With fall comes a chill in the air and the long-awaited changing of the leaves. That’s why families and adventure-seekers alike take advantage of seasonal hotel booking bargains and set out across the Great River Road. If you’re ready to celebrate autumn along one of America’s most scenic routes, check out the following guide to make the most of your trip.

5 Ways to Enjoy the Great River Road

1. Road Sign Sightseeing

From Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the Great River Road follows the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles. Along this picturesque path, travelers may notice white signs marked with a wheel icon. These signs are used to guide tourists down the most beautiful parts of the Great River Road.

2. Riverside Attractions

The drive along the Mississippi River is packed with autumnal outdoor activities. Fishing holes, boating docks, cypress swamps, limestone cliffs, and hiking trails are just some of the many natural reserves that line the Mississippi River.

3. Local Foods

Stretching through 10 states, the Great River Road is the perfect opportunity to taste a number of traditional, local dishes. Satisfy your cravings with Iowa’s iconic Maid Rite meat sandwich, Louisiana’s Creole cuisine, and Tennessee’s famous deep-fried pickles.

4. Fall Festivals

Break up the 36-hour drive with the many fall festivals held throughout the harvest season. Dance the polka at St. Mary’s Oktoberfest in Alton, Illinois, or celebrate the spookiest time of year in the French Quarter at the New Orleans Horror Film Festival. You can also enjoy vineyard tours, pumpkin carving contests, hayrides, and apple bobbing competitions at the Wine & Harvest Festival in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

5. Historic Landmarks

National monuments and museums are just some of the historic sites you can take in along the road trip. Explore the Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClair, Iowa, the 17-mile Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in Illinois, the Trail of Tears State Park in Missouri, and the Lakeport Plantation in Chicot County, Arkansas. Due to the high volume of visitors these hot-spots attract, remember to reserve your hotel booking a few months in advance.

Voted the best motel in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Prairie Inn & Suites is the ideal lodging for fall road trips. Located off Highway 53, this intimate and inviting inn is committed to serving guests with the best hotel booking rates along the Great River Road. With 38 charming rooms, this homey hotel combines modern convenience with countryside nostalgia through quaint kitchenettes, continental breakfast, high-speed internet, and HD TVs. Call (608) 781-4490 to benefit from their affordable hotel booking services and visit them online to see their amenities.