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Looking for things to do to celebrate Father's Day? Make it extra special by spending quality time with Dad trying something new in Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County! Whether you have a few hours or an entire day, any of these fun ideas will create unique and unforgettable memories that you'll both cherish for a lifetime!
Set a World Record Playing Catch!
Enjoy Father's Day at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park as The Play Catch Movement attempts to set a world record of playing catch! The event will also include other baseball challenges including whiffle ball home run derby, fastest throw, timed bases dash, fly ball challenge, longest throw, accuracy throws, dizzy bat race, and more! At dusk, there will also be a showing of "Field of Dreams."
Relaxing Float Down the West Nishnabotna Water Trail
Grab your life jacket, kayak, canoe, and hop on the West Nishnabotna Water Trail! Pack a lunch and make it a day trip. There are several sandbars and stops along the way that are perfect to pull off on. The Nishnabotna is a very lazy meandering water trail with lots of wildlife viewing. Bring your binoculars or fishing pole and you could be out there all day! For safety instructions, a map of the trail, and more relevant information, visit WattaWayIA.com.
Fish the Day Away!
There are UNlimited amounts of fishing opportunities in Pottawattamie County! First, you will want to make sure you have a valid fishing license. You can buy one online through the Iowa DNR or you can visit one of the eight local retailers or bait shops that sell them. For a complete list, click here.
In Council Bluffs, you can fish at Lake Manawa or Big Lake Park. Both offer a completely different fishing experience. Lake Manawa is a 747-acre lake and has a variety of fish species like the bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, and black crappie to name a few. Big Lake is a 5-acre pond with species like bluegill, common carp, and rainbow trout.
Another fishing hot spot in Pottawattamie County is Carter Lake! Carter Lake is a 315-acre lake that is known for its bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. There is also a beach, trail system, and picnic shelters at the lake for you to enjoy!
Some other noteworthy fishing locations are some of the Pottawattamie County Conservation parks like Arrowhead Park, Botna Bend Park, Old Town Park, and Farm Creek Public Wildlife Area.
Visit the Bison and Elk Calves at Botna Bend
Just a short drive away, you can visit the elk and bison at Botna Bend Park! Just this season, they have welcomed new elk and bison calves. While you are out at the park you can look over the peaceful Nishnabotna River, hike on some amazing prairie trails, or even extend the day by camping overnight!
Strawberry Picking at Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard
Did you know that you can go out to Ditmars Orchard and pick strawberries?! The peak season for picking strawberries is late May until early July so Father’s Day is the perfect time of year to treat yourselves to some delicious locally grown fruit!
Visit Ditmars' Facebook page for more details and feel free to give them a call to check on the conditions before heading out!
Enjoy a Delicious Meal, Made by Someone Else!
Whether you prefer to dine-in, takeout, or drive-thru, there are so many wonderful restaurants in Council Bluffs that dad is sure to love! Click here for a complete list of restaurants in the area.
Enjoy a Brew (21+ only)
Share a beer with Dad on Father's Day! Full Fledged Brewing Company is a family-owned craft brewery in Council Bluffs and is a great place to meet and enjoy a pint. They brew all of their beers on-site and have up to 18 different craft beers on tap.
All dads are different, luckily there are so many ways to celebrate him this year! For more ideas of things to do with dad, check out our website full of great local attractions, parks, and trails. We recommend calling ahead or checking a businesses’ website before visiting.
