Fall colors surround a scenic view of the Mississippi River.
A tugboat moves a barge near Bellevue, Iowa.
Source: Google Maps
Fall colors are about to burst, and there are few places in Iowa that are more colorful in the autumn than the scenery along Iowa’s Great River Road.
“The fall is really a superior time to visit any locations along the Mississippi River,” says Joe Taylor with the Quad Cities Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “It’s a beautiful time of year.”
The Great River Road consists of over 325 miles of highway from Lansing in the northeast corner to Keokuk in the southeast. In addition to the natural beauty of limestone bluffs and the river itself, small towns dot the highway, offering visitors everything from museums to restaurants.
“The river itself is one of our nation’s great attractions,” Taylor says. “The Great River Road really makes for a great destination for anyone wanting to make the drive.”
Thousands of tourists travel up and down the road throughout the year, says Chelsea Tolle with the Burlington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. She says while the community does not have exact numbers in terms of economic impact, it is clear the road and the river bring visitors to the city.
“In 2013, the economic impact of visitors to our city was $125 million, and that supports 1,000 jobs,” Tolle says. “The river has a tremendous impact on our economy.”
The road also includes several interpretive centers where visitors can learn about the history and culture of the area.
Most of the communities have very active riverfront areas filled with restaurants, hotels and museums.
“Our riverfront is always pretty busy through the fall,” Tolle says.
Riverboat cruises are also a popular attraction along the road.
“Our cruises are booked through October,” Taylor says. “People just really enjoy that ride along the river, especially in the fall.”
More information on communities along the Great River Road can be found online at http://www.traveliowa.com/aspx/getinspireddetail.aspx?id=23.
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