Craving small-town charm, covered bridges, and Hollywood history? Head to Winterset, Iowa! Known as the birthplace of John Wayne and home to the famous covered bridges of Madison County, Winterset offers scenic beauty, Midwestern warmth, and cultural charm in the heart of Iowa.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Winterset is in the spring through fall (April–October). Enjoy blooming flowers, fall foliage, and popular events like the Covered Bridge Festival. Winter offers quiet charm and holiday festivities.

How to Get There

  • By Car: Winterset is about 35 miles southwest of Des Moines, located along U.S. Route 169 and Iowa Highway 92.
  • By Plane: Fly into Des Moines International Airport (DSM), then drive about 45 minutes to Winterset.
  • By Bus: Intercity bus service is available to Des Moines, with car rentals or rideshares needed to reach Winterset.

Where to Stay

  • Covered Bridge Inn – Comfortable lodging with friendly service and a convenient location near downtown.
  • Heavenly Habitat Bed & Breakfast – Peaceful retreat in a former church with cozy rooms and homemade breakfast.
  • Hotel Greenfield (Nearby) – Historic boutique hotel about 30 minutes away, perfect for a romantic getaway.

Unique Museums

John Wayne Birthplace & Museum

Explore memorabilia and discover sights from an exciting Western legend.

John Wayne Birthplace & Museum

© John Wayne Birthplace & Museum

The John Wayne Birthplace Museum is located adjacent to John Wayne’s birthplace home. Since 1982, the year that the John Wayne Birthplace Society was founded, over one million people have traveled to Iowa’s historic Madison County to see the birthplace of this famous film icon, including film legend Maureen O’Hara, President Ronald Reagan, and John Wayne fans from all fifty states and forty countries. The John Wayne Birthplace and Museum features the largest diversified display of John Wayne artifacts in the world, which includes artwork, letters, contracts, scripts, film wardrobe, original movie posters, and a customized automobile.

205 S John Wayne Dr, Winterset, IA 50273, Phone: 877-462-1044

Iowa Quilt Museum

Admire intricate quilts and enjoy an unusual artistic stop.

Iowa Quilt Museum

© Iowa Quilt Museum

A popular place to explore for quilting enthusiasts, the Iowa Quilt Museum is situated on the southern side of historic Winterset’s town square. Occupying a unique storefront, the quilt museum showcases a number of changing exhibits throughout the year highlighting both new and vintage American quilts. The mission of the Iowa Quilt Museum is to promote an appreciation of the art of quilting and the American quilt through a number of exhibits providing information about the history of quilting, as well as many beautiful quilts. The historic building is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

68 E Court Ave, Winterset, IA 50273, Phone: 515-462-5988

Unique Attractions

Cedar Covered Bridge

Walk along this romantic, historic bridge featured in a beloved story.

Cedar Covered Bridge

© jerzy/stock.adobe.com

The Cedar Covered Bridge is one of Madison County’s world-famous covered bridges, situated within the Cedar Bridge County Park around three miles outside of Winterset, Iowa. The area consists of grassy expanses for a picturesque setting, as well as two gathering areas. The Jerry Schwartfeger Memorial Courtyard picnic area is on the southern side of the Cedar Bridge, while the Gazebo is on the northern side. There are also restrooms to the southwest of the bridge near the parking area. The current “Cedar Bridge” is actually the third Cedar Bridge of Madison County, with the previous two bridges destroyed by arsonists.

1874 Nature Ct, Winterset, IA 50273, Phone: 515-462-1185

Covered Bridges Winery

Savor local wines and relax during a peaceful weekend trip.

Covered Bridges Winery

© Covered Bridges Winery

Another one of Winterset’s local wineries within the rural rolling hills of Madison County, the Covered Bridges Winery is a family-owned and operated winery that gets its name from the many local iconic covered bridges. Wine enthusiasts can stop by the Covered Bridges Winery for wine tastings of handcrafted, award-winning wines made with 100-percent Iowa grown grapes and get-togethers with friends during the weekends. In addition to wine samples, bottle purchases, and wines by the glass, the winery also offers Music at the Winery concerts, yoga classes, cooking classes, and many other classes and special events.

2207 170th Trail, Winterset, IA 50273, Phone: 515-729-9463

Attractions for Couples

Iowa Theatre

Catch a classic film and enjoy an affordable, small-town movie night.

Iowa Theatre

© Iowa Theatre

The historic Iowa Theatre is in the town of Winterset, Iowa is a non-profit, multi-use performance space and movie theater, established as a place for both visitors and locals alike to gather and be entertained. New movies are shown at the Iowa Theatre Thursday to Sunday, while classic movies are shown to the public on Wednesday evenings. Unless noted otherwise, the doors of the movie theater open approximately thirty minutes before showtimes. A number of special events are also held at the Iowa Theatre throughout the year. For what’s showing at the local Winterset theater, it’s best to check their website.

121 John Wayne Dr, Winterset, IA 50273, Phone: 515-462-2979

Pammel State Park

Hike scenic trails and explore nature on a fun family outing.

Pammel State Park

© Alexander Baumann/stock.adobe.com

Known for its lush woodlands, the 350-acre Pammel State Park is a beautiful place to reconnect with nature. The carefully developed park is one of the state’s firsts, filled with a diverse range of wildflowers, native plants, as well as Iowa’s oldest oak trees. With a lot to see and do, it is quickly becoming the “park to visit” amongst locals and tourists alike. RV campers will love the park’s facilities which include dozens of modern camping sites—all equipped with electrical and water hookups, dumping stations, bathrooms, and playgrounds. There are also areas for tent camping as well as two air-conditioned yurt cabins available for rent. Day visitors can enjoy a hike through the woodlands, canoe on the river, or go fishing for the different species of catfish.

1900 Pammel Park Road, Winterset, IA 50273, Phone: 515-462-3536

If you are a first time visitor

  • Covered Bridges of Madison County – Drive or bike a scenic loop to see iconic wooden bridges, made famous by the novel and film.
  • Winterset City Park – Explore wooded trails, Clark Tower, and the Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge inside this lovely park.
  • Madison County Courthouse Square – Stroll around historic downtown shops, cafés, and the beautifully restored courthouse.

Where to Eat

  • Northside Café – Classic diner featured in *The Bridges of Madison County* movie, serving comfort food and pie.
  • Montross Pharmacy Soda Fountain – Old-fashioned soda counter with floats, shakes, and retro treats.
  • Covered Bridges Winery – Enjoy local wines, live music, and scenic vineyard views just outside town.

If you are interested in local events

  • Madison County Covered Bridge Festival (October) – Celebrate with craft vendors, food, parades, and historic tours.
  • John Wayne Birthday Celebration (May) – Western-themed fun, film screenings, and guests honoring the Duke.
  • Winterset Art Center Exhibits – Ongoing gallery shows and workshops throughout the year.

If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Winterset, Iowa

  • Des Moines (30–40 min) – Visit the Iowa State Capitol, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and lively East Village.
  • Greenfield (30 min) – Explore the Iowa Aviation Museum and charming historic downtown.
  • Red Haw State Park (30 min) – Peaceful park with wildflowers and walking trails (best in spring).
  • Earlham (20 min) – Small-town charm with craft beer at Peace Tree Brewing and nearby nature spots.
  • St. Charles (15 min) – Home to the Imes Covered Bridge and cozy wineries nearby.

FAQ

  • Why is Winterset, Iowa famous?
    • The town of Winterset, Iowa, and its iconic covered bridges were made famous by the film “Bridges of Madison County.”
  • What attractions can visitors explore in Winterset?
    • Numerous visitors come every year to explore the six famous bridges by car, bike, boat, and foot.
    • Visitors can also experience the quaint historic town square and the peaceful parks.
  • What other activities does Winterset offer?
    • Along with the scenic beauty, Winterset offers quality retail stores, theater, and local wineries.
  • What museums and historical sites are in Winterset?
    • Winterset is home to the Iowa Quilt Museum, showcasing intricate quilt artistry.
    • The town is also the birthplace of John Wayne, the legendary American film icon.

Plan Your Trip