Here’s your go-to list for what to do in Madison County, whether you’re visiting for a few hours or a full weekend getaway. Thank you to the Madison County Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring our visit! Please note all opinions and views are my own.
Visit the Famous Bridges of Madison County
First things first, you can’t visit Madison County without seeing the iconic covered bridges—each with its own story and unique feel. There are six bridges total, but here are the ones I recommend prioritizing:
- Roseman Bridge: Probably the most famous of them all. This bridge was featured heavily in the movie plus there is a little gift shop open on site here too! It’s a great option to start here and wander around for some great images, then pop in the shop for some souvenirs. They even have the movie playing for you to watch.
- Hogback Bridge: This one is quite long and a popular one to photograph as you can get great angles for the shot!
- Cutler-Donahoe Bridge: Located right inside Winterset City Park, this one is easy to find and perfect if you’re short on time. It’s stunning at sunset too.
- Cedar Bridge: Unique because it’s the last remaining bridge you can drive through (just nothing larger than
a minivan). While the original bridge was burned down by two separate arsons, this replica was built in
2019.
Pro Tip: Grab a map from the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center or download a bridge tour route to make it easier to hit them all and learn it’s unique features and lengths.
Explore Winterset City Park
Winterset City Park is one of those places you visit “just to check it out” and end up staying much longer than planned. This 76-acre park is home to the Cutler-Donahoe Bridge, a stone Clark Tower with views of the Middle River Valley, plus several hiking trails and even a hedge maze!
If you’re traveling in an RV like us, the park also offers a quiet and affordable campground right there in town too! We ended up staying at the City Park Campground in the RV and it was the perfect little spot for our exploring. We loved how close we were to the downtown square!
Stroll Through the Farmers Market
If you’re in town on a Saturday (May through October), make time to visit the Madison County Farmers Market on the Courthouse Square. It’s located right in the heart of downtown Winterset and I was impressed with it’s offerings! There were so many vendors there with fresh produce, local baked goods, handmade goodies, flowers, and even live music too. It was the perfect way to start the day and even get your bearings for the town square.
Coffee Break at Petite Café
For your caffeine fix, I highly receommend Petite Café, a cozy local shop in downtown. The space is small but so quaint and the lovely ladies working there were so friendly. We ordered lattes and pastries, but they also offer heartier breakfast options too! Everything was wonderful and I’m bummed I didn’t get to visit again before we left. This is one of my top recommendations to make to visit while exploring here!
Dive into History
Winterset has some incredibly well-curated museums, all within walking distance:
- The Birthplace of John Wayne: I was really impressed with this museum! Overall it was well curated and shared several aspects of The Duke’s life. You can even tour his home where he was born right here in Winterset. My favorite parts of the museum were diving more into his film history and seeing the memorabilia and film artifacts.
- Iowa Quilt Museum: Even if you’re not a quilter, this place is unique and interesting! Learn a bit of quilting history while admiring the current exhibit on display. They change frequently and showcase incredible craftsmanship and storytelling.
- Madison County Historical Complex: This spot is a hidden gem! This was probably my favorite of the museums we visited because they have a variety of historic buildings you can walk through on property. Its literally like stepping back in time. There was an old post office, mercantile, school house, gas station and even blacksmith. I explored each building and it was just like being frozen in time. This is a great option to explore on a nice day since you can stretch your legs a bit and wander around!
Sip Cider at Winterset Cidery
Just outside of town is the Winterset Cidery, a perfect mid day break! It’s situated on a hill with sweeping views and the property is just gorgeous. They craft small-batch cider and no joke, it’s some of the best cider I’ve tasted. Even my partner, Eric was impressed and he’s not much of a cider drinker! This place always has something going on whether it’s live music or food trucks (we had both when we went!) And it was just a great spot to sit back and relax. I recommend doing a flight to sample a few (the Lime Habanero was my favorite!).
Dinner at The Urban Taproom
End your day with dinner at The Urban Taproom, a laid-back restaurant and bar right in Winterset. The must-try? Their John Wayne Casserole—a hearty, comforting dish with a local flair. I won’t tell you what’s in it because that is a surprise of its own when you get to the restaurant! Regardless, everything there was delicious and the staff was super friendly! Bonus: they’ve got a great selection of their owned brewed beer and Iowa beers on tap, too
More to Explore: On Our List for Next Time
There’s always more to see in Madison County, and a few spots we didn’t make it to this time are definitely on our radar for the next trip:
- Rusty Stars Alpaca Hikes – Did you know you can actually hike with alpacas? This experience sounds magical and is definitely high on our list for a return visit. You can also just visit the farm to see and learn about the Alpacas on their open days as well!
- Speckled Hen Farm Store – A charming little farm shop just outside of town that sells local goods, produce, and handmade items. I’ve heard it’s the perfect stop if you love a good country market vibe – plus they have great events thorough the summer like Fridays at the Farm – featuring live music and local wine offerings.
- The Drift– A newer restaurant and taproom in Winterset with a modern, seasonal menu and cozy interior. Several locals recommended it for dinner, so it’s a must-try for our next trip!
If you check these out before we do—let me know how they are!
Final Thoughts
We loved our visit to Madison County and I definitely want to come back and explore! It seems like it would be the most charming in fall, especially when it hosts their Covered Bridge Festival! Whatever time of year you visit, I can garuarntee you’ll enjoy this Midwestern gem. So if you’re road-tripping through Iowa or looking for a small-town escape, add Winterset and Madison County to your list!