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    Recommended Reviews - Norwalk Freedom Rock

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    Iowa State Capitol - Iowa Supreme Court

    Iowa State Capitol

    4.6(84 reviews)
    8.3 mi

    WOW! The Law Library looks straight out of a fairytale. I swear it looks like the inspiration for…read moreBelle's library in Beauty and the Beast. The gorgeous murals and senate chambers were also impressive. We stopped here on a whim during a recent road trip and were pleasantly surprised by its grandeur and beauty. They offered a free tour, but we opted for a self guided tour instead so we could go on our own pace. We came on a Friday afternoon and someone who worked there told us it's the best day to visit since the place is so busy Mon-Thurs when legislators are in session, that it's often difficult to find a parking spot. But on this quiet Friday morning, we parked in the front row and had no line in front of us as we went through the security metal detector.

    My visits to state capitols are few and far between, but after visiting the Iowa State Capitol, I…read morewant to make a point of visiting more whenever I travel to other states. My son started attending law school in Des Moines and so I was trying to see what the city has to offer. Visiting the capitol building was one of the things that kept popping up on things to do. We decided to check it out on a Saturday and luckily they do guided tours which I highly recommend. Completed in 1886, they have done a remarkable job preserving this place and showcasing it's beauty. It sits on top of a hill and offers great views of the city from every side. One of the first things you notice from the outside is the gold dome. The ornate outside facade carries inside where it is just as beautiful. You'll notice intricate wood decor as well as marble, gold and other beautiful materials. You can visit the historic supreme court chambers and see all the offices of state officials. The law library is by far my favorite part of the building. I felt like I was in some movie like Harry Potter or something. You have to see it in person to really comprehend the beauty. The wood and gold along with the spiraling staircases and law books stacked to the high ceiling was cool to see. If you aren't afraid of heights, you can take a long winding staircase at the top of the dome. We were one of the last tours so we didn't really get to really take our time and soak in all this place has to offer. I will most definitely come back next time I am in town visiting the kiddo. It was absolutely something I did not expect to see deep in the Midwest.

    Photos
    Iowa State Capitol - Gift Shop

    Gift Shop

    Iowa State Capitol - House of Representatives Entrance

    House of Representatives Entrance

    Iowa State Capitol - Ground floor

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    Ground floor

    Des Moines Art Center - gift shop

    Des Moines Art Center

    4.6(90 reviews)
    7.6 mi
    $

    A really nice cultural experience in the heart of Des Moines. The series of buildings includes the…read moreonly I M Pei design (same architect of the glass pyramid in the heart of the Paris Louvre). Iowa the Des Moines Art Center is a nice way to spend a few hours. Complementary admission and free parking is an added bonus and a fantastic value. And impressive selection of old world and modern art, including some more well-known artists such as Picasso, Goya, Cezanne, Miro, Lichtenstein, and an impressive selection of newer artists that definitely leave a lasting impression. I recommend that you stop, and even if only to see a few of the artists and a little bit of the architecture. Great gift shop too!

    Spent an afternoon with artists Picasso, Hopper, Warhol, Matisse, Miro, Chagall, Klee, Monet, and…read moreothers...at the fabulous Des Moines Art Center! I did not expect to see some of the world's greatest artists in Des Moines. Instead, it was an elite venue at an incredible price point. Located in Ingersoll Park, 20 minutes from Ankeny and 10 minutes from the State Capitol, the Art Center is a must-see, beautiful venue with spectacular works, considerable spaces, and gorgeous grounds. Amazingly, it is free. Loved the Samantha Box "Caribbean Dreams" exhibit, a fantastic collection of photography and art. I also loved works by Stella ("Interlagos"), Kiefer ("untitled"), Francis ("Summer #2"), and Schnabel. We also liked the postcard exhibit. The building has an awesome vibe and incredible visuals throughout its spectacular architecture. There is a great gift shop and discounted items near the entrance. Sensational guidance and kindness from the museum's docents, notably Loretta, Issac, and Gabby.

    Photos
    Des Moines Art Center
    Des Moines Art Center
    Des Moines Art Center - Sample art (Basquiat with two by Warhol on the opposite of the divider - nice pairing!)

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    Sample art (Basquiat with two by Warhol on the opposite of the divider - nice pairing!)

    Jordan House Museum - View from the parking lot

    Jordan House Museum

    5.0(3 reviews)
    7.3 mi

    I like to squeeze in a museum when I can in a city that is unfamiliar to me. This stop was truly on…read morea whim. My main reason for dropping by Des Moines was to see an Iowa Wild game. The following day, I had to leave the city and head back to Bloomington. I wanted to do a quick touristy visit somewhere. I did a search and found Jordan House Museum. Driving over here was enjoyable. The leaves were a gorgeous deep red in the area. I had no problem finding the museum. When you are pulling into the parking lot, you do not want to come in at full force. I didn't because I was checking the house out. The lot where you park your car is all gravel. When you walk up to the museum, it is thankfully cement. If you want a tour of the museum, you do need to book online. Even if you book online, it's based on demand. If there aren't enough folks who want to do the tour, it gets cancelled. I saw the cancellation sign on the door. Since I visited because I felt like it, I still learned a lot with the signs and information presented to me. I was not disappointed. I also like self-exploration, which may not be for everyone. Jordan House was built by James Cuttingham Jordan, who was an abolitionist. This house was a station on the Underground Railroad in Iowa. It ended up being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. James Jordan was a cattle farmer from Virginia. He settled in central Iowa in 1846. He was a businessman, organizing the State Bank of Des Moines. He helped bring the railroad to Des Moines. He ultimately ended up being a civic leader, and was elected to both the Iowa Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives. He helped move the state capital from Iowa City to Des Moines. I had no idea that Iowa City was once the state capital. Cool! There is a pathway to history in front of the main entrance of this house, where you can reserve a brick and have it dedicated to a special loved one. I spent a lot of time reading the messages on this pathway. It was highly enjoyable and moving on a Fall day. My favourite saying came from the Caruthers family: Be so awesome today that tomorrow is jealous!!! Three exclamation points. Love it! There was one other woman who had pulled into the lot next to my rental car. She did not do any self-exploration. She went to the main door, saw that the tour was cancelled, headed back to her vehicle, and left. The house is well-maintained on the outside. It has a veranda with a bunch of green chairs. The lawn was recently mowed. The small shrubs around the flags at the front were perfectly trimmed. I had a nice, off-the-cuff visit to this museum. I learned a lot and hope to do a tour inside the museum whenever I'm back in Des Moines for hopefully a longer visit. (458)

    Great tour. Guide was very knowledgeable. Home has several of the original articles. We took our 3…read moreteenagers, 2 girls(12&14) and a boy (15), and they all enjoyed it. Not once did they get on their phone due to boredom.

    Photos
    Jordan House Museum - Side view

    Side view

    Jordan House Museum - Shed

    Shed

    Jordan House Museum - Jordan House

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    Jordan House

    Witmer House

    Witmer House

    3.0(2 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    Probably the most ridiculous experience I have ever had! I rented this venue for a small wedding on…read more10/6/18 but the venue owner was so intrusive and on edge it was uncomfortable. He paced back and forth and would go around the room telling each of my guests that this is his home, he inserted himself in every aspect of my event and I received numerous complaints from my guests. Parking was a problem; the owner has a car under a tarp under the only carport blocking valuable parking, they said anyone who couldn't get in the driveway could use street parking but what they don't tell you is the street parking is full from the neighbors on the weekend. In my opinion this person clearly does not want to rent this place as a venue and should not in the future. If you want a truly awkward experience this is your place.

    We had a truly outstanding experience at Witmer House this weekend when we rented the venue for a…read morefamily memorial. Every detail was exceptional from the food to the decor of the house to the service provided by the hosts. The venue itself is a wonderful place to hold an event as there are several rooms for guests to visit with each other, ample parking and beautiful details throughout. The brunch that was prepared for us was fresh, unique and the perfect fare for our guests. The chocolate chip cookies were sublime. I highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for a unique, intimate yet expansive place to host a special event.

    Photos
    Witmer House
    Witmer House
    Witmer House

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    Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge

    Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge

    4.8(5 reviews)
    21.0 mi

    Constructed in 1870 by Eli Cox, this 79 foot long timber town lattice truss covered bridge is the…read moresecond oldest of the six surviving in Madison County. Originally traversing the North River, in 1979 it was moved to its present location inside Winterset City Park. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. There is ample parking, and access to the park is paved. We recommend a visit at the peak of fall foliage, when the park is breathtaking.

    As an avid amateur photographer and Iowa native... How can you not make the hop, skip, and a jump…read moredown (over or up) to explore the covered bridges of Madison County...? Here's a secret. I've never seen the movie or read the book, but I did run into Clint Eastwood and his entourage back in the day (1995ish). We weren't able to get too close though. Lol The covered bridges take you back to a much simpler time. When people and cars just weren't as complicated as they are now. The construction of each one seems to be a little unique and diffent from the next. It's too bad that they have been plagued by graffiti artists, people who can't seem to leave things as they find them, and even arson over the years. If you live within a decent driving distance you can experience the bridges in all the seasons. It might sound a little silly, but as a photographer sometimes a few months can make a world of differece in your pictures...sometimes even days. While there is curb appeal to all the bridges Roseman is probably my personal favorite. The Roseman bridge location also has a nice little gift shop you can stop at to take home a momento of your visit (open May 1st through the end of October). Don't miss the shopping opportunities in downtown Winterset. Expect to get dusty, as most of the bridges are on gravel roads, and enjoy your visit!

    Photos
    Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge - Entrance to the bridge

    Entrance to the bridge

    Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge
    Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge

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    The Bridges of Madison County

    The Bridges of Madison County

    4.9(12 reviews)
    21.2 mi

    We visited the bridges of Madison County entirely by accident during the Covered Bridge Festival…read more That just happened to be the time that we were driving through the area and we honestly had no idea until we arrived. I honestly think the timing kind of put a damper on our experience. Instead of being able to take in the bridges quietly and enjoy this scenery, there were people everywhere including loud groups and dust was getting kicked up on us constantly. It was really difficult to find parking and there was just a general sense of disturbance of the piece and the beauty of the nature surrounding us. It was also virtually impossible to get any good photographs. I know we've come a long way and our phones can remove a person or two from a picture, but crowds of people make it much more difficult. After the first few Bridges, we figured if our visit was going to be disturbed in this way, we might as well balance things out by checking out the main festival in winterset. Unfortunately, when we arrived we realized that dogs are not allowed even though it's an outdoor fair. That made it even more frustrating because we couldn't even enjoy some kennel corn to make up for the overcrowded bridge visits. All that said, the bridges themselves are still really lovely and historical and I can see why this area is loved and that people would come from all around to celebrate the bridges. I would still recommend coming to take a look at them, but definitely to avoid the festival weekend if you're looking for a more peaceful, reflective experience.

    I took a tour through the chamber of commerce and had Jewel as my tour guide. She was very…read moreinformative and fun to be around. I loved all of the history that she shared with me and all of the personal stories in between. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    The Bridges of Madison County
    The Bridges of Madison County
    The Bridges of Madison County

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    Norwalk Freedom Rock - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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