Location: Winterset
Top Things to do in Winterset
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What to do and see in Winterset, Iowa (IA): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Winterset is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,190 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Madison County. Winterset is part of the Des Moines − West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. Winterset is the birthplace of actor John Wayne.
Restaurants in Winterset
1. John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 450 reviews
Tour the modest 4-room home where John Wayne was born, and visit the John Wayne Birthplace Museum featuring the largest diversified exhibit of John Wayne artifacts in existence, including original movie posters, film wardrobe, scripts, letters, artwork and sculpture--even one of his customized automobiles. Admission includes the Museum, a visit to the Birthplace house, and a small theater with a documentary on John Wayne's life, with a special welcome by his daughter Aissa.
Reviewed By b2dave8255
We stopped in the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum during our stay just outside of Des Moines. As a John Wayne fan, this was a bucket list item for me. The staff was very friendly and the lady that greeted us and gave us the tour of the house was a bigger John Wayne fan than me, never thought that was possible. She made our day! The gift shop had several souvenir items, books clothes etc to choose from. The museum had several movie costumes and props to enjoy. Thanks to all the staff on duty September 1st 2020 for all your help!
2. Roseman Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By 570creative - San Antonio, United States
Nice gift shop next door. Note you will drive on dusty gravel roads to get to this location. Hogback Bridge has the same design.
3. Madison County Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Madison County is the Covered Bridge Capital of Iowa, with the largest group of covered bridges that exists in one area in the western half of the Mississippi Valley. Six of the original nineteen covered bridges remain, five of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Roseman Covered Bridge and Holliwell Covered Bridge were both featured in the film "The Bridges of Madison County", and the Cedar Covered Bridge was featured on the cover of the novel "The Bridges of Madison County". The Madison County Chamber of Commerce specializes in guided personal and group tours of the covered bridges and other historic sites around Madison County.
Reviewed By 718teresag - Alamosa, United States
The welcome center is located in 1 of the historic buildings on the square in Winterset. They carry a very nice assortment of high-quality gift items, such as hand-crafted cutting boards, hotpads, etc, all at very reasonable prices. The staff was very helpful in supplying us with a map which directed us to the covered bridges in the area (those bridges are a MUST SEE if you're anywhere near this area!). We visited the little bakery (also located in 1 of the historic buildings on the square) & had some nice treats there while visiting with the couple who own it. We also visited a few of the shops on the square, including Ben Franklin. We drove up to a stone structure (they can direct you at the welcome center) that basically went through the forest (very pretty). Winterset is the birthplace of John Wayne, so there is a John Wayne museum there, as well as the house that he grew up in. Some of the covered bridges were featured in "The Bridges of Madison County" & they are amazing! We also visited the Covered Bridge Winery, which is just outside Winterset...very good wine!
4. Courthouse Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By 718teresag - Alamosa, United States
The courthouse is beautiful, inside & out. The square is also beautiful, with historic buildings galore, including a Ben Franklin & a very good bakery. Homes in the surrounding area are beautiful...we got a map at the welcome center & drove through the surrounding neighborhood in search of "quilt blocks" that are on many of them, known as the "quilt trail". Lots of fun!
5. Holliwell Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By Oldtravellers50 - Mize, United States
I loved the bridge tour and am so glad we didn't miss t his one. It was located in the park and easy to get to. It is a beautiful and well preserved bridge like the ones I remember from my early childhood. I only wish that visitors to these old relics didn't have a need to carve or write their initials/names on the walls. In spite of that, it is still a great piece of history well worth seeing. Easy to find. No tour guide needed. Tour at your own pace. It is free.
6. Cutler-Donahoe Bridge
7. Hogback Covered Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By QueenMiller - Stewartsville, United States
Set apart and out by itself and very secluded. It has beautiful scenery of woods and river surrounding it so perfect for pictures or a picnic. What a great solid bridge! I hope to see it with my kids someday!
8. Iowa Quilt Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
With 25-30 quilts on display at a time, the Iowa Quilt Museum's mission is to promote the appreciation of the American Quilt and the art of quilting through displays of quilts and information about quilts. Exhibits change every 3-4 months. Our beautifully historic building is a top-notch backdrop for the beauty of the American Quilt.
Reviewed By tdrobinson3 - San Luis Obispo, United States
We enjoyed the many quilts on display and their giftshop has many wonderful items. The women were also helpful in finding a good place to eat.
9. Pammel Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By 570creative - San Antonio, United States
Geting to the park was a challenge for my friend and I driving our RVs. The Park states that the main entrance goes through an old stone tunnel with a maximum clearance of 12'4". That is too low for Class A motorhome. Fortunately, a local young man led us over 5 miles of dusy gravel country roads to avoid the tunnel and cross through the water over the dam!! OMG! That was a first! Being assured by another RV owner that the bridge clearance is 4 inches more, we were able to exit under the tunnel, carefully & slowly, with no problem. The turns are tight though. The campground sites are nice with a small concrete patio and a couple have some shade.
10. Clark Tower
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By 718teresag - Alamosa, United States
The drive up to the tower is very nice, passing basically through the forest (especially pretty in fall). The structure is beautiful & there is a nice view from it. Get directions at the welcome center in Winterset.
