KC to Fairfield...Madison County along the way? (Des Moines, Urbandale: living, food)

[akamaimama]

Hello friends,

I recently moved to Kansas City from NY. I'm really enjoying exploring the region. I'm planning a weekend road trip to visit my Aunt in Fairfield soon--just me and my two little girls. I thought it would be fun to visit a few of the Madison County bridges and have lunch in Winterset. How many hours do I need to devote to the Winterset area? Is this doable in one day, if we get started early? I'd like to get into Fairfield by 5 or so.

Any recommendations on routes or must-sees?

Thank you!

[DMRyan]

Madison County is very doable in a day. Since you're bringing kids, my advice is to skip the Bridges of Madison County and save that for another day trip for you and your schweetie. Madison County is beautiful, but I just don't think it will hold the interest of many kids if you're seeing a picturesque town square and a few covered bridges.

Take the kids up to Living History Farms in Urbandale instead. You can then gorge yourself on native Midwestern food at the Iowa Machine Shed as you meander back down to Fairfield. Living History Farms is large enough to chew up most of the day, but you can plan a route that hits the town of Pella on the way to Fairfield, if time allows.

[akamaimama]

Thanks DMRyan! Sounds like a place my girls would love. We'll check it out!

[capitalcityguy]

Agreed. Little one's aren't going to appreciate Madison County.

[duster1979]

KC to Fairfield is 4-1/2 hours driving without accounting for gas stops/restroom breaks. Going through Urbandale or Winterset, either one, will add 3 hours to that. That doesn't leave much time to look at anything. If you want to swing through Des Moines on the way to Fairyfield I'd allow another day. Or just save it for another trip.

If you want to get to Fairfield in a day and want to make a day of it seeing something different, get off I-35 at Highway 2 and take your time going through the little towns along the way. I can't think of any destination-type attractions along that route, but you'll see historic town squares, mennonite run businesses, and probably lots of Amish buggies on the road.

Or just get to Fairfield early and take the kids out to see some Yogic Flyers. That's probably the most entertaining thing in the entire state!