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Historic Hills Scenic Byway
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Historic Hills Scenic Byway crosses southeast Iowa through river towns, wooded hills, historic villages, farmland and distinctive cultural landscapes.

Historic Hills Scenic Byway crosses the rolling countryside of southeast Iowa, linking small river settlements, market towns, historic villages and landscapes shaped by the Des Moines and Mississippi river systems. The route is a designated scenic byway rather than a conventional administrative region, and its appeal lies in the changing character of the journey: wooded ravines and open farmland give way to limestone bluffs, broad river valleys, quiet main streets and communities with deep links to commerce, craft and migration.
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The byway’s towns include Mount Pleasant, Fairfield, Eldon, Keosauqua, Bentonsport, Bonaparte and Farmington, with additional points of interest along connecting roads. Each has a different emphasis. Mount Pleasant is associated with the Midwest Old Threshers heritage and a long tradition of agricultural machinery, while Fairfield has an unusually international cultural profile shaped in part by Maharishi International University. Eldon is known for the American Gothic House, the Iowa home depicted in Grant Wood’s celebrated painting. Farther south, the Des Moines River towns retain the scale and physical character of nineteenth-century commercial settlements.
Water is central to the byway’s history. The Des Moines River corridor supported Indigenous travel and later attracted mills, warehouses, ferries and river trade. At Bentonsport and Bonaparte, surviving industrial and commercial buildings evoke the period when the river was viewed as a potential transport artery. The landscape is now quieter, but the river, wooded banks and historic structures still explain why settlement developed where it did. Canoeing, fishing, hiking, cycling and scenic driving are natural complements to heritage touring, particularly in the warmer months.
The byway also rewards unhurried exploration. Historic districts are generally compact and best experienced on foot, while rural attractions and viewpoints require a car and sensible planning. Southeast Iowa’s roads pass through productive farmland, small woodlands and gently folded hills rather than dramatic mountain terrain, yet the relief is pronounced enough to create changing vistas and winding approaches to the river towns. Autumn brings colour to the wooded valleys, and spring and summer provide the fullest access to outdoor activities.
Food and hospitality reflect the region’s small-town Midwestern character: cafés, bakeries, traditional diners, pubs, farmers’ markets and locally minded restaurants are more representative than a concentrated fine-dining scene. Visitors should allow time for local museums, independent shops and conversations with heritage organisations, whose knowledge often adds context unavailable from a brief roadside stop. The byway is best understood as a connected cultural landscape, where the journey between communities is as important as any single attraction.

Getting to and around Historic Hills Scenic Byway

How to get there

Historic Hills Scenic Byway is reached primarily by road in southeast Iowa. US highways and Iowa state highways connect the route with larger regional centres, including Burlington and the Quad Cities to the east and Ottumwa and Des Moines to the north and west. Southeast Iowa Regional Airport in Burlington is a nearby commercial gateway outside the byway, while larger flight choices are generally available through airports farther away in the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids or Quad Cities areas. Amtrak service is available in nearby Burlington, outside the byway, but a car is usually the most practical way to link the route’s dispersed towns and rural sites.

Transportation

A private car is the most flexible way to explore the byway because attractions, river towns and countryside viewpoints are spread across a broad rural landscape. State highways are generally straightforward, but allow for slower travel on winding roads, town approaches and roads affected by winter weather or flooding. Local taxis and limited public transport may serve individual communities but should not be assumed to connect the whole route. Cycling is possible for experienced riders, although distances, hills, traffic conditions and limited shoulders require preparation. Walking works particularly well within the compact historic areas of Bentonsport, Bonaparte and other towns.

Top city travel guides in Historic Hills Scenic Byway

The cities of Historic Hills Scenic Byway, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Best attractions in Historic Hills Scenic Byway

Historic Hills Scenic Byway offers a varied collection of small-scale attractions rather than one dominant visitor complex. Its strongest experiences are historic river settlements, compact main streets, local museums, heritage collections and the agricultural landscapes between them. Bentonsport and Bonaparte are especially important for understanding the Des Moines River’s nineteenth-century commercial and industrial role, while Keosauqua provides a larger civic centre with historic architecture and access to the river corridor. Eldon attracts visitors to the American Gothic House, linking a specific rural building with one of the most familiar images in American art. Mount Pleasant’s Midwest Old Threshers heritage provides a substantial lens on farm machinery, rural technology and agricultural memory. Fairfield adds cultural and educational interest through Maharishi International University and its associated community. Outdoor opportunities include canoeing, fishing, walking, cycling and wildlife observation along rivers, wooded valleys and public recreation areas. The route is best enjoyed through a mixture of planned heritage stops and unhurried scenic driving, with the surrounding farmland and changing topography treated as attractions in their own right.

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Best landmarks in Historic Hills Scenic Byway

The American Gothic House in Eldon is the byway’s most internationally recognisable landmark: the modest farmhouse supplied the architectural backdrop for Grant Wood’s 1930 painting, although the celebrated image is an interpretation rather than a complete portrait of rural Iowa. Along the Des Moines River, Bentonsport’s surviving nineteenth-century buildings and river-related works mark the ambitions of the early navigation and commercial era. Bonaparte’s historic village fabric, including substantial brick commercial architecture, similarly records the period when milling, trade and river transport shaped local prosperity. Keosauqua’s courthouse-town character and historic buildings reflect its continuing civic importance within Van Buren County. Mount Pleasant’s heritage of agricultural machinery is expressed through the Midwest Old Threshers grounds and collections, while Fairfield’s civic and educational architecture reflects a more contemporary cultural identity. Beyond built landmarks, the Des Moines River, wooded ravines and open uplands are essential geographical markers of the route. Their changing relationship with roads, farms and settlements explains why the byway feels like a connected historical landscape rather than a string of isolated monuments.

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Best restaurants in Historic Hills Scenic Byway

Dining along Historic Hills Scenic Byway reflects southeast Iowa’s dispersed small-town pattern. Traditional diners, cafés, bakeries, family restaurants and pubs provide practical meals in the principal communities, while locally operated restaurants in Fairfield and other larger towns offer a broader range of contemporary cooking. Menus commonly draw on Midwestern staples, including beef, pork, chicken, seasonal vegetables, sandwiches, soups, pies and other baked goods, alongside familiar American breakfast and café dishes. Farmers’ markets and farm stands are useful places to look for local produce, preserves and baked items when operating seasonally. River towns may offer a relaxed setting for lunch or an early evening meal, but dining choices can become limited between settlements, so planning matters on a full-day drive. Iowa-produced beer, cider and wine may appear on regional menus, although the byway is not defined by a single beverage tradition. Visitors should distinguish between locally sourced food and dishes that are simply part of wider American restaurant culture; the region’s culinary identity is grounded more in agricultural supply, hospitality and community eating places than in a narrowly defined regional cuisine.

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Best bars in Historic Hills Scenic Byway

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Best nightclubs in Historic Hills Scenic Byway

Evening life on Historic Hills Scenic Byway is centred on traditional pubs, taverns, restaurants, cafés and community venues rather than a concentrated nightclub circuit. Fairfield has the broadest late-evening choice because of its larger population, educational community and cultural activity, while Mount Pleasant and the county-seat towns provide local bars, live entertainment and social venues. In smaller river communities, evenings are generally quieter and may revolve around a pub, restaurant, seasonal event or performance rather than late-night dancing. Breweries and other craft-drink venues may feature in the wider southeast Iowa scene, but opening arrangements and programming vary. Visitors should not expect a continuous nightlife district between towns, and should plan transport carefully if drinking. Local music, theatre, heritage events and community gatherings can provide a more representative evening experience than seeking a large club scene. Check current arrangements locally, particularly outside the main towns and during winter or midweek periods.

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Best shops in Historic Hills Scenic Byway

Shopping on Historic Hills Scenic Byway is concentrated in independent main-street businesses, practical local services, antiques shops, galleries, craft outlets, bookshops and seasonal markets rather than large retail complexes. Fairfield has the broadest selection of independent and specialist shopping, with a cultural dimension influenced by its educational community, while Mount Pleasant combines everyday retail with heritage-related visiting. Keosauqua, Bentonsport, Bonaparte and Eldon are suited to browsing smaller shops, historic buildings and locally made goods when businesses are open. Farmers’ markets and roadside stands can provide seasonal fruit and vegetables, baked products, preserves and other Iowa-produced food, but schedules vary by community and time of year. Useful souvenirs include regional food products, books on Grant Wood or Iowa history, locally produced art, handmade crafts and items connected with agricultural heritage. Visitors should not expect extensive luxury shopping or a single regional marketplace; the pleasure lies in moving between small commercial centres and finding the contrast between restored historic premises, working high streets and rural producers.

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Historic Hills Scenic Byway essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD), as throughout Iowa and the wider United States. Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted in established shops, restaurants, hotels and visitor businesses, but small cafés, roadside services, markets and seasonal events may have more limited facilities. Carry some cash for rural purchases and places with older payment systems. Foreign visitors should tell their card issuer about travel plans where necessary and check whether their card provider applies international transaction fees; exchange rates are set by the card network or financial institution rather than locally.
Safety
The byway is predominantly rural and generally allows relaxed travel, but normal precautions remain appropriate in towns, car parks and accommodation. Driving requires attention to changing speed limits, agricultural vehicles, wildlife, cyclists and occasional low-visibility conditions. Summer heat, thunderstorms and winter ice can affect roads and outdoor plans. Near the Des Moines River, obey posted warnings and avoid entering fast-moving or flooded water; river levels can change after heavy rain. When hiking or cycling, carry water, tell someone your route and remember that mobile coverage may be inconsistent between communities.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 anywhere on the byway for police, fire or ambulance assistance, and give the dispatcher the nearest town, road, marked junction or landmark. The region is rural, so emergency response and hospital transfer times can be longer than in a large city. For urgent medical needs, follow local emergency advice rather than travelling an unfamiliar distance independently. Weather alerts, river flooding and road closures should be taken seriously, particularly in low-lying areas. The United States also provides the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for mental-health emergencies, distinct from 911.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect private property, historic buildings, cemeteries, farms and river access rules, and stay on marked paths where land is managed for public use. Do slow down for agricultural machinery and give cyclists appropriate space. At historic sites, follow photography and climbing restrictions rather than treating old structures as open ruins. Tipping in restaurants and bars is customary in the United States when table service is provided, while amounts depend on service and local practice. Do not remove artefacts, enter abandoned buildings or assume that a quiet rural road is free from local traffic.
Local Tips
Use the route’s larger towns for fuel, groceries and banking before heading into the river valleys, and keep an eye on seasonal opening times for small heritage attractions. Fairfield and Mount Pleasant provide broader services, while Keosauqua, Bentonsport, Bonaparte and Eldon are better suited to slower heritage stops. Local farmers’ markets and community events can be more informative than a rushed itinerary, but dates and locations vary. Spring flooding and winter conditions may alter access, so check Iowa road and weather information before setting out on a long loop.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[Ha-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya later[See ya lay-ter]
YesYep[Yep]
NoNope[Nope]
Please/You're welcomePlease/You bet[Please/You bet]
Thank youThanks a bunch[Thanks a bunch]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/Sorry[Pardon me/Sorry]
How are you?How ya doin'?[How ya doin'?]
Fine. And you?Good. And you?[Good. And you?]
Do you speak English?Do ya speak English?[Do ya speak English?]
I don't understandI don't get it[I don't get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu, please?[Can I see the menu, please?]
I don't eat meatI ain't eatin' meat[I ain't eatin' meat]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the check, please?[Can I get the check, please?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Leave me be![Leave me be!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![Call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![Get a doctor!]
I'm lostI’m turned around[I’m turned around]
I'm illI ain't feelin' good[I ain't feelin' good]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[Just browsing]
How much is it?What’s the price?[What’s the price?]
That's too expensiveThat costs too much[That costs too much]
Can you lower the price?Can ya give me a better deal?[Can ya give me a better deal?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time ya got?[What time ya got?]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[It's one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[Half past ten]
MorningMornin'[Mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[Evenin']
YesterdayYesterday[Yesterday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorrow]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[Where's the...?]
What's the address?What’s the address?[What’s the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya point it out on the map?[Can ya point it out on the map?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[When's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)One ticket (to ...)[One ticket (to ...)]

History of Historic Hills Scenic Byway

Indigenous Homelands and River Corridors

Long before the present towns developed, southeast Iowa was occupied and used by Indigenous peoples including the Ioway, Sauk and Meskwaki, among others. The Des Moines River, its tributaries and the Mississippi valley provided routes for movement, hunting, fishing and exchange. European-American settlement followed major changes in land ownership and federal policy, including treaties and the forced removal of Indigenous communities from much of Iowa during the nineteenth century. The byway’s rivers, wooded valleys and open uplands therefore form part of a much longer human history than the surviving nineteenth-century buildings suggest.

Settlement and the Des Moines River Improvement Era

American settlement expanded rapidly in southeast Iowa during the 1830s and 1840s, when the territory’s rivers and fertile land encouraged new communities. The Des Moines River Improvement project, authorised in the nineteenth century to make the river more navigable, led to the construction of locks and dams, including works associated with Bentonsport. The project did not fulfil its grand ambitions, but it shaped local development and left important industrial traces. River towns such as Bentonsport and Bonaparte grew around transport, milling, storage and trade, linking inland farms with larger regional markets.

River Towns, Mills and Commercial Growth

During the mid-nineteenth century, communities along the Des Moines River developed as practical centres of commerce. Mills processed agricultural products, workshops served river and farm economies, and general stores supplied settlements scattered across the surrounding countryside. Bentonsport and Bonaparte retain particularly valuable evidence of this era in their compact streetscapes, brick buildings and industrial remnants. Keosauqua, the county seat of Van Buren County, became an important civic and commercial centre. Their later decline as major transport points helped preserve buildings that elsewhere might have been replaced by larger urban development.

Railways, Agriculture and the Changing Transport Network

Railway construction and the improvement of roads gradually altered the balance that had once favoured river transport. Farmers gained more direct access to regional markets, while towns competed for railway connections, warehouses and commercial services. Agriculture remained central to the economy, with livestock, grain and farm machinery shaping both work and local identity. The older river settlements became less dominant as transport patterns shifted, but the resulting continuity of small-scale town planning and agricultural landscapes is now one of the Historic Hills area’s defining historical qualities.

Eldon, American Gothic and Iowa’s Visual Identity

In Eldon stands the small white farmhouse that became the setting for Grant Wood’s American Gothic, painted in 1930. The image’s cultural importance far exceeds the size of the building, which has become one of the most recognisable references to rural American life. The painting should not be read as a literal portrait of every Iowan community, but the house connects the byway with broader debates about regional identity, representation and the visual language of the American Midwest. Eldon’s setting allows visitors to see the architectural source within the working rural landscape that helped shape the painting’s associations.

Modern Cultural and Heritage Revitalisation

Twentieth- and twenty-first-century southeast Iowa have combined continuing agricultural life with educational, cultural and heritage initiatives. Fairfield’s Maharishi International University has brought an international dimension to a small Iowa city, while communities along the Des Moines River have worked to conserve historic buildings and interpret local industry. Museums, heritage festivals and preserved main streets now support tourism without erasing the region’s ordinary civic and working life. The Historic Hills Scenic Byway itself reflects this modern effort to connect separate communities through shared landscape, history and visitor infrastructure.

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Welcome to Historic Hills Scenic Byway, a captivating journey through the picturesque landscapes and vibrant history of Iowa. With Evendo, your adventure begins even before you set foot on this historic route. This free app-based travel guide is designed to optimize your travel experience, offering a seamless blend of technology and tradition.

Discover iconic landmarks like the Villages of Van Buren, where time seems to stand still, and the serene beauty of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park. Evendo provides detailed information about each attraction, including images, descriptions, and local tips, so you can immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the region.

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