Sometimes, you just need to get in the car and see where the day takes you. Iowa is home to many scenic byways, and one of the most beautiful is the Grant Wood Scenic Byway that meanders through eastern Iowa as far as the Mississippi River.

So relax and take a deep breath as you take in Iowa’s beautiful rolling countryside, with its lush cornfields, farmhouses, trees and birds. In between taking in the scenery, you may want to explore many stops along the way, like museums, wineries, antique shops, restaurants and museums. You can see a map of the complete route here.

This byway is a 68-mile route, and the farmlands and limestone buildings served as inspiration for many of Grant Wood’s famous works.
Flickr/Carl Wycoff
Visit Stone City to see the town that inspired Grant Wood’s famous painting, “Stone City.”
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Stop in the Grant Wood Art Gallery in Anamosa.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Visit this interesting gallery in downtown Anamosa to learn about Grant Wood and his artist colony and look at the display of American Gothic caricatures. You can also buy prints and posters of his works.
Check out the Antioch School in Anamosa.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Grant Wood attended Antioch School from 1897 to 1901. This school is on the National Register of Historic Places and is in rural Iowa outside Anamosa.

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As you get close to Maquoketa, you can explore the beautiful Maquoketa Caves.
Flickr/Michael Kappel
Get a panoramic view of the Mississippi at Bellevue State Park
Flickr/Phil Roeder
Once you reach Bellevue and the Mississippi, you can hike up to gain sweeping views of the Mississippi at Bellevue State Park.
Stop for some tasty BBQ in Bellevue.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Facebook/Flatted Fifth Blues & Bbq at Potter's Mill
At the end of your drive, you might be hungry, so enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the water at Flatted Fifth Blues & Bbq at Potter's Mill.

To find out about Iowa’s many other scenic byways, check out These 7 Beautiful Byways In Iowa.

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