Covered Bridges Scenic Byway

05/27/2026

Two of these scenic views look very familiar to us along the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway in Madison County, Iowa! Come and see them for yourself!

05/19/2026

Another of our series of Mini Vacation ideas is here! This one is John Wayne-themed in honor of his upcoming Birthday Celebration. Did you know that he lived in two towns within Madison County in his childhood? Winterset and Earlham! Both have plenty to offer visitors. Here are a few suggestions on how to spend your time in Madison County if you're a fan! , , , ,

05/05/2026

If the experts are right, many people will be staying closer to home this year, and looking for inexpensive vacation options. So we've come up with some Madison County Mini Vacation ideas. Whether it's a day trip, an overnight, or weekend stay, these four itineraries should suit everyone. (Our favorite just might be "Off the Beaten Path" - a true backroads adventure!) Seeking more information about any or all of these? Head to exploremadisoncounty.com or leave a comment below. , ,

05/04/2026

"The best thing about traveling the back roads might be the sense of discovery. You're tooling along through the countryside, enjoying the view, when a sign tells you to slow to 55 miles, then 45, then 35. You're coming to a town. You don't know what you're going to find. Each town is like a gift waiting to be unwrapped." - Jennifer Wilding, FedCommunities. Photo by Teddi Yaeger.

Raise your hand if you love to travel the back roads!

04/28/2026

Iowa surprises a lot of travelers! Here are just some of the ways according to TheTraveler.org.

A one-week Midwest road trip across Iowa revealed bluffs, immigrant towns, quirky film sites and scenic byways that challenged every flyover stereotype.

04/13/2026

Great ideas for travel along I-35 in Iowa!

As you cruise through Iowa on I-35, take a few short detours to stretch your legs and enjoy beautiful sights, family fun and history.

04/01/2026

You've heard of jet-setting but what about "set-jetting," the latest vacation trend? Travelers are looking to visit movie sites and while Iowa might not seem an obvious choice, check out these feature films that were shot (in part or in their entirety) in Iowa, including our own claim to fame along the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway!

The Bridges of Madison County (1995) - We're partial to this one, starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, who also directed. Filmed almost in its entirety in Winterset, with one scene filmed in Adel, it's the movie that put us on the map! Visitors can tour the two covered bridges used in the movie, as well as most of the other filming locations!

The Crazies (2010) - Starring Timothy Olyphant, this horror film's locations included Lenox and Winterset, Iowa, as well as Georgia.

Cold Turkey (1971) - This Norman Lear comedy starred Dick Van D**e, Jean Stapleton, Tom Poston, and others in the fictional town of Eagle Rock, Iowa, who attempt to quit smoking in order to earn $25 million from a to***co company. The movie was filmed in the real towns of Greenfield, Orient and Winterset.

Twister (1996) - Despite the movie being set in Oklahoma, some of the movie's epic scenes were actually filmed in Iowa, including Ames, Boone, and Guthrie.

Children of the Corn (1984 and 2009) - The Stephen King horror story has been filmed twice in Iowa - once in 1984 in the towns of Sioux City, Whiting, and Hornick, and then again in 2009 in the towns of Davenport, Princeton, and Tipton.

The Straight Story (1999) - We wish more people were familiar with this great movie directed by David Lynch and starring Richard Farnsworth and Sissy Spacek. It's the true story of Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old, who learns that his estranged brother, Lyle, is critically ill. Unable to drive, Alvin embarks on a journey from Iowa to Mt. Zion by riding a lawn mower. Filmed in West Bend at the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, Laurens, Clermont, and Lansing.

Country (1984) - Starring Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard as a couple working against the odds to save their farm. Filmed in Dunkerton, Readlyn, and Waterloo.

Field of Dreams (1989) - Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella is inspired by a voice he can't ignore to pursue a dream he can hardly believe. Ray begins the quest by turning his ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams can come true. Starring Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Burt Lancaster, and 2026 Oscar winner Amy Madigan, this is the quintessential movie about Iowa. Filmed in Dyersville, Farley, and Dubuque.

03/26/2026

It's Opening Day and time once again for America's favorite pastime! Did you know that one of the best players in history was born in Winterset, Iowa?

Fred Clarke was born on October 3, 1872 in Winterset, Iowa, to farmer William D. and Lucy (Cutler) Clarke, in a family of five boys and seven girls (brother Joshua was also a Major League ballplayer). Clarke spent a lot of time on a ball diamond as a youngster. He signed with the Louisville Colonels in 1894 and hit .347 in his first full season in 1895. Winning over fans and fellow players alike, Clarke was named manager in 1897 and saw limited success leading the team. But when the Colonels ceased play in 1900, Pittsburgh Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss brought several of the best Louisville players to Pittsburgh – including Clarke and Honus Wagner.

Dreyfuss immediately named Clarke captain/manager. The team went from a seventh place finish in 1899 to second place in Clarke’s first season in Pittsburgh in 1900. Clarke led the Pirates to pennants from 1901-1903 and 1909, and a World Series championship in 1909. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1902 season (103–36) still stands as the fewest losses in a modern-era MLB season (since 1900).

“You’ve got to love baseball and want to play it above all else,” Clarke said. “You have to take every opportunity to practice and play. And not be discouraged. The most important thing is desire.”

Clarke batted better than .300 11 times, stole more than 30 bases seven times and led NL left fielders in fielding percentage twice. As a manager, Clarke won 1,602 games with a .576 winning percentage.

“As a player, Clarke's name will go down in history as one of the greatest in the game. In his prime, he was a remarkable batsman,” said sportswriter William Slocum. Baseball Hall of Fame historian Lee Allen stated that "He was one of the fastest base runners of all time. He used his elbows in running as much as his legs and tried to jar the ball loose whenever the infielders held it. "

Clarke passed away on Aug. 14, 1960 in Winfield, Kansas. Clarke was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945 - one of only six Iowans to be honored there.

02/17/2026

Actual words left in the Dreamers Journal on Hogback Covered Bridge in Madison County, Iowa, along the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway. Aren't they beautiful? Isn't this why we travel?

01/29/2026