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IA DOT Launches Iowa Travel Planning Websites for Byways & Bicycles

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Transportation has announced the release of two new interactive websites for planning travel adventures on Iowa’s byways and bicycle trails.Officials say the full-feature sites are ideal for planning trips to explore Iowa’s two national scenic byways and nine state scenic and heritage byways along with Iowa’s many bicycle trails that crisscross and complement the byways. The byways website is: http://www.iowabyways.org; the bicycle website is:  http://www.iowadot.gov/interactiveiowabikemap.htm. 
Iowa byways website and tour guide
Discover your Iowa adventure at the Iowa byways interactive website. It is loaded with information about the byways, including a route description and its history, contact information, and listing of local events, attractions and travel services. The stunning photography will undoubtedly draw visitors to discover Iowa’s scenic, natural, historic and cultural resources. The website is updated regularly by local byway organizations. Come see what Iowa’s nationally recognized byways have to offer. You can plan, map and share your adventure, save notes or even send an e-postcard. 

The Iowa Byways website offers several unique features: 

  •          Customize your search: This is not your ordinary search option. Visitors can search the site by type (event, attraction or travel service); category (arts and culture, dining, events and festivals, historic sites, natural areas, recreation, and shopping); or cost. The search results can be added to the user’s trip; saved as a favorite; or shared using social media.
  •          Plan your trip details: Sign up for free and then create trips by selecting events, attractions and travel services of interest; or add something from your list of favorites. Once you’ve finished, you can print an itinerary for your trip; share your trip plans via Google Plus™, email or as a tweet; export the information; or save it for later use. 
  •          Share an e-postcard: Choose a postcard photo from one of the byway galleries. Then add a personalized message and email it to a friend or family member.  
  •          Create your favorites list and make notes: Once you’ve discovered an interesting attraction or event on the site, save it as a favorite. Then you can add it to a trip, print a list of your favorites, come back to it later or retrieve the information en route using your smartphone. 

You can also order a free copy of the Iowa Byways travel guide, or simply print a copy.  

Iowa interactive bicycle map
One of Iowa DOT’s most popular publications, the Iowa Transportation Map for Bicyclists, is now online. Explore this interactive map to plan your trip and find bicycle trail routes and amenities, right down to available rest stops and restaurants.

 
Features include trailheads, parking, rest rooms, bicycle shops and other key features.  
  •          Plan your bike trip ahead of time: Simply enter the starting address and destination address and a suggested route will be generated.
  •          Discover Iowa’s bicycle facilities: This interactive map shows bike lanes, paved trails, unpaved trails, roads with paved shoulders, sidepaths and bicycle-friendly roads.
  •          Locate bicycle amenities: Features such as trailheads, restrooms, and water fountains along trails of 5 miles or longer.
  •          Need repairs: Bicycle shops are also shown.   

You can also request a free Iowa Transportation Map for Bicyclists.

(Press Release)