Destination Heartland: Winterset, Iowa

Step straight into the pages of a romance novel and the golden age of Hollywood cinema in Winterset, Iowa—a town that effortlessly proves classic Americana is alive and thriving.
Just 2 and a half hours from Kansas City, Winterset, Iowa is set against the rolling, wooded hills of Madison County, this picture-perfect destination is world-renowned for its iconic 19th-century covered bridges and as the proud birthplace of cinematic legend John Wayne.
At its heart lies one of the most vibrant historic courthouse squares in the Midwest, where you can sip craft coffee, tour world-class textile exhibits at the Iowa Quilt Museum, and grab an award-winning tenderloin at a cafe immortalized on the silver screen.
Whether you’re climbing a hidden stone castle tower in the woods or embarking on a scenic drive across historic wooden bridges, Winterset delivers an enchanting, nostalgic getaway that feels both comfortably familiar and unforgettable.

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