Nothing grabs a traveler's attention better than a superlative. Tell us that a tourist attraction is the biggest, tallest, oldest or scariest of its kind, and it immediately piques our interest. So, if your travel plans include Burlington, Iowa, you'll want to include a visit to Snake Alley, which in the 1940s was dubbed the "Crookedest Street in the World" by Robert Ripley of "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" fame.
Construction of the one-block alley, which technically is part of N. 6th Street, began in 1894. Three German immigrants came up with the serpentine design, which was similar to the vineyard paths used in their homeland. The winding alley and its upward-tilted bricks made it much easier for horses to descend the relatively steep slope between the Heritage Hill neighborhood and the thriving business district below.
I suggest you begin your visit by parking on Columbia Street near the top of Snake Alley, and then meandering through beautiful Heritage Hill. The neighborhood was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and many of the spacious, architecturally interesting houses date back to the 19th century. As you tour the neighborhood, try to imagine how proud and excited the original owners must've been when they first moved in!
The easiest -- and therefore, most popular -- way to enjoy Snake Alley is by walking down it. Once you get to the bottom, be sure to take some pictures of that awesome path you just traversed! From there, continue your descent one more block to Jefferson Street, where you'll find an eclectic mix of specialty stores and restaurants.
Of course, walking up Snake Alley to return to your car will be harder, so take your time. And as you're slowly making your way to the top, imagine how tough it'd be to climb the alley on a bicycle! That's what hundreds of riders from across the country do each spring while competing in the Snake Alley Criterium, which is billed as one of the most challenging bicycle races in the Midwest.
OK, now that you've made it to the top, complete your visit to the Crookedest Street in the World by driving down it! Trust me, it's not as daunting as it seems; the key is to just take it nice and slow. Who knows, you might enjoy the ride so much that you'll do it again!
