The Bridges of Madison County Itinerary
Welcome Center
Start your day at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center (73 Jefferson St.), where you’ll find maps and directions to the covered bridges, souvenirs, and locally-made products, as well as The Bridges of Madison County movie memorabilia. Visit our Contact Us page for seasonal hours and contact information. You can also schedule a personal guided tour of the bridges through the Chamber!
Roseman Covered Bridge
Tour Roseman Covered Bridge, which figured prominently in the movie. (It’s the bridge Robert is looking for when he first stops at the Johnson’s farmhouse, where Francesca pins a note inviting Robert to dinner, and where she requests that her ashes be scattered.)
Middle River at Pammel Park
On the way back from Roseman, stop at the water ford at Pammel State Park, where Michael and Carolyn read their mother’s diaries in the movie.
Stone Bridge at City Park
Arrive at City Park. Just past the Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge is the stone bridge that Robert and Francesca cross to have a picnic in the grass.
Holliwell Covered Bridge
A few miles away is Holliwell Covered Bridge, where Francesca and Robert meet up after spending some time in town. Clint Eastwood, the director and lead actor, chose to use Holliwell Covered Bridge rather than Cedar Covered Bridge in the movie. This is the bridge where Robert takes photos of Francesca (as seen above).
Winterset Courthouse Square/Frostee's
Return to Winterset’s Courthouse Square, where many of the movie’s exterior shots were filmed. The intersection of Green Street and 1st Street/John Wayne Drive is where the “truck scene” was filmed. Frostee’s is still here, but the general store and Texaco gas station are gone.
Northside Cafe
Though the cafe has been closed since November 2020, you can peek in the window of the Northside Cafe and see the counter where Robert Kincaid sat and had a cup of coffee. Lucy Redfield comes in and Robert offers her a seat next to him at the counter, but the townspeople (who know about her recent infidelity) demonstrate animosity towards her. She leaves in tears. The wood paneling and tables in the movie have been updated but the counter and stools remain the same.
Pheasant Run Pub(Blue Note Lounge)
The Pheasant Run Pub in Winterset, on the corner of Court Avenue and John Wayne Drive, was used as the interior of the Blue Note Lounge where Robert and Francesca go out dancing.
Francesca's House
Drive north on Cumming Highway and turn east on 130th Street in order to drive past the site of the Johnson farm (it’s the second house on the left). The 1870 home was used as Francesca’s house in the movie. The house was closed to the public in 2003 after an arson destroyed the back of the house. The property is privately owned and fenced off now, so you can only view the house from the road.
Iowa Theater
If you stay into the evening, take in a movie at the newly renovated Iowa Theater on Winterset’s town square. The local premiere of The Bridges of Madison County took place here in 1995. Catch either a new movie or a classic picture during their Way Back Wednesday series. Enjoy freshly popped Iowa popcorn with real butter, and locally-made wine, hard cider, or coffee.
