America's Byways® Press Room
In the News 2010
Route 1 - Big Sur Coast Highway Named as Ideal Winter Trip
"We love Big Sur and Highway 1. The winding drive and beathtaking views are among our favorites in the West. A day drive? Maybe. But at the slightest temptation, we might plan a week. Just tell our boss we got lost."
Old West, New West travel magazine wants you to take a trip on a Western byway this year, and first on their list is Route 1 - Big Sur Coast Highway. The article highlights camping, wildlife, and beautiful views along the rugged California coast. As much of the country is headed into winter, there's no better time to experience Big Sur. Beat the winter blues this year with a trip on America's Byways!
Virginia Byways Featured in New Book by Bill Lohmann
"Somehow, someway, Lohmann strikes a balance between the places you expect in a Virginia travel book – the Blue Ridge Parkway or Williamsburg – with the lesser-known sights like Lawrenceville along U.S. Highway 58 and the Sugar Tree Country Store in McDowell."
As a veteran reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Bill Lohmann has spent years crisscrossing Virginia backroads and byways. Those experiences and adventures are now part of his new book, Backroads & Byways of Virginia: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions. The big drives like the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive are featured, of course, but Lohmann also takes the time to explore out-of-the-way stops like Burke's Garden and the Natural Tunnel. A drive on a byway is always better with a guide, so let Bill Lohmann show you around some of the treasures that Virginia has to offer.
Fall Color and Culture on the Illinois River Road
"The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway threads through natural areas and past spectacular water views, bluffs and brilliant fall foliage. When travelers start craving the comforts of civilization, the road meanders to places with just the right amount. "
As fall winds to a close, there's still time to experience the best that autumn has to offer along the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway. A recent article in Midwest Living highlights the many appealing qualities of the byway for this and any other season. If you're looking for wildlife or scenic views, you'll find your time well spent at Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge or along the Peoria Heights drive. Taste the excellent vintages at the August Hill Winery or relax on a LaSalle Canal Boat ride. Whatever you do, take the time to see the Illinois River from the best vantage point around - America's Byways.
Fantastic Fall Byway Trips
"This year, branch out and discover something new for your fall travel plans...Not only do these treasure trails give you glorious glimpses of the change in season, but there is a little history and culture intertwined as well."
Foliage is peaking all over the country this October. AOL Travel has compiled six fantastic fall trips that cover some of the best scenic autumn drives in the country, and three of the trips are America's Byways! Whether you favor a Pacific Coast trip on the Historic Columbia River Highway, a Rocky Mountain adventure on the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway, or a Midwest drive on the Amish Country Byway, America's Byways will take you through some of the country's most beautiful foliage this fall.
Autumn Byway Trips in Tennessee
"Tennessee's scenic byways travel through some of the state's most unique and beautiful locations."
Goodyear's recent survey showed that 70% of Americans are planning fall trips, and Tennessee is a great place to visit now or anytime of year. Volunteer TV of Tennessee recently featured all five of the state's byways, so visitors can see great views and beautiful places anywhere in the state. Travelers in the Appalachians can cruise the Cherohala Skyway and East Tennessee Crossing, while those in Middle Tennessee can enjoy the beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway or Woodlands Trace. Farther west, the Great River Road brings the sights of the Mississippi River within reach for any driver. As you head out on the road this fall, don't miss some of Tennessee's local treasures -- America's Byways.
Autumn in the East on America's Byways
"The fall foliage season, when the changing palette of deciduous trees is in blazing bloom, is now starting. And the way to maximize your intake of color is to map out a driving route."
Autumn is here, and that means a riot of fall color awaits along roads across the country. Travel + Leisure magazine has weighed in with "America's Best Fall Color Drives," and three of them are America's Byways! If you're planning a trip this fall, each of the three byways can be found on the East Coast. Up north, explore the beautiful Moosehead Lake Region along the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway. Down in Virginia, take time to cruise Skyline Drive, or take the Blue Ridge Parkway across the state line into North Carolina for more stunning views. Fall will be over before you know it, so don't miss your chance to see the fantastic foliage on America's Byways.
Favorite Fall Foliage Trips on America's Byways
"Trees in every US region sport glorious foliage in the fall, prompting nature lovers and photographers to flock to their favorite spots."
El Monte RV Rentals has assembled its Top Ten Fall Foliage Road Trips, and locations on America's Byways hold six of the ten spots! Some picks simply recommended entire byways, such as the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, the Kancamagus Scenic Byway in New Hampshire, or the San Juan Skyway in Colorado. For more fall fun, drive Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula on the Copper Country Trail, cruise through Arizona's Coconino National Forest on the Red Rock Scenic Byway, or stop by Maine's Acadia National Park on the Schoodic Scenic Byway. Pack your RV, take your family, and enjoy the spectacular autumn sights on America's Byways!
America's Byways Among Favorite Trips for Midwest Living
"Do you ever wonder where the Midwest Living editors love to travel? Our list of 15 editors' picks features everything from busy cities to tranquil retreats -- plus personal stories of our adventures."
The editors of Midwest Living magazine took the time to share their favorite Midwest destinations, and eight of the fifteen are found on America's Byways! Some editors preferred trips to vibrant cities like Cleveland on the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, Indianapolis on the Historic National Road, Chicago on Historic Route 66, and Duluth along the North Shore Scenic Drive. Fans of the great outdoors find solace on the rolling prairies of the Flint Hills Scenic Byway, peaceful trails of Starved Rock State Park on the Illinois River Road, and the shoreline of the North Shore Scenic Drive. One editor simply endorses the entire Great River Road, though she admitted that the Wisconsin portion is her favorite. No matter your tastes, any visit to the Midwest should include a drive along America's Byways!
Byways.org Featured in Subaru's Drive Magazine
"We'd all love a novel vacation break from our routines: maybe a long, scenic drive through someplace perfect for day hikes and short bike rides or a route with fascinating natural and human history...but who has the time to make such plans - to research when and where to go? The answer – once you’re at a keyboard – lies at your fingertips. By inputting byways.org, you enter a world of more than 150 preplanned routes in 46 states."
Subaru's Drive magazine recently featured an article devoted exclusively to America's Byways. In addition to clearly explaining how the Byways.org website works and just what it takes to be considered a National Scenic Byway or All-American Road, the article showcases four exciting road trips. A memorable vacation on America's Byways is just a click away on Byways.org.
Forbes Recommends 10 Scenic Summer Drives--Nine are America's Byways®
"The main thing to remember? Whether you're on the Merritt Parkway looking at old growth forests on the way up to New England or stopping to pick apples along Great Rivers Scenic Route in Illinois, the important thing is to--at some point--get out of the car. It'll make all the difference."
Just in time for summer, Forbes has published their recommendations for ten beautiful road trips across America. Nine of the ten choices are designated as America's Byways, and each drive has something different to offer to travelers. From mountain vistas to tropical getaways, let America's Byways take you away this summer.
Five America's Byways among Top 10 Road Trips in America
"With summer around the corner, the open road beckons. In that spirit, we present our favorite American road trips from the West to the East...Several are steeped in history, while a few pursue remote, wild beauty. Best of all, most of these routes make for splendid drives all year long, so you can get out and explore their bounty whenever the mood strikes."
Yahoo! Travel recently featured "America's Top 10 Road Trips." Making the cut were five of America's Byways: California's Big Sur Coast Highway, North Carolina and Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway, Arizona's Red Rock Scenic Byway, Alaska's Seward Highway, and the "Million Dollar Highway" segment of Colorado's San Juan Skyway. From spectacular desert vistas and rolling hills to fog-draped coastlines, mountain scenery, and towering fjords, America's Byways offer the driving experience of a lifetime.
San Juan Skyway the Latest Focus of "Images of America" Series
"The "scenic route" in southwestern Colorado means the San Juan Skyway, a 236-mile loop created by U.S. Routes 550 and 160 and State Routes 62 and 145. The Skyway wends through glacial valleys and over high passes between some of the most breathtaking, ice-sculpted peaks in the Rocky Mountains. "
With over 200 vintage images, San Juan Skyway from Arcadia Publishing is an excellent companion book for a trip on the byway. The wonderfully restored images and intriguing bits of history and trivia document the evolution of the San Juan Skyway. Whether on wagon trails, railways, or modern highways, the byway has always provided access to some of the most beautiful mountain peaks in the country.
Hotel on San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway Named One of World's Top 10 Quirkiest
"Today’s adventure traveler seeks out extraordinary lodging accommodations that compliment [sic] their unique travel style, off-the-beaten path hotels and resorts that on their own provide memorable travel experiences. To satisfy every type of traveler’s whims, HotelsCombined.com...has compiled the Top 10 Quirkiest Hotels Worldwide."
The Madonna Inn has been a California landmark for nearly 50 years. Each of the 110 rooms has a unique theme, from the rustic Buffalo Room and bridge-accessible Love Nest to the charming nostalgia of the Fabulous Fifties room. High quality service and a distinct touch of absurd charm earned this hotel a place among the Top 10 Quirkiest Hotels in the world.
Four America's Byways Featured in Top 10 Scenic Drives List
"Discover the Top 10 Scenic Drives in the Northern Rockies – 10 spectacular drives through some of North America's most scenic mountains, lakes, charming towns, and historic places. The drives connect 19 spectacular National Parks, Monuments, and Recreation Areas via nationally-designated Scenic Byways and National Historic Trails."
Four America's Byways have been included in the official Top 10 Scenic Drives in the Northern Rockies list. This list includes some of North America's most scenic areas, quaint towns, and historic places. The byways are featured on the list's website and include Beartooth All-American Road, International Selkirk Loop, Hells Canyon All-American Road, and Northwest Passage Scenic Byway. Also featured is the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which runs through several states and along these America's Byways: Oregon's Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, Idaho's Northwest Passage Scenic Byway, and the Loess Hills Scenic Byway in Iowa.
Great River Road and Other Places on America's Byways Listed in 10 Most Beautiful Places in America
"To help frame the unenviable -- all right, nearly impossible -- task of limiting America's most beautiful attractions to a mere 10, we also offered a few guidelines. Nominees had to be publicly accessible and reasonably well-known. Iconic stature wouldn't hurt a place's chances, and, given the want of any objective way to measure beauty, sentimental favoritism was an acceptable tiebreaker. In other words, we instructed our experts to follow their hearts. After reading the top 10 list they produced, we hope you'll do the same."
In a recent travel report titled, "The 10 Most Beautiful Places in America", USA Weekend named the Great River Road and the Mississippi River as the third most beautiful place in America. The article also mentioned the Red Rock Country in Sedona, Ariz., which lies along the Red Rock Scenic Byway, as the second most beautiful place. Ranked number 8 on the list are the Florida Keys, spanned by the Florida Keys Scenic Highway. The article ranks the Appalachian Trail, which lies along the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway in Maine, as number 9 on the list.
