We’ve all been on that one road filled with hairpin turns that makes us feel more like we’re riding a roller coaster or driving in the Indy 500 as opposed to heading to work! But maybe no road compares to the famous Lombard Street in San Francisco, the east-west street containing one block with eight hairpin turns. Anyone who has driven it knows it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience – unless, of course, you’re from Burlington, Iowa! Burlington is home to Snake Alley, the most unique road in Iowa and a surprising doppelganger to Lombard Street. If you ask Iowa residents, it may be even wilder – and every Iowa resident owes it to themselves to take this crazy drive at least once.
Lombard Street is commonly known as the most twisted street in America - packing eight hairpin turns into one chaotic block!
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But everything is bigger in…Iowa? Welcome to Snake Alley, a Burlington street hiding on Heritage Hill. It was built in 1894 to create a pathway through a particularly steep area of town.
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Today, it’s one of Burlington’s top tourist spots - and it’s open to car traffic during all months when the road isn’t likely to be iced over.
Travel Iowa
You can still take it by foot during the winter months, and that will give you a clearer look at the limestone and blueclay bricks that make up this unique road.
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It’s a useful road in Burlington - but it’s as much a curiosity and attraction as anything else. You’ll frequently find people posing for pictures at the base.
Travel Iowa
While Snake Alley has one less turn than Lombard Street, its turns are even sharper - which means Ripley’s has officially certified it as the most crooked street in America.
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The most extreme way to see Snake Alley? Join in on the annual, high-intensity bike race UP the crazy winding street!
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Have you been on Snake Alley in Burlington? Let us know about your trip to this unique road in Iowa – whether you drove, rode a bike, or walked – in the comments section. You can find out more about Snake Alley on the official Burlington website. For another surprising Iowa doppelganger, check out the Grand Canyon of the Midwest.
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Travel Iowa
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Address: Snake Alley, Burlington, IA 52601, USA
