's been cleaned up. Food wise, menu has changed some not much though, mainly due to what they can or can't get at times. Still highly recommend.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Pikes Peak is my favorite state park. If your group is not wanting/able to hike you can drive to the top and see the best views just steps from the parking lot.
Textile Brewing in Dyersville has good beer and a small food menu.
In Dubuque, there’s a good Italian restaurant, Vinny’s Little Italy down near the river district. The original Vinny’s is in Galena but I’ve not been there yet.

Good mentions, and I'll just add that

Textile is great, one of my favorite small town breweries. Get one of their home made giant pretzels with home made beer cheese while you enjoy a beer or two or three. Dubuque also has a handful of really good breweries - 7 Hills (best choice if also looking for lunch/dinner) Dimensional (best beer) and Jubeck (smaller, but very good at what they do as well).

Galena is only another 20ish minutes or so beyond Dubuque on the IL side, plenty to do and see there to kill an afternoon. Weed dispensary too if you're into that sort of thing.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Also being from the area (I remember when they filmed the movie!), I agree with BigTurk and would also recommend Dubuque for a full day trip - it really is a nice downtown now. Bit of a drive from Dyersville (30 mins?) to get to the actual downtown. Lots of touristy stuff there, shops, restaurants, breweries, etc.

I would recommend Shot Tower Inn much more than Breitbachs personally. It's nothing special really, but has been there since forever, and its kind of a trip thru the way-back machine if you like that.

Eagle Point Park is a great place to look out over the river, the lock & dam, etc. Beautiful, peaceful. My grandpa helped build it, part of the WPA during the depression. You can usually park fairly close to the look outs so not much walking.

Bluff Lake is a long way to drive and wait to eat greasy mediocre catfish - have been there several times. Catfish Charlies is closer, nicer, better food and service.

My favorite pizza in town! Not sure how hot takey that is, considering the locals really love their Happy Joe's here.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

How far to Mississippi River Distilling? Try some of their experimental products, such as bourbon finished in various beer and wine barrels. Or just introduce your friend to the new Amaretto flavored Iowish Cream.

About an hour south of Dubuque. Add maybe 25, 30 min from Dyersville probably.

 

[DBQR4CY]

Sneak over to Galena... lots of neat things to see there and not too far from Dyersville.

This right here would be a big one. I'd say go and stay in Dubuque. There's a bunch to see and do from that point. You're within a 30 min drive of Galena and Dyersville. You're also close to Petosi brewery in Wisconsin. Dubuque sits where the three states meet so you could also get them some Spotted Cow.

 

[DBQR4CY]

In Dubuque there's the Italian restaurant Mario's. Have an appetite and get the Panzoroti!! Best thing in Dubuque.

 

[CascadeClone]

My favorite pizza in town! Not sure how hot takey that is, considering the locals really love their Happy Joe's here.

I was going to mention HJ's! OP, get your New Yorkers the original HJ Special - canadian bacon & sauerkraut. Or a taco pizza, they might never have seen one, and HJ's taco is THE best. (the secret is the off brand fauxritos)

 

[Cy4Lifer]

Also being from the area (I remember when they filmed the movie!), I agree with BigTurk and would also recommend Dubuque for a full day trip - it really is a nice downtown now. Bit of a drive from Dyersville (30 mins?) to get to the actual downtown. Lots of touristy stuff there, shops, restaurants, breweries, etc.

I would recommend Shot Tower Inn much more than Breitbachs personally. It's nothing special really, but has been there since forever, and its kind of a trip thru the way-back machine if you like that.

Eagle Point Park is a great place to look out over the river, the lock & dam, etc. Beautiful, peaceful. My grandpa helped build it, part of the WPA during the depression. You can usually park fairly close to the look outs so not much walking.

Bluff Lake is a long way to drive and wait to eat greasy mediocre catfish - have been there several times. Catfish Charlies is closer, nicer, better food and service.

Eagle Point Park is great, but be prepared…it is rather pricey…

$1.00…..

…For the entire carload!

 

[Cy4Lifer]

This right here would be a big one. I'd say go and stay in Dubuque. There's a bunch to see and do from that point. You're within a 30 min drive of Galena and Dyersville. You're also close to Petosi brewery in Wisconsin. Dubuque sits where the three states meet so you could also get them some Spotted Cow.

Also, Bellevue is another great town, only about 25 minutes down stream!

 

[Cy4Lifer]

Stonecliff Winery is located right on the Riverwalk near the Grand River Center and the Diamond Jo Casino. More variety of sweet wines and less of dry. Also, they have live music and good light food items!

 

[bstegs]

7hills was mentioned above. They also have a restaurant in Dyersville. My wife and I went there recently and it's probably the best meal I've had in Dyersville now that the Country Junction is closed.

 

[Al_4_State]

In Dubuque there's the Italian restaurant Mario's. Have an appetite and get the Panzoroti!! Best thing in Dubuque.

Mario’s is awesome. Super old school style Italian

 

[TruClone]

How far to Mississippi River Distilling? Try some of their experimental products, such as bourbon finished in various beer and wine barrels. Or just introduce your friend to the new Amaretto flavored Iowish Cream

From Dubuque, about 80 miles to Le Claire. Going down Hwy 61 to I-80 is the fastest route.

 

[Die4Cy]

In Dubuque there's the Italian restaurant Mario's. Have an appetite and get the Panzoroti!! Best thing in Dubuque.

Mario's is legit.

 

[Cycsk]

About an hour south of Dubuque. Add maybe 25, 30 min from Dyersville probably.

If I get that close to Mississippi River Distilling, I make sure I go to it!

 

[Die4Cy]

I’ve been told Bluff Lake has gone down hill. Owners kid took over and changed everything.

We went about two weeks ago. It was good!

The renovations they made during COVID actually have helped out a bunch in getting the flow of customers through, and they added a bunch of outdoor seating for folks who sit and wait, as it is a first come, first serve establishment. Ask at the counter for a deck of cards and play some Hearts or euchre while you wait. Drinks are still cheap, and it's still all you can eat if you order the daily special, which is what you are supposed to do. Sunday night fried shrimp and chicken is the best night, imo.

I do feel like the interior decorator took away some of the charm of the place, it used to have an interesting cobbled together aesthetic that just isn't there any more, but it is brighter inside and there is more room for customers.

 

[Die4Cy]

My favorite pizza in town! Not sure how hot takey that is, considering the locals really love their Happy Joe's here.

I proposed to my wife as a 23 year old kid over Italian grinder sandwiches at the Shot Tower Inn.

Another good choice.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

7hills was mentioned above. They also have a restaurant in Dyersville. My wife and I went there recently and it's probably the best meal I've had in Dyersville now that the Country Junction is closed.

Good mention, I had forgotten that 7 Hills expanded to Dyersville

 

[DBQR4CY]

Stonecliff Winery is located right on the Riverwalk near the Grand River Center and the Diamond Jo Casino. More variety of sweet wines and less of dry. Also, they have live music and good light food items!

Umm...Park Farm is the winery to visit. Lol.