Forget the GPS

Follow the signs to fall adventure along Iowa's scenic byways and historic routes.

From Mississippi River bluffs and valleys to the prairie slopes of the Loess Hills, Iowa’s scenic byways lead you to a spectrum of fall colors and seasonal attractions.

Iowa’s fall colors are subtle in some areas, dramatic in others; they beckon you to take along a camera and take home some memories. Iowa has more than a dozen scenic and historic routes to give your autumn getaway some direction.

Eastern Iowa’s Great River Road along the Mississippi is one of the best known. Take a few days and drive the whole route, or take a few hours and explore a few miles.

Follow the Historic Hills byway to the Villages of Van Buren just in time for their Scenic Drive Festival.

The Western Skies Scenic Byway crosses expansive rolling hills and connects to the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway – get directions and information at the Harrison County Historical Village and Welcome Center.

Aficionados of American automobiling will take time to retrace part or all of the historic Lincoln Highway, the nation’s first transcontinental highway.

Whichever byway you choose, expect to find interesting local attractions and dining, small-town friendliness, and an engaging alternative to the four-lane fast lane.

Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office