Winterset, Iowa is a quintessential Iowa town you won’t regret exploring. Whether you’re a native Iowan ready to explore the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway, or looking to check Iowa off your 50 state tour, you need to head to Winterset. Many people visit for the beautiful Madison County bridges, but Winterset offers much more!

Many thanks to the Madison County CVB for sponsoring this post.

           Visiting the Madison County Bridges & More Fun in Winterset Iowa!

I’m always surprised when people tell me they’ve never been to Iowa. I suppose it’s not a state high on most people’s travel bucket list, but it does have quite a few redeeming qualities and some of the nicest people you will meet, if I do say so myself. 

Since I live in Iowa, I just take for granted that North Dakota is the last state people visit, but I suppose Iowa might be one of the last as well. 

But the truth is, there are so many wonderful places to visit in Iowa – Winterset and the Madison County Bridges are just the tip of the iceberg! Full of history, a charming downtown square, delicious restaurants, and plenty of luxurious accommodations: these are just a few of the reasons your entire family will be excited to explore Madison County, Iowa!  

History of the Movie – The Bridges of Madison County

Many people are familiar with the movie that helped put Winterset on the map. Based on the best selling novel by Robert James Waller, The Bridges of Madison County was partly filmed in Winterset in 1995. The story is set in 1965 when professional photographer Robert Kincaid, played by Clint Eastwood, travels to Winterset to photographic the iconic covered bridges for a National Geographic story. 

Kincaid meets Italian war bride Francesca Johnson, played by Meryl Streep, who is married to an Iowa farmer and lives in rural Madison County. While her husband and children are away, Kincaid and Johnson have a brief four-day love affair. The movie is a testament to true love and the need to also consider the implications of this love on other family members.

While the movie theme (let’s get real here, it’s adultery), might not be appropriate for younger kids, my kids still enjoyed visiting the bridges as part of our trip to Winterset. My two younger kids (ages 11 and 9)  know there’s a movie about the bridges that was filmed in the town, but they didn’t ask for specifics and we didn’t offer. 🙂

How to get to the City of Winterset, Iowa

If you’d like to plan a trip to Winterset, it’s pretty easy to find. Just southwest of Des Moines, Winterset is easily accessible from both Interstate 80 and Interstate 35. From I-80, take US Highway 6 / 169  south for about 13 miles. From I-35, take County Highway G50 toward St. Charles and drive for about 13 miles to Winterset. 

At 40 minutes from Des Moines, 2 ½ hours from Kansas City, just under 2 hours from Omaha, and about 2 ½ hours from my house in Eastern Iowa, Madison County is the perfect location for a quick weekend getaway!

About The City of Winterset

Winterset is the seat of Madison County in rural Central Iowa. With a population of just over 5,000 people, it’s a quintessential Iowa farm town. Don’t let its small size fool you though! Winterset absolutely offers visitors plenty of fun: lovely farms, rolling hills, historic museums, delicious restaurants including several wineries and a cidery too, plus independently owned and operated stores and gift shops. 

In fact, Winterset won the “Outstanding Retail Experience” award at the 2019 Iowa Tourism Conference! Kids and adults alike will have plenty of fun in Winterset.

Finding all of the Madison County Bridges

One of the biggest draws to Winterset is of course the covered bridges. And if you’re heading to Madison County, you will definitely want to see them all. While they do have similarities, they are different enough to warrant at least a quick stop at each one. 

Remember when families used to have time to go on weekend drives? How did life get so busy that we can’t do this anymore? Or maybe it’s just my current lot in life as a busy mom of four insanely busy kids. If you live in Iowa and haven’t explored the scenic byways, you really should make time to bring those weekend drives back! Iowa’s scenic byways are simply fantastic.

Here’s a map with locations of the Madison County Covered Bridges

A. Imes Bridge – 500 E Main St, St Charles

B. Holliwell Bridge – 123 Holliwell Bridge Rd, Winterset

C. Cutler-Donahoe Bridge – 300 S 9th St, Winterset

D. Cedar Bridge – 1874 Nature Ct, Winterset

E. Hogback Bridge – 1879 Hogback Bridge Rd, Winterset

F. Roseman Covered Bridge – 2451 Elder Berry Ave, Winterset

G. Town of Winterset

Facts about the Covered Bridges of Madison County

Many people wonder why the bridges were covered in the first place and the answer is pretty simple. It was to protect the large flooring timbers from the weather. They were the most expensive parts of the bridges so county officials covered them out of practicality and frugality. 

Originally, there were 19 covered bridges in Madison County but only six are left today. All six remaining bridges are within an 11-mile radius of Winterset and they are all part of the beautiful Covered Bridges Scenic Byway. 

Some of the bridges are in their original location, and others have been moved. You can still drive across one bridge, the Cedar Bridge, and I recommend that you do!

The Cedar Bridge was originally built in 1883, but has twice been the victim of arson. It was recently rebuilt for the second time and now contains a state-of-the-art fire suppression system which you can see in my video. Itt;s all of those the yellow canisters hanging from the ceiling of the bridge.

Winterset Iowa Hotels & Beautiful Places to Stay

Winterset has many types of places to stay including The Cobblestone Inn & Suites, the Covered Bridge Inn, and several Bed and Breakfasts and Airbnbs as well. We stayed at two different places and loved them both. 

Harriet’s House Airbnb 

This lovely home is a completely remodeled 70s ranch that sleeps eight with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It’s situated on ten beautiful acres just north of town. Stroll through the gardens, check out the chickens, and enjoy the beautiful views of rolling hills. We loved our night at Harriet’s House! 

An Airbnb can be a great accommodation for families or larger groups who want kitchens and lots of room. New Airbnb guests get $40 off a $75 stay or $15 off a $50 stay credit when booking with my link!

Judge Lewis House B&B 

If you prefer to stay in the town of Winterset, check out the Judge Lewis House. With wonderful hosts, luxurious beds, delicious breakfast and an evening snack, you’ll be glad you did. We really enjoyed meeting hosts Kayla and Mark who accommodate kids as much as they do adults. My farm kids fell in love with the dog, the fainting goats who wouldn’t faint, and horses living in town at the Judge Lewis House.

Location: 1145 W Summit Street Winterset  | 515-462-5141 

Restaurants in Winterset Iowa and Madison County

Bring your appetite and stretchy pants to Madison County because you’ll need it! We prefer to try out independently owned and operated restaurants when we’re on the road and here are a few places you’ll want to stop!

Northside Cafe

There’s good reason the Northside Cafe was named one of Iowa’s 99 Restaurants to Try. Located on the downtown square and also featured in the Bridges of Madison County movie, this cafe features locally sourced from-scratch cooking by owner / chef Walter Jahncke and is known for its “creative twists on Iowa comfort food.”

We were treated to a wonderful meal at the cafe and loved everything we tried! Some of our favorites were the from-scratch onion rings, the homemade Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Fried Steak, and the sinful Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte. Enjoy a meal at the long counter, or sit in the John Wayne booth. But whatever you do, don’t miss having a meal here!

Location: 61 East Jefferson Street Winterset | 515.462.1523

The Hare & The Hound in Earlham 

Located in a restored historic building in the Bricker-Price Block, The Hare & The Hound serves quick-fired artisan pizzas, sandwiches, salads, homemade soups and more. They offer vegetarian and vegan options as well. 

It’s a family-friendly restaurant that my family really enjoyed. My kids say don’t miss the dessert cookies and I liked the shrimp scampi! The Dessert Monster Cookie topped with ice cream was probably the hit of the meal!

Location: 105 S. Chestnut Ave Earlham | 515-758-3980

The Bakery Unlimited 

Located next to the theater on the old-fashioned square, you won’t want to miss stopping here! This cute, old-fashioned bakery features home baked donuts and delicious apple fritters made with apples hand picked from their own local apple trees! Make sure to stop in if you need a quick breakfast or snack. 

Location: 119 John Wayne Dr, Winterset | 515-462-2261

The Cellar 

Need a cup of coffee? Head to The Cellar. When I asked where to get coffee after buying donuts at The Bakery Unlimited, several people recommended The Cellar. We were not disappointed. Located just around the square, it was a quick walk and The Dark Side of the Farm Roast from Pammell Park Coffee Company was delicious!

Location: 111 South 1st Ave Winterset | 515-462-4776

A couple places that we didn’t get a chance to try, but would will – Covered Bridges Winery and the Winterset Cidery. If you like wine and hard apple cider, stop and see what you think! Then let me know. 🙂 

What to do in Winterset Iowa and Madison County

Winterset City Park – Clark Tower and the Hedge Maze

The Winterset City Park is where you’ll find the Cutler-Donahoe Bridge, Clark Tower, and the Hedge Maze. You can hike out to the Clark Tower or drive there if the weather is bad or there are mobility issues. 

Location: 330 South 9th Street, Winterset | 515-462-3258

Des Moines Skydivers

Is skydiving your jam? If so, head check out Des Moines Skydivers. Located at the Winterset-Madison County Airport right outside town, Des Moines Skydivers offer tandems, jump courses, and skydiving for experienced skydivers too. 

Location: 3405 N 8th Ave. Winterset | 515- 243-1711 

Pammell State Park

Located near Roseman Bridge, Pammell State Park is part of Travel Iowa’s 99 Parks campaign! Remember all the fun we had promoting that campaign this year? Dedicated in 1928, Pammell State Park is one of the oldest state parks in Iowa.

Head out to Pammell State Park for lovely hiking, geocaching, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, yurts, camping sites, some of the oldest oak trees in all of Iowa, and the only highway tunnel in Iowa, dug out of the limestone backbone!

Location: 1818 Pammel Park Rd, Winterset | 515 462-3536

Courthouse Historic District Award Winning Shops

We did not get to explore the stores that much, (to my chagrin) but I am excited to go back to Winterset to explore them soon! Piece Works Quilt Shop in the Winterset Historic District was named one of the top ten quilt stores in the entire US in 2018 by the Quilt Sampler magazine. 

And I have heard a lot about the 1st Avenue Collective, an artisan market in Winteret’s old jail house! From flowers, to fibers, cloth, clothes, gifts, and more, you’re sure to find something in an independently owned shop in Winterset.

Learn more about the shops here.

John Wayne Museum

Did you know John Wayne was born in Winterset and that Winterset is the home of the only museum solely dedicated to him? Located next to the home where John Wayne was born, this 6100 square foot museum is filled with artifacts all about John Wayne, and over 1 million people have visited since it opened in 1982.

Location: 205 S. John Wayne Dr. Winterset | 515-462-1044

Iowa Quilt Museum

If you’re a quilter, you’ll have to stop at the Iowa Quilt Museum. Located on the Square in the old JC Penney store, the Iowa Quilt Museum showcases the craft of quilt making. If you are lucky enough to have a quilt hand sewn by your grandmother or great-grandmother, you will know what a special gift it is.

Location: 68 E. Court Avenue Winterset | 515-462-5988

Madison County Historical Complex

If you enjoy Living History Farms in Des Moines, you will also enjoy The Madison County Historical Complex. The museum reminded us a little of House on the Rock in Wisconsin (but a much, much smaller scale). It just kept going and going and included lovely collections of fossils, Native American artifacts, early farm equipment and household items, clothing, vehicles and more. 

Don’t let the word “museum” scare you from visiting with your kids, though. It’s so much more! We really enjoyed walking around a few of the 18 acres this complex encompasses. It includes 14 historic buildings that have been moved there and restored. Other fun exhibits included the 1856 Bevington-Kaser House, the brick two seater toilet house, and the barn complete with broody chickens and chicks! 

Location: 815 S 2nd Ave Winterset | 515-462-2134 

Covered Bridge Festival

Every second full weekend in October, Winterset hosts the annual two-day Covered Bridge Festival with live music, a parade, old-time demonstrations, arts and crafts, a food festival, car show, bridge tours and more. 2019 marked the 50th Anniversary of this festival! Bookmark this page or call the Madison County Chamber of Commerce to learn more about next year’s festival. 

Madison County Chamber of Commerce: 73 Jefferson St Winterset | 515-462-1185

The Pumpkin Ranch 

If you visit Winterset in the fall, you’ll have to go to The Pumpkin Ranch, open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in September and October. Your admission fee includes a hayrack ride to the fields to choose your pumpkin or gourd (there is an additional charge), 10-acre Mega Corn Maze offering checkpoints and a mystery game, jump pillow for big kids and a little kids area for the tykes. 

Zip lines and two tunnel slides await your arrival, as well as my kids’ favorite: Warrior Ninja Course! The loved this course so much that our family was inspired to build our own! The pumpkin patch also offers horseback rides and a petting zoo on  special dates, so you’ll want to check The Pumpkin Patch’s Facebook page.

Location: 2425 Hiatt Apple Trail Winterset |  515-490-9281

There you have it! Where to eat, where to stay, what to see, and how to find the bridges on your next trip to Madison County, Iowa! I hope you’re inspired to make the trip!

Have you been to Winterset? Are you planning to go? What are you most excited to see and do there? And if you made it through the whole post,  THANK YOU! Please leave me a comment and share this post with a friend who may be interested too! 

If you’re looking for more amazing places to visit in Iowa, go here!

Unwind in Charles City at the Red Cedar Lodge

America Gothic House in Eldon

Visit the I-80 Trucking Museum and Rest Stop

Pella Tulip Time – Holland in Iowa

Get out and Explore Iowa’s 99 Parks

If you’re looking for amazing places to visit in Iowa, you’ll find lots of adventure at Iowa’s many county parks. From boating, swimming, hiking, exploring, biking, and more, so there are so many fun things to in Iowa! Here’s a sampling of the fun that awaits in Iowa!

*This post is sponsored by Travel Iowa for the #99Parks program. All opinions are mine.*

Get Out and Explore Iowa’s County Parks!

We didn’t have to travel far from home to have fun outdoor experiences with our family. Sometimes, a getaway in your own backyard is just what you need. We were excited to explore two lovely Iowa parks earlier this summer. We experienced stunning views, beautiful cabins, a fun boat ride on the Mississippi River, and so much more. If you haven’t explored outside in Eastern Iowa, here are several adventures you shouldn’t miss! Grab this Family Fun Car Activity Kit and hit the road in Iowa!

Rock Creek Marina & Campground in Clinton County

Rock Creek County Park outside Camanche (37 miles upriver from the Quad Cities) is great for families and kids of all ages. Home of the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center, Rock Creek Marina is a lovely destination on the backwaters of the Mississippi River.

Younger children will enjoy exploring the Eco Tourism Center where they can crawl through a mock beaver’s den, touch animal furs and live fish, and solve animal puzzles. The kitchen offers home baked goods and home cooked lunch specials! And they have lots of water rentals everyone will enjoy.

We loved exploring the Mississippi River backwaters while we were at Rock Creek Marina. We took at kayaks and paddle boats to explore the water. Rock Creek Marina also has hiking trails and plenty of great fishing spots too. Make sure to download this handy outdoor guide for kids to take along on your trip to Rock Creek Marina or any of Iowa’s county parks!

One activity we were really surprised by was watching the bats on their evening flight to the river! Every evening, hundreds of bats wake up and head out for their nighttime breakfast, and they fly right over the road near the Rock Creek Marina campground. We had a lot of fun walking out to their flight path and watching them head for breakfast. So amazing and what a beautiful sunset!

Blue Heron Eco Sunset River Cruise

The real highlight of our time at Rock Creek Marina was the Blue Heron Eco River Sunset Cruise on a 26-passenger pontoon boat. Free and open to the public, everyone should jump on board the Blue Heron to learn about the Mighty Mississippi, its wildlife, ecosystem, barges, and most importantly, watch the sunset over the Mississippi River! 

Led by informative and fun naturalists from Rock Creek Marina, this cruise happens every Thursday evening from May to  October, weather permitting. Cruises are free but reservations are required. Learn more here!

Cabin Rentals at Rock Creek Marina

Not only does Rock Creek Marina offer camping, they also have cabins for rent. We stayed in the Pintail Cabin on our visit and appreciated the attention to detail that went into making this cabin ADA accessible. It has beds for four and a sleeper sofa for two more. 

You will need to bring your own bedding, towels, and kitchen supplies as nothing in the kitchen is supplied other than appliances and a coffee maker. Rock Creek Marina also has smaller cabins and campsites for rent as well. Learn more about these Iowa cabin rentals here.

Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill

If you’re looking for a place to eat while you’re at Rock Creek Marina, we recommend the Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill in Princeton, Iowa. At 10 minutes from Rock Creek Marina, we found it to be a great close choice. We enjoyed sitting on the deck overlooking the Mississippi River while we ate. With a full service menu and fun drinks, you’ll all find something delicious to eat here!

Scott County Park

Another one of Iowa’s amazing county parks is Scott County Park. Located nine miles north of Davenport, Iowa, at 1280 acres there’s plenty of fun places to explore here. It’s only about a 20 minute drive from Rock Creek Marina, so you can hit them both in one long weekend! 

We headed out to Scott County Park after spending a night at Rock Creek Marina. The weather was hot and the kids were looking forward to the Scott County Park Pool and ice cream at the Pioneer Village. Scott County Park also offers hiking and biking, nature trails, equestrian areas, and lots of lovely picnic spots as well.

Scott County Park Pool

My kids really enjoyed the pool at Scott County Park. Featuring an Olympic size heated swimming pool, water slides, diving boards, and a spray pad, the pool was the perfect place to cool off after a long day of exploring. We found the best time to go to the pool was late evening. Fewer people, lovely sunsets, and good natured lifeguards made our time at the pool one of the highlights at Scott County Park.

Dan Nagle Walnut Grove Pioneer Village

Step back in time at the Pioneer Village at Long Grove, just outside Scott County Park. Featuring log cabins, a historic church, and a small village, the Pioneer Village buildings all feature period furniture and accessories so you can see how people used to live. The dental and hospital clinics are always scary hits. If you time your visit right, you can see working demonstrations by blacksmiths and other craftspeople.

But the real draw to the village is the Walnut Grove Soda Fountain. Open on the weekends only, this old fashioned soda fountain / ice cream parlor is a must stop! The ice cream was cold, delicious, and very affordable – the perfect treat during really hot weather. Make sure to ask for the monthly ice cream special. I had the Train Wreck which included every topping they had and was surprisingly good! We also sampled the banana split and old fashioned sodas. Everything was delicious.

Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead

Another interesting and quick stop near Scott County Park is the Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead. Built in 1847 by Bill Cody’s father to be the farm for a senator, the Cody family ended up living here instead. This limestone home has been restored and is furnished in period pieces as it would have looked when the Cody family lived here. The adults enjoyed this walk-through more than the kids, but two live buffalo on the grounds were a real treat! 

Bald Eagle Cabin

Scott County Park also offers several really nice cabins for rent in Iowa! We were thrilled to stay in a brand new, cozy cabin on our trip. The Bald Eagle Cabin is a very nicely appointed cabin with comfortable beds for 10! You’ll also need to bring your own bedding and towels to stay at the Scott County Park cabins, but this cabin was equipped with a fully stocked kitchen so you can leave your cooking supplies at home. Learn more about Scott County Park cabin options here.

Make sure to download the Family Fun Guide activity packs from Travel Iowa while you’re planning your trip to Iowa’s fun state parks! With lots of activities to get the kids moving outside, entertain them in the car, teach them about fishing, and Iowa trivia and wildlife information, there’s something for everyone in these packs! Parents, you’ll find the recipes and packing lists helpful too!

I’d love to hear which Iowa parks you’ve visited and what you loved most about them! Tell me about your Iowa favorite adventure! 

If you liked this post on fun things to do in Iowa, you will like these posts full of more amazing places to visit in Iowa!

Unwind in Charles City at the Red Cedar Lodge

America Gothic House in Eldon

Visit the I-80 Trucking Museum and Rest Stop

Pella Tulip Time – Holland in Iowa