Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Across the Missouri River from Omaha, the city of Council Bluffs is linked to its neighboring city by a remarkable pedestrian bridge that was inaugurated in 2008.

There may be no more appropriate location than Council Bluffs to reflect on the United States’ significant westward expansion during the 19th century.

The city derives its name from a conference attended by Lewis and Clark and Native American tribesmen, held atop the Loess Hills that line the eastern bank of the Missouri River.

Council Bluffs has historically served as a transportation nexus, acting as a pivotal town for various 19th-century emigrant trails and the junction for no fewer than eight railroads.

In the 1860s, this city became the eastern endpoint of the Union Pacific Railroad, where two museums elucidate its narrative, and the scenic Loess Hills can be traversed via a national scenic byway.

1. Union Pacific Railroad Museum

In 1869, Council Bluffs served as the eastern terminus of the first transcontinental railroad, connecting the existing eastern U.S. rail network with the Pacific Coast.

The initiative was sanctioned by Abraham Lincoln in 1862 as a strategy for maintaining the Union during the Civil War.

Housed in an exquisite Carnegie library structure from 1905, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum illuminates over 160 years of American history through interactive exhibits and an extensive collection of artifacts.

Visitors can explore a comprehensive library of photographs, 19th-century weaponry, railroad lanterns, plush car interiors, surveying instruments, and various forms of memorabilia.

2. Pottawattamie County Squirrel Cage Jail and Museum

Patented in Indiana in 1881, the rotary jail was a prison design that never gained widespread popularity. The cells were shaped like pie wedges situated on a revolving platform, rendering escape nearly impossible.

Council Bluffs is home to one of only three existing rotary jails, built on four levels as the Pottawattamie County Jail in 1885.

This facility was erected concurrently with the courthouse and, like other rotary jails, was fraught with dangers, as several inmates reportedly lost limbs.

The jail was decommissioned in 1969 and has been under the stewardship of the Pottawattamie County Historical Society since 1977.

Visitors will gain insights into the operational mechanics of this unconventional system, experience the confined conditions of the cells, observe intriguing artifacts from the building’s history, and tour the inviting Sheriff’s residence.

3. Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

In 2008, an impressive new crossing was established between Omaha and Council Bluffs in the form of a 3,000-foot cable-stayed footbridge.

This bridge, connected to a 150-mile network of trails in the Omaha vicinity, features an S-curve design that allows you to cross the state line in style.

There are several locations along both sides of the crossing where visitors can rent electric or conventional bicycles, offering appealing views along the river and towards the Omaha skyline.

After sundown, the bridge is aglow, animated by an array of colors and effects.

4. Lake Manawa State Park

Located in the southern part of Council Bluffs, Lake Manawa is a vestige of the Great Flood of 1881, when a sizable body of water originated from the river’s redirected course.

Spanning 740 acres, the lake was later enlarged to facilitate flood management and now serves as a recreational hub for the Omaha metropolitan area.

The paved shoreline trail connects to a broader trail system via the Indian Creek Trail and Wabash Trace Trail.

During the summer months, a beach facility is open, with options to rent paddle boards, canoes, or kayaks for an enjoyable self-directed experience.

Additionally, anglers have access to boat ramps, a fishing jetty, an accessible pier, and a fish cleaning station.

Adjacent to the main boat ramp is the Dream Playground, which opened in 2018 and is recognized as Iowa’s largest ADA accessible playground.

5. Lewis and Clark Monument and Scenic Overlook

Situated on a bluff in the Loess Hills just north of the city is a monument honoring the meeting that bestows Council Bluffs with its name.

The Lewis and Clark Monument and Scenic Overlook, dedicated in 1936, commemorates the encounter on August 2, 1804, between Lewis and Clark and the Otoe and Missouri Tribesmen.

The monument features a stylized carved relief illustrating the meeting, accompanied by interpretive panels providing extensive context. The vista from this site is breathtaking, encompassing Council Bluffs, Omaha, the Missouri River, and a substantial portion of Nebraska.

6. Historic General Dodge House

In Council Bluffs, one can visit the preserved residence of Grenville M. Dodge (1831-1916), a multifaceted engineer and politician pivotal to the development of the railroads in the Western United States.

Dodge relocated to Council Bluffs in 1851 and dedicated the subsequent decade to surveying railroads, including the Union Pacific.

During the Civil War, he achieved the rank of Major General in the Union Army, innovating military intelligence before continuing his service as a congressman and assuming leadership roles in various railroad companies.

A National Historic Landmark, Dodge’s Second Empire-style residence was constructed in 1869 atop a prominent terrace with a commanding view of the valley.

Visitors are invited to explore this 14-room, three-story home to learn about his significant career and admire the parquet flooring and intricate woodwork crafted from butternut, walnut, and cherry woods.

7. Western Historic Trails Center

The National Park Service inaugurated this riverside attraction in 1997, celebrating the adventurous spirit of the westward pioneers who retraced the steps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The Western Historic Trails Center narrates the story of the United States’ westward expansion, providing captivating accounts from the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail.

The exhibits, enhanced by maps, personal narratives, artwork, and photography, depict life during this transformative period. The center is located at the northern terminus of Riverside Park, which encompasses 400 acres of prairie land adjacent to the Missouri River, reminiscent of the landscapes encountered by explorers and settlers in the 19th century.

8. Bayliss Park

Occupying an entire city block, this park, situated in front of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, serves as a verdant sanctuary with numerous points of interest.

At its center is a sculptural fountain named Well Spring, crafted by sculptor Brower Hatcher from Rhode Island.

This striking monument forms a backdrop to The Performance Space, which hosts outdoor concerts and festivals, complete with a canopy also designed by Hatcher.

The plaza surrounding the fountain features benches and tables nestled among manicured flower beds. On the north side, there is an engaging splash pad popular with children during the summer months, accompanied by interactive art installations on the east side, all designed by Hatcher.

9. RailsWest Railroad Museum

Visitors can delve deeper into Council Bluffs’ railroad legacy at this museum located in a former passenger depot.

Originally built for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, and also serving the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific, the depot was established in 1899 and ceased passenger operations in 1971.

Inside, one can learn about the eight railroads that operated in the city, the Railway Mail Service, and view an extensive HO Scale model railroad exhibit.

Outside, admire several well-preserved pieces of rolling stock, including Union Pacific locomotive 814, Chicago, Burlington and Quincy locomotive 915, alongside a lounge car, cabooses, a switchcar from 1953, and a Railway Post Office car.

10. Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

The Loess Hills represent an extraordinary geological feature, extending over 200 miles along the Missouri River.

Predominantly located on the river’s east bank, the landscape consists of a continuous line of slender ridges, undulating hills, and towering bluffs, all adorned with forests and prairies, rising as high as 200 feet above the plains to the east.

Formed at the close of the last Ice Age, these hills consist of windblown silt, reaching greater heights on the Iowa side of the river due to prevailing winds.

The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway offers an exquisite driving experience running from Akron in the north to Hamburg in the south.

A brochure for the National Scenic Byway details various activities along the route, including information on 16 excursion loops branching from the main trail.

11. Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park

Established in 2013, Council Bluffs’ gateway to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge offers a picturesque waterfront area with views overlooking downtown Omaha.

Even for those not intending to cross the Missouri River, this park serves as a splendid venue for walking or cycling, enriched with enchanting sunsets and adorned with public art.

Additionally, the park has ecological significance and includes nearly 20 acres of reforestation surrounding a large lawn area.

With the ample open space, River’s Edge Park is ideal for hosting outdoor events and staging concerts and festivals throughout the summer months.

12. Horseshoe Council Bluffs

Horseshoe Council Bluffs stands as one of three expansive casino resorts along the riverbank, managed by Caesars Entertainment.

Initially opened in 1986 as a greyhound racing track (now closed), the establishment underwent an extensive $85 million renovation in 2006. It now features a 153-room hotel, nearly 1,400 slot machines, and a dedicated poker room housing 18 tables, along with over 50 additional table games.

Visitors can find the Caesars Sportsbook located directly on the casino floor, complemented by a wide array of live music and comedy performances scheduled throughout the year.

In August, the World Series of Poker is hosted in the poker room, which also welcomes the Horseshoe Poker Championships (HPC) in February.

13. Ditmars Orchard

This diverse rural attraction is located on the northeastern periphery of the city, just a short distance from downtown.

Owned by the same family since 1994, Ditmars Orchard cultivates a variety of fruits and vegetables available for direct picking or purchase at the farm store, which also features homemade jams, jellies, salsas, and more.

U-Pick options include strawberries and sunflowers during the summer, followed by apples and pumpkins in the fall.

From late August through October, visitors can partake in various family-friendly activities on the farm, such as a corn maze, a petting zoo with young goats, bumper balls, a bounce house, and more.

For adults, there is live music and wine from the vineyard, as well as a selection of delicious treats, ranging from spicy corn fritters to apple cider donuts.

14. Ameristar Casino Hotel

Located south of Horseshoe Council Bluffs on Casino Row, the riverboat Ameristar Casino launched operations in 1996.

It remains the only casino in the city still operating from a riverboat and features an attached hotel tower containing 160 rooms.

The casino itself spans 38,500 square feet of gaming space, boasting 1,500 modern slot machines, along with traditional table games such as baccarat, roulette, craps, and blackjack, with some accepting bets as high as $5,000.

Moreover, the Sportsbook offers a cutting-edge gaming environment, equipped with ten betting kiosks, six wagering terminals, and 50 HD televisions to keep patrons engaged with the action.

15. Kanesville Tabernacle

Council Bluffs marks a significant chapter in the history of the Mormon Church. Following the violent death of founder Joseph Smith (1805-1844) at the hands of a mob in Nauvoo, Illinois, the church migrated westward, momentarily settling in Iowa en route to Utah.

Smith’s death precipitated a leadership crisis that demanded resolution. Consequently, a log cabin made of cottonwood measuring 40 feet by 60 feet was constructed. Here, on December 27, 1847, Brigham Young (1801-1877) restructured the First Presidency and was affirmed as the second President of the Church.

The original log structure was built hastily atop a natural spring, ultimately leading to its dismantlement a few years later after serving its purpose.

The replica was constructed in the mid-1990s, located less than a block from the original site, utilizing cottonwood and replicating the same dimensions.