Points of Interest between Centerville, Iowa to Columbia City, Indiana

picture of Centerville, Iowa

Best Things to do on a Road trip from Centerville, Iowa and Columbia City, Indiana

Centerville, Iowa and Columbia City, Indiana are two charming towns in the Midwest. Both are destinations with their unique offerings, but the beauty of these towns is that they are only about 400 miles apart. This distance makes for an incredibly scenic road trip through the heartland of America. The journey takes about 7 hours and is perfect for a weekend getaway or a full week of adventure with friends or family.

Princeton, IL, serves as the midway point between Centerville, Iowa, and Columbia City, Indiana. It's a small town with a population of just over 7,000 residents. Princeton's downtown area is filled with local shops and restaurants, and it's also home to the Bureau County Historical Society's Museum, which holds significant historical artifacts related to the region.

Top Five Things to do

1. Explore the Field of Dreams Movie Site

If you're a fan of the classic baseball movie, Field of Dreams, you cannot miss this site. The movie site is located just outside of Dyersville, Iowa, which is about an hour's drive from Centerville. The movie was filmed on an actual farm, and today, the farm is open to the public. Visitors can walk around the cornfield, play catch on the diamond, and shop at the gift store.

2. Visit the Teddy Bear Museum

Columbia City, Indiana, is home to the world's largest collection of Teddy Bears and all things teddy. The museum is a fascinating collection of teddy bears from over 20 different countries. It has interactive exhibits, including teddy bear-making workshops and scavenger hunts. Visitors will surely take the fun home with them.

3. Walkabout the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum

If you're an American literature fan, a visit to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Missouri must be on your itinerary. The museum is a significant historical landmark that chronicles the life and works of one of American literature's most celebrated authors. Visitors will see the home where Mark Twain grew up, and his father's law offices, which served as inspiration for many of his works.

4. Visit the Effingham Performance Center

Located in Effingham, Illinois, this performing arts center showcases top performers in music, comedy, and theater. The center offers a wide range of programs, from Broadway shows to family-friendly events. It's a fantastic spot to check out while on a road trip.

5. Check out the John Deere Pavilion

Located in Moline, Illinois, this museum tells the story of John Deere, one of America's most iconic brands. The museum covers the company's history, the developments it brought in the agricultural and construction industries and how it overcame different crises. Visitors will enjoy interactive exhibits like simulators that take visitors driving John Deere machines, and an exhibit featuring the history of American farms.

Interesting Fact about Each Location

  • The Field of Dreams farm is still active and hosts local baseball tournaments and events throughout the year.
  • Teddy bears were named after the American President, Theodore Roosevelt, who refused to shoot a defenseless bear on a hunting trip.
  • Hannibal, Missouri, served as a port town during the steamboat era and a stop on the underground railroad.
  • The Effingham Performance Center features state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems designed to make the experience more immersive..
  • The first John Deere factory in Moline guided by the founder himself was only 30 feet by 40 feet in size

Conclusion

A road trip from Centerville, Iowa, to Columbia City, Indiana, is not just about the destinations, but also about the journey. The almost 400 miles of road takes drivers through some of the most scenic landscapes and quaint towns in the Midwest. With the five stops listed, and the midway point of Princeton, IL on the way, visitors can explore history, culture, entertainment, and relaxation all in one trip. The journey should take approximately 7-8 hours of driving, but all these stops balance things out to give just over a week's worth of adventure.