Bily Clocks Museum
Spillville, IA
Elaborate hand-carved clocks made by two farmer brothers, in the house where Antonín Dvořák spent the summer of 1893.
The Bily Clocks Museum in Spillville, northeast Iowa, displays elaborately hand-carved clocks made by the Czech-American farmer brothers Frank and Joseph Bily. According to KOA, the 40 clock cases were built between about 1915 and 1958; some stand over 10 feet (3 m) tall and weigh about 500 pounds (225 kg).
The house has a second story: the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák spent the summer of 1893 on its upper floor, and an exhibit recalls his stay. St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville still has the 1876 organ he played for daily Mass.
The museum is at 323 S. Main Street, and Spillville lies about 4 miles (6 km) west of US 52. It is wheelchair accessible. Hours and season change, so check ahead.
- Nearest town
- Spillville, IA
- Category
- Roadside oddities
- GPS
- 43.2040, -91.9500
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Lake Meyer County Park CampgroundCampsite3 mi from Bily Clocks Museum · 35 pitchesElectricityDrinking waterShowersWaste disposal
- Pulpit Rock CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Bily Clocks MuseumElectricityShowersWaste disposal
- Hutchinson Family Farms CampgroundCampsite12 mi from Bily Clocks Museum
- Turkey River CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Bily Clocks Museum · 46 pitchesElectricityDrinking waterShowers
- White's Riverside CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Bily Clocks Museum
- Waukon City Park CampgroundCampsite24 mi from Bily Clocks Museum · 28 pitchesElectricityDrinking waterShowersWaste disposal
All campsites in Iowa · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Bily Clocks Museum?
Bily Clocks Museum is in Spillville, IA, at GPS 43.2040, -91.9500. It is about 11 mi from Decorah.
Can you camp near Bily Clocks Museum?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lake Meyer County Park Campground, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 26 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Bily Clocks Museum?
Bily Clocks Museum is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Iowa’s Driftless bluffs and Norwegian Decorah.
What is there to see near Bily Clocks Museum?
Places worth a stop nearby: Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum (11 mi), Dunning’s Spring (12 mi), Lanesboro (36 mi) and Mount Hosmer Park (38 mi).
When is the best time to visit Bily Clocks Museum?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)