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!

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!

My sister moved to Des Moines over a year ago and wanted to finally check out The Capitol on my…read morevisit. We were both very pleased. Absolutely beautiful garden area out in front with plenty of great photo ops. Inside, we did a guided tour and were in awe of the exquisite detail of the building and learning about its history. I recommend checking it out when in town and when the weather is nice because there are plenty of places within walking distance to grab a bite or a cup of coffee/tea.

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.

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.

First - the employee DID ask if we wanted to ride. we said "yes". instead of walking behind the…read morecounter at the carousel, he followed us a short while, then left. IF I volunteered, there still wouldn't be anyone because we ALL GO TO LUNCH AT 1030! As far as the length of our visit, it doesn't take that long to recognize your terrible attitude!

This is an absolute gem in St. Joseph!!…read more What made our visit even more special was learning just how much Gary Chilcote -- the man who created this incredible collection and continues to invest in it -- cherishes this community and its history. We spent four hours there and still didn't see everything! Did you know Abraham Lincoln came to St. Joseph -- not just once, but twice?! From the fascinating interviews with famous figures like Walter Cronkite, to the incredible collections, to an entire floor preserved to showcase the original hotel rooms in all their historic glory, there is truly something here for everyone. And what struck me most was realizing how much of this incredible museum represents the love and generosity of generations of St. Joseph families who understood the importance of preserving their community's history. Everywhere you turn, there is another story, another treasure, another piece of history that draws you in and makes you stop and wonder. Halfway through our visit, I found myself wondering about Gary and what he was doing today. So, naturally, I Googled him -- and was amazed to discover just how much this museum truly is a family affair... really, a family love affair. As someone who has always loved history, I have an enormous appreciation for the commitment Gary and his family have made -- and continue to make -- to preserving this remarkable piece of St. Joseph. And then came the most unexpected and wonderful moment of our entire visit. We literally closed the place down and still hadn't seen everything! As we were leaving, we commented to the woman at the front desk about how magnificent the collection was. As we turned to walk out, there was a gentleman sitting near the door who smiled at me. I smiled back, walked outside... and then suddenly realized: OMG -- THAT WAS GARY CHILCOTE!! I immediately turned around, walked back inside and approached him. "Are you Gary?" He responded with the kindest smile and a nod. I asked if I could shake his hand, and in that moment I was honestly overcome with chills, pride and admiration. I could hardly find the words to tell him how much I appreciated and admired the work and dedication that he and his family have poured -- and continue to pour -- into this extraordinary place. As we talked, I asked him questions about some of the history we had seen and learned, and he graciously shared even more stories with us. WOW. Just WOW. Mr. Chilcote, the honor was truly ours to meet you. Your willingness to share your knowledge, your passion for history, and your love for St. Joseph made this visit so much more than an awesome day. It was magical. Thank you for preserving these stories, these treasures and this history for generations to come. Keep up the incredible work!! And thank you for reminding us why preserving our history matters so much.

This is the Decatur County Freedom Rock. Completing the Freedom Rock tour of all 99 Iowa counties…read moreis something my girlfriend and I have been working on for the past few years. We are four rocks away from the end of our journey at this time. Not only do we learn about the military involvement and the contributions of veterans in each county... A lot of times we stumble on other hidden gems, that we had no idea even existed, as we venture further into our own backyard. As happy as I am going to be when hit 99 and finish our Freedom Rock Tour...a little part of me is going to really miss these trips. We'll just have to find another "tour" to pick up! When you are checking out each Freedom Rock make sure you explore the surrounding area for other points of interest. And please remember to support local businesses...! Visit https://www.thefreedomrock.com/ for more information on Iowa's Freedom Rocks and the tour!

Nothing says you are in Des Moines like the Travelers Sign down town…read more The umbrella sign was erected in 1963 on top of the Insurance Exchange Building on Grand Avenue in Downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The sign was the logo for the Travelers Insurance Company until the logo was abandoned in 1995. The Sign is 50-foot wide sign, that's about 40-foot tall, can easily be seen driving down I-235 and is is still one of the first sights that drivers from the east notice when approaching the downtown on I-235. This is a must for photos! You can now see the sign all over local t-shirts and mugs as a Des Moines Landmark! I personally love that our city is being covered from the storm by a giant umbrella!

Beautiful site for weddings and other celebrations. The exterior of the building itself is blocky…read moreand not that remarkable. The site is a different matter. One entrance reveals the river. Another opens to a beautiful lawn with a fountain and butterfly gardens on the borders. We saw several monarch butterflies. Inside is grand without being cold or forbidding. Note that bathrooms are in the basement and second floors. There is an elevator. Staff was very friendly.

This place is extremely beautiful. The biggest downside to here is the hours on their website are…read morenot accurate. I came here to visit the inside and the arrive to a locked door. On the door was a note saying they are only open 1 day a week. I was able to peak in the window and see all the beautiful architecture. I was also able to explore the outside grounds too. However it can be slightly frustrating if your website says it will be open but you're not actually open. Overall this place is not huge and is a walkable distance to several other things. So I recommend walk past it to see if it's open. If it's closed, visit somewhere else.