Snake Alley
Iowa
Built in 1894 by three German immigrant engineers who modeled it on old-world vineyard paths, this one-block, five-half-curve, 21%-grade street out-turns San Francisco's Lombard Street by 100 degrees — Ripley's called it 'The Crookedest Street in the World,' and it's still a one-way downhill run because horses used to lose their footing climbing it.
Why Roamward picked it
A genuine drive-it-yourself checkinable landmark right off the Great River Road corridor — GPS-precise, story-first (world-record crooked street beats Lombard), and nothing like it exists in Iowa's current dining/brewery/golf/hike roster.
Hours, admission, and access change — confirm with the official source before you plan the detour.
Build a trip around hidden gems like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: