With autumn just around the corner, how about taking a picturesque scenic drive? The River Bluffs Scenic Byway has 109 miles of the most breathtaking views in Iowa each fall. Enjoy Iowa’s second most scenic byway along the “Bluff Country,” with rolling hills with twist and curves that give you the feeling you are on a roller-coaster ride right here in Northeast Iowa. Look around at the cornfields standing tall ready for upcoming harvest. With the open green pastures and zig-zagging cold water creeks and streams. Watch high above as the Bald Eagles soar free over the rocky limestone bluffs where they make a home up in the trees. The leaves are changing with amazing shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown. Come to explore Clayton County on a day trip you can personalize just for you!

Visit quaint historical towns and see how the homes and buildings used the surrounding limestone to build the structures you see today. Imagine how the limestone was quarried. It seems remarkable! Mason's once moved limestone from the bluffs to where beautiful buildings still stand today. Some of these structured are more than a century old.  

Pick from a number of charming small-town communities to visit their unique shops, mouthwatering restaurants, historical museums, and spacious parks. There are so many things to experience along the River Bluffs Scenic Byway for a day or two. Spend the weekend in any of the charming historic bed and breakfasts that offer guests a truly one-of-a-kind Midwestern experience. Then continue your adventure traveling along the Great River Road. Just follow the mighty Mississipp through America’s heartland.

By Gianna Manternach