You don't have to pack a suitcase or drive hours to feel like you're on vacation. Council Bluffs has plenty of places to explore, eat, play and unwind—some of them probably right in your own backyard.
Switch up your routine, try something new and see Council Bluffs through a tourist's eyes with these easy staycation ideas.
1. Book a Hotel Stay!
Turn your staycation into a real getaway with a night at a Council Bluffs hotel. Skip the chores, sleep somewhere new and wake up feeling like you've actually left town.
2. Browse our Visitors Guide
When was the last time you actually looked through your hometown's visitor guide?
Take a look through the Council Bluffs & Pottawattamie County Visitors Guide and start making a list of places you haven't visited, restaurants you haven't tried and activities you've never experienced.
3. Take Touristy Photos throughout Town
Grab your camera and see Council Bluffs through a different lens. Hunt down local murals, explore the parks, photograph historic buildings or capture a sunset along the Missouri River.
Make a photo challenge out of it and see how many Council Bluffs landmarks you can check off.
4. Try a New Restaurant
A staycation needs good food. Pick a restaurant you've never tried, order something new from a favorite spot or build your own local food crawl.
Council Bluffs has locally owned restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, ice cream spots and plenty of places to grab a bite. Browse local restaurants and places to eat and start planning your next stop.
5. Learn More About the Local History
Put your tourist hat on and dig into the stories that shaped the city. Visit the Squirrel Cage Jail, explore the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, tour the Historic General Dodge House or check out one of the area's historic monuments.
6. Get Outside
A staycation doesn't have to mean staying inside. Hit a trail, explore a park, bike the Wabash Trace Nature Trail or take in the views at Hitchcock Nature Center.
7. Find Something You've Never Done
Try something completely outside your usual routine. Go bowling, play pickleball, visit an arcade, hit the golf course, or check out a local event. Browse the Unleash CB events calendar and see what's happening during your staycation.
Make Council Bluffs Your Getaway
Sometimes the best getaway doesn't require a long drive. Book a room, try a new restaurant, explore a trail and check out a place you've driven past a hundred times.
