20 Reasons We Love Iowa

A journey along Iowa's 325 miles of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway blasts away stereotypical images of a flat Hawkeye State. The massive river eases around a parade of communities -- from tiny towns to busy midsize cities -- and spectacular vistas fill the spaces in between.

In southern Iowa, eagles soar above the lock at Keokuk (population 10,400), where wealth made from the river created fine homes and public buildings. Heading north, the river weaves through communities such as Bellevue (population 2,300), where watercraft negotiate the lock near galleries and antiques shops; the river port of Dubuque (population 57,200), with its thriving waterfront activities; and Guttenberg (population 1,900), where street names such as Goethe and Schiller reflect the German roots.

Pictured at left: A view of the Mississippi from Pikes Peak, near McGregor.

Great River Road National Scenic Byway