Put Nostalgia on Your Summer Travel Itinerary

Nostalgic Baseball Experiences in Iowa

Summer is a time for both reminiscing and making new memories. Something about the season’s sights, sounds and tastes reminds us of the simpler times of our childhood and inspires us to recreate that warm-weather magic with our friends and family.

And what’s more synonymous with American nostalgia than baseball? The crack of the bat, the peanuts and Cracker Jacks, the chants and the cheers. Going to a game is an essential part of summer, and Iowa’s minor league teams boast the best of baseball fun for a more affordable price and in more intimate settings. Catch a game at these baseball attractions and stadiums across the state and complete the adventure with more old-time fun nearby.

Field of Dreams, Dyersville

Chances are if you’re a baseball fan, you’ve probably heard of Dyersville and the Field of Dreams movie site and museum. This popular attraction also offers tours of the home and exhibits sharing stories behind the movie at the If You Build It Exhibit. On select Sundays throughout the summer, visitors can also experience the Ghost Players emerging from the corn and join them for a lap around the bases or a game of catch.
The nostalgic experience doesn’t have to end on the diamond in the cornfield. The Dyersville area is packed with step-back-in-time fun for the whole family.

The National Farm Toy Museum showcases tractors and farm equipment of the past that the kids can play on.
Plaza Antique Mall boasts an assortment of antiques and vintage collectibles.
Enjoy some fresh air with a walk on the Heritage Trail, a gorgeous 26-mile-long trail that connects Dyersville to Dubuque.
Check out the stunning Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, a 19^th Century church with marvelous architecture.

No trip is complete without refueling at a local restaurant. Here are some local favorites:

The Palace Saloon has been around since 1883 and boasts burgers and beverages for everyone’s taste.
Pair a craft brew with a massive Bavarian pretzel or delicious flatbread at Textile Brewing, which is in located in a historic restored sewing factory.
For dessert, sample Millwork Creamery’s variety of ice cream flavors.

Classics in the Capital

With the golden dome of the Iowa Capitol in view behind center field, an Iowa Cubs (the AAA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) game at Principal Park is a perfect summer experience in Des Moines. But just beyond the diamond, there’s plenty of other nostalgic options to keep in your bullpen.

• Take a stroll through Historic Valley Junction, which will bring you back to the 1800s thanks to its historic vibe and architecture.
• Give the kids a taste of nostalgia at the Blank Park Zoo or Adventureland Amusement Park (in Altoona, a 20-minute drive from Des Moines).
• Relax with a paddle boat ride on Gray’s Lake Park, a memory-making favorite.

And all that activity surely has you hungry and craving more nostalgia.
• Hit the neon-lit, very 1950s-style Drake Diner (open since the late ‘80s) for all-day breakfast, patty melts, meatloaf, shakes, and pies.
• For similar vibes without leaving your car, check out B-Bop’s drive-through.
• For a formal sit-down meal, dig into Italian-American classics at Baratta’s, a converted home/restaurant operating for over 50 years.

Sioux City Explorers

Catch a Sioux City Explorers game at MercyOne Field in Lewis & Clark Park for affordable, family-friendly baseball and fun promotional nights, and then take advantage of more nostalgia that Sioux City has to offer.

• Step back in time at the Sioux City Public Museum, featuring interactive exhibits on local history and the region’s colorful past.
• Or if you like your museums a bit more maritime, the Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center is a dry-docked towboat turned museum on the Missouri River.
• Walk through the historic 4th Street District, known for its preserved late-1800s architecture, galleries, and shops.
• Enjoy the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center with its hiking trails, butterfly garden, and hands-on exhibits—perfect for family photos and memories.
Local favorites for food and treats:
• Getting hungry? Get some classic Coney Island style chili dogs and homemade pies at Milwaukee Wiener House, a local staple since 1918.
• Grab a hearty meal at local favorite Main + Abbey, which brings some British gastropub vibes to Sioux City.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth with old-fashioned ice cream at Palmer’s Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe, which has been making candies since 1878.

Bandits, Kernels, Bees and Memories

If the Quad Cities are on your agenda, catching a River Bandits game at Modern Woodmen Park (recently voted America’s Best Minor League Ballpark) is a must.
• Enjoy the Ferris wheel and carousel at the ballpark, plus ever-changing themed promos and activities at the games.
• In town, visit the Figge Art Museum, an architectural gem and museum since 1925.
• Take in the sights at the Davenport Skybridge, especially at night with its LED lighting.
• Don’t miss Lagomarcino’s Confectionary, a soda fountain, ice cream and chocolate shop serving locals and tourists since 1908.

Less than 90 minutes away, more baseball and nostalgia potential awaits at Veterans Stadium in Cedar Rapids, where the Cedar Rapids Kernels play.
• While there, you can transport back to the old days at Ushers Ferry Historic Village, with wagon rides and pioneer life exhibits.
• Shop and enjoy European flair in Czech Village.
• Get a classic ice cream treat at Parlor City Ice Cream, or go old school at Little Bohemia (the oldest tavern in Cedar Rapids and “Little Bo” to the locals) for their pork tenderloin and relaxed vibes.
About two hours south of Cedar Rapids, you can catch the baseball buzz at a Burlington Bees game at Community Field to watch the oldest team in Iowa (playing since 1889) play.
• Try their signature Lippy Dog (a buffalo chicken sandwich on a hot dog bun).
• Walk “the crookedest street in the world” at Snake Alley, built in 1894.
• Visit the restored Art Deco Capitol Theater.
• Have family fun at Black Water Mini Golf (open since 1930) and enjoy an ice cream or soda fountain drink at the Mississippi Moon Ice Cream Parlor attached to it.

Waterloo Bucks
If Waterloo is on your travel agenda, the Waterloo Bucks play their Northwoods League collegiate innings at Riverfront Stadium, which – you guessed it – is nestled in a park right along the Cedar River. But while in Waterloo, you should also:

• Stroll through the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, showcasing vintage tractors and interactive displays for all ages.
• Visit the Grout Museum District, home to hands-on science, military, and local history exhibits.
• Take the kids to Lost Island Theme Park, which includes Iowa’s largest waterpark with slides, a lazy river and a wave pool and a separate park with rollercoasters and rides.
• Enjoy a nostalgia-filled setting at Newton’s Paradise Café, a retro-style diner in downtown Waterloo serving up classic burgers and malts.
• Cool off with a scoop from 4 Queens Dairy Cream, a local ice cream shop beloved for its soft serve and sundaes.

Clarinda A’s
The Clarinda A’s, who are an amateur team of future college and pro hopefuls, play at the classic-looking Clarinda Municipal Stadium. And while you’re in town, here are some other nostalgic things to do and check out:

• Explore the Nodaway Valley Historical Museum, which features baseball memorabilia, pioneer artifacts and a restored country schoolhouse.
• Visit the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum to learn about the famous bandleader’s early life and musical legacy.
• Grab comfort food classics at J’s Pizza & Steak House, a Clarinda favorite for pies (some say the best in town) and hearty meals.
• Enjoy homemade pastries and coffee at Robin’s Nest Café, a cozy spot on the square.

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