Covered Bridges Scenic Byway — Attraction in Winterset

This is a self-guided tour, although you can hire a guide to ride in your vehicle. It's was disappointing not to be able to drive right up to the bridges or even over them. (I understand the reasoning behind that.) It's difficult for people with limited mobility to access them. We gave up after the third bridge. One bridge we walked over had a lot of graffiti (some of it rather crude). You could tell it had been painted over many times. If the visitor information center is closed, stop at the Madison County Winery, and the lovely people there will provide you...

It's the annual Covered Bridge Festival. Always the second full weekend in October (barring any pandemics). Come celebrate and visit the covered bridges, the heartiness of Madison County, visit John Wayne's birthplace and museum, check out the cider, wineries, and craft beers. Vendors, artisans, world renown quilters, the home of the Delicious apple, the history of Geo. Washington Carver, pioneering splendor, and a monumental tower in the woods await. Just 25 minutes SW of Des Moines. See...

Allow 3 hours to visit mall six bridges, three on each side of town. We started at west end and broke our visit in the middle for lunch then returned next day to do the second three from the east as we were headed back to Omaha. Their app has an informative self-guided tour that...