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Personal Guided Tour of the Covered Bridges of Madison County

4.8 (36)
Winterset, US
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Personal Guided Tour of the Covered Bridges of Madison County

4.8 (36)
Winterset, US
Share
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Experience the enchanting beauty of Madison County's covered bridges on a personalized guided tour. Let our expert guides, who are all residents of the county, take you on a journey through the heart of this iconic destination. Feel like you're stepping into the pages of the famous novel and film, "The Bridges of Madison County," as you visit three of the remaining six historic bridges. Learn about their construction, the movie production, and immerse yourself in the rich local history. Walk through the bridges, capture stunning photographs, and take in the picturesque scenery that surrounds them. This two-hour tour is filled with charm, romance, and the opportunity to explore the beauty of Madison County's covered bridges like never before. Don't miss out on this unique and unforgettable experience.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 2 hours
  • Suitable for 1-10 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Explore the Roseman Covered Bridge, featured in the movie "The Bridges of Madison County"
  • Walk through the haunted Roseman Covered Bridge
  • Visit the historic Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge
  • Discover hidden gems at City Park, including an English hedge maze and Clark Tower
  • Experience the beauty and grandeur of the Holliwell Covered Bridge
  • Local guide
  • Private tour
  • Gratuities
  • Transportation to/from attractions

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More about this experience

Introduction

Embark on a captivating journey through the picturesque county of Madison, Iowa, as you explore its renowned covered bridges on a Personal Guided Tour. These iconic structures served as the inspiration and setting for the beloved novel and film "The Bridges of Madison County," and now you have the chance to immerse yourself in their rich history and charm.

What to expect?

During this two-hour tour, you can anticipate an unforgettable experience delving into the construction, anecdotes, and significance of these quaint covered bridges. Your knowledgeable guide, a resident of Madison County, will accompany you as you visit three of the county's most cherished bridges. Prepare to be enchanted by the remarkable architecture and the delightful stories surrounding these iconic landmarks. Capture plenty of photographs as you walk through the bridges, feeling the echoes of the past beneath your feet.

Who is this for?

This Personal Guided Tour caters to anyone with a curiosity for history, a love of nature, and a passion for exploring hidden gems. Whether you are a fan of "The Bridges of Madison County," an architecture enthusiast, or simply seeking a unique and immersive experience, this tour promises to captivate and educate. Regardless of age or background, you will find joy in discovering the secrets these covered bridges hold.

Why book this?

By booking this tour, you open the door to an extraordinary adventure, where you'll be transported back in time, immersed in the elegance of the late 19th century. Enjoy the rare opportunity to explore the covered bridges that served as the backdrop for a timeless love story. With an expert guide by your side, you'll gain insider knowledge about the construction and history of these bridges, as well as fascinating local anecdotes. This tour allows you to appreciate the significance of these structures, connecting you with the heart and soul of Madison County.

Good to know

Prepare to be amazed by the Roseman Covered Bridge, featured in "The Bridges of Madison County" film, and believed by some to be haunted. Discover the Cutler-Donahoe, one of the remaining covered bridges, nestled in Winterset's City Park, where you can also explore an English hedge maze and Clark Tower, a hidden gem resembling a castle. Lastly, make sure to take in the beauty of the Holliwell Covered Bridge, the longest among Madison County's bridges, gracefully spanning over Middle River. Remember to bring your camera to immortalize these scenic sights.

Reviews

Travelers who have embarked on this Personal Guided Tour have marveled at the depth of knowledge shared by the guides and the enchanting ambiance of the covered bridges. Visitors have praised the professionalism and passion of the guides, who bring the history of Madison County to life. Such an unforgettable experience has left participants with a newfound appreciation for the bridges' historical significance and a desire to rewatch the film that immortalized them. Join others who have fallen under the spell of Madison County's covered bridges and create your own cherished memories on this remarkable journey.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Madison County Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center

Meet your tour guide at the Welcome Center, located on Winterset's courthouse square. Your guide will tell you briefly about the history of Winterset and Madison County, and the 1876 limestone courthouse at the town's center.

Roseman Bridge

Explore the Roseman Covered Bridge, one of two bridges featured in the movie "The Bridges of Madison County", starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. Built in 1883, the Roseman spans Middle River and is thought by some to be haunted. The Roseman is a perfect example of the flat-roofed covered bridges that are unique to Madison County.

Cutler-Donahoe Bridge

One of the six remaining covered bridges of Madison County, the Cutler-Donahoe was moved to City Park in Winterset in 1970 on its 100th birthday. City Park also features an English hedge maze, a stone bridge (featured in the movie "The Bridges of Madison County"), and one of Iowa's often cited hidden gems, Clark Tower (a three-story stone monument that resembles a castle).

Holliwell Bridge

Explore the Holliwell Covered Bridge, the second of the two bridges featured in the movie "The Bridges of Madison County", starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. Built in 1880, it is the longest of Madison County's covered bridges, spanning 110 feet over Middle River. Be sure to view this beautiful bridge from the river bank.

Reviews

(36)

4.8 (36)

Maria_V

All of it! Our guide Leslie was wonderful. She gave us a little tour of city and was very personable. It made our tour of the bridges that much more special.

nancygD6033YL

The tour was FANTASTIC! Our tour guide Bob is THE BEST! He has spent his entire life in WInterset so our tour was punctuated with many personal anecdotes...including his experience as an extra in the Bridges of Madison County movie!

Disneybus

What a wonderful day! I called ahead and booked our tour directly through the County Chamber. We didn't have to pay until we we arrived at the Welcome center - which has a great array of Covered Bridge merchandise! We were fortunate to get Bob - highly recommended by fellow travelers. Bob is not only a tour guide, but a local film star celebrity as he was literally a walk on in the movie! I drove my rental while Bob narrated from the back seat. He knows every little thing about the town and the movie. We stopped at various spots along the way so he could tell us its significance in the movie. After town we made our way to the bridges, where we got a quick history and their role in the production; he even pointed out his own home! We got all our questions answered; he showed us where the 2022 tornado ripped through killing several in its path. Rather than walk on another bridge - one not in the movie, Bob allowed us time to traverse up the one way gravel road to the Clark Tower in Winterset Park - also not in the movie but an interesting landmark. Of course we took many pictures. We stopped at the corner where the final rain scene was made and learned about the filming techniques and where Bob made his "acting" scene.

elainelV2957TY

We were put in touch with the local Chamber of Commerce for Madison County IA and she set us up with the best tour guide anywhere. Bob is 89 years old, grew up in the area, knew everything about the town, movie, architecture, cast, John Wayne’s birthplace, etc., we couldn’t have imagined a better tour!

310betsyh

Our guide had an incredible store of Madison County stories, movie stories and history of Madison County. We saw numerous parks, beautiful towers and tunnels and two covered bridges. We would’ve enjoyed more covered bridges. FYI - a lot of gravel roads and narrow roads.

Michele_K

Our guide, Phyllis, was so pleasant!’ She had so much information to share, not only about the bridges, but about Winterset & Iowa as well. It was one ( if not THE) best tours we’ve ever taken. Loved it!!!

robertjA5944TE

This was a delightful tour! From the moment we walked into the Chamber of Commerce office, we were greeted with kindness and a welcoming spirit. And then we received the finest of guides in that of Bob! What about Bob? Everything about Bob was great. He was informative, interesting, inspiring and completely knowledgeable about all the places he took us. Highest ratings for Bob! He could make a dead horse interesting! Highest ratings for the tour. Outstanding experience.

cynthiak474

This tour is offered by the Winterset Chamber of Commerce and is absolutely amazing. The guide got into our car and took us to 3 of the bridges and other important and fun sites in and around Winterset. She was very knowledgable about the history and was lots of fun! I have been to Winterset before, and tried to find some bridges on my own. This tour is a far better way to see them.

CarlaJo_M

Meghan was very informative and easy going. She wasn't in a hurry. Explained things and answered our questions. Enjoyed her very much.

violeth2016

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and we enjoyed her immensly! It was worth every penny and I would recommend this tour to everyone.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-16 12:27