Location: Council Bluffs
Top Things to do in Council Bluffs
- 1. Union Pacific Railroad Museum
- 2. Henry Doorly Zoo
- 3. TD Ameritrade Park
- 4. Lewis and Clark Monument and Scenic Overlook
- 5. Lauritzen Gardens Omaha's Botanical Center
- 6. Historic General Dodge House
- 7. The Durham Museum
- 8. Pottawattamie County Squirrel Cage Jail and Museum
- 9. Joslyn Art Museum
- 10. Harrah's Casino
The 10 Best Things to Do in Council Bluffs, United States
Council Bluffs is a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The city is the most populous in Southwest Iowa, and a principal city in the Omaha–Council Bluffs metropolitan area. It is located on the east bank of the Missouri River, across from Omaha, Nebraska. Council Bluffs was known, until at least 1853, as Kanesville. It was the historic starting point of the Mormon Trail. Kanesville is also the northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trails, since there was a steam powered boat to ferry their wagons, and cattle, across the Missouri River.
Restaurants in Council Bluffs
1. Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Our museum has chronicled more than 150 years of American railroad history through unique artifacts and immersive interactive games. Admission is free.
Reviewed By homewardbound14 - Broken Arrow
The museum showcases the history of the Union Pacific Railroad with spectacular interactive displays, interesting to both young and old. There is no entrance fee, though visitors can leave a contribution to the museum. The audio self guided tour was not working well when we were there, so we just winged it. The museum was not crowded, so moving through the different display areas was quite easy. If you are in this area, a trip to this museum is worth your time.
2. Henry Doorly Zoo
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
This world-class zoo is famous for its involvement with breeding endangered species from around the world.
Reviewed By WillisBayTrading - Tacoma, Washington
It was a cold rainy day so many of the animals were inside their home and unavailable, however, those who were out or whose home we could visit...got our attention. The giraffes were terrific, and we saw the elephant getting his ear scratched by a keeper, and a large tiger decided to come out and start pacing close to us. Great Fun! Thus we spent most of our time inside the venues, plenty snakes, great bat area, lots of desert folk, and a delightful family of javelin's, Great way to spend a day!
3. TD Ameritrade Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By lanceo53
TD Ameritrade Park is a top-shelf venue for college baseball...and it doesn't get any better than seeing a College World Series game in June than at this ballpark !!! Sight-lines are phenomenal from any angle...the concourse is expansive and offers a tremendous variety of tasty items you can feast on !!! The field itself is a work of art, manicured and tailored down to the last blade of grass !!!
And when you venture outside and begin strolling around the shops and restaurants along the streets adjacent to the park, that's another completely outstanding experience as well !!!
The CWS is rapidly approaching...June is not very far away.
Let's play some baseball !!!
4. Lewis and Clark Monument and Scenic Overlook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By michellehouse - Evansville, Indiana
We need a small stop to stretch legs and saw this on Trip Advisor with good reviews and though heck why not. Wouldn't recommend doing that for other travelers. The monument itself was nice. The views were so-so. It mostly over looks the airport. Guess it was cool for the kids to watch a plane land. Once upon a time it looked like this had a walking trail but it has since eroded. The bathrooms had no toilet paper or hand soap. The needle depository in the bathrooms let us know that this park is probably used for some not so family friendly activities.
5. Lauritzen Gardens Omaha's Botanical Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 873 reviews
Reviewed By nightingale1972 - Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
We visited the center when they had the exhibit, Metamorphosis. This exhibit is an artful display using reclaimed materials; there is a teaching display that discusses how the use of plastic in our lives has impacted the environment and wildlife. What an eye-opening experience! There are suggestions about how to reduce the use of plastics in our everyday lives. The plants were beautiful as well. This was an amazing display and I will definitely return! Highly recommended!
6. Historic General Dodge House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By Scott J - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
With two local friends, we toured the Dodge House in Council Bluffs on a warm afternoon. We enjoyed the house next door before moving to the impressive four story building on 3rd Street. We were guided through all 17 rooms over an hour. We learned about the General and Mrs. Dodge and their children. You will get a fine overview of Victorian era living in the Missouri Valley.
7. The Durham Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 917 reviews
Beautiful architecture blends with memories of a time gone by at the historic Durham Museum. Opened in 1931, Union Station was built by Union Pacific Railroad as the showpiece to the city of its headquarters. Considered one of Omaha’s most unique treasures, and now an official National Historic Landmark, the station is one of the best examples of art deco architecture in the country. The Durham Museum offers unique, hands-on learning for people of all ages. Enjoy an extraordinary array of permanent exhibits including restored train cars, 1940’s storefronts, HO Model trains, numerous artifacts showing the history of the region and the Byron Reed collection, which includes some of the world’s rarest coins and documents. During your stay be sure to stop by the authentic soda fountain and enjoy a phosphate or malt. There are also impressive temporary exhibitions through The Durham’s affiliation with the Smithsonian and close ties with the Library of Congress, National Archives, and Chi
Reviewed By Marcus427 - Lake Charles, Louisiana
The Durham Museum is located in an historic train terminal. The upper level is an elegant, massive restored passenger terminal while the downstairs is a museum featuring a locomotive and many different train cars but much, much more, including artifacts from this history of the area. This is a must see!
8. Pottawattamie County Squirrel Cage Jail and Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By Bobby A
First I must say even if you are not a history buff, or even interested in historical sites you should still visit this place. It is unreal what we used to use as a jail, and seeing it live in person is just incredible. I highly recommend going for a tour! This is a great spot in downtown CB Iowa.
9. Joslyn Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 738 reviews
Reviewed By dvorac4 - USA
This is a lovely small art museum in a very beautiful art deco building. The highlights are two Monets, one Renoir, one Rembrandt, one Cassat, and one of Napoleon. There is an emphasis on art of the American West. The museum is free to enter and the staff will not hurry you around. It's a lovely place to spend some quiet time.
10. Harrah's Casino
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 414 reviews
Las Vegas-style casino boasts more than 25 first-place awards from Casino Player Magazine including Best Casino, Best Video Poker and Best Slot Club.
Reviewed By 98jenniej
We went up to 360 restaurant for dinner. Had a great time and the food was good. They even brought 2 desserts for the birthday person.
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