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Art & Entertainment in the Council Bluffs Area

From our award-winning cultural center, impressive public art collection, live performances, and unique nightlife opportunities, there is so much art and entertainment to uncover in Council Bluffs! We've listed some of our favorite ways to be inspired below, so you can plan your next getaway. 

After a day of browsing our galleries and getting to know our local talent, unwind with a relaxing stay in a Council Bluffs hotel. Click on our hotel options to browse and book today. Don't forget to use our interactive trip planner tool to help you plan your unforgettable getaway! As you browse the website, look for the pin icon to save things to do, places to eat, events to attend, blogs, and more. Once you've curated your list, you can send it to yourself, share it with friends or family, and easily access it at any time! 

Get Inspired at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center!

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Gallery Hours: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Fridays, 12:00 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturdays
Cost: Free to visit the gallery
Tickets/Admission: Reserve your gallery tickets, Chanticleer Community Theatre tickets, and art classes admission online.

The Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center is a hub for all things creative in Council Bluffs! Visitors can visit the Anne & John P. Nelson Gallery on the fourth floor to see exciting exhibits that change throughout the year. Currently on display is the "You're Home: A History of Pottawattamie County" exhibit, which includes numerous historic artifacts located throughout the county! Take a deep dive into our local history by seeing treasures from museums like the Pioneer Trail Museum, Walnut Creek Historical Museum, the Squirrel Cage Jail, and more through May 6, 2023. 

In addition to the gallery, the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center also hosts live performances by the Chanticleer Community Theatre, open studio hours on Friday evenings where you can meet the talented resident artists, art classes, and so much more! Visit PACE's website for more information.

Experience Live Music at Stir Concert Cove + More

stir

Hours: Hours vary depending on the venue
Cost: Cost varies depending on the venue 
Tickets/Admission: Visit our blog for ticket and admission information 

There is a wide variety of live music performances to catch in Council Bluffs! From top touring acts to large rock festivals and spectacular symphonies, the potential for an unforgettable evening out in CB is unequaled. Unleash the beat at Harrah's Stir Concert Cove with performances by Willie Nelson & Family, Whiskey Myers, and more, or enjoy an evening at The Arts Center at Iowa Western. For a full list of upcoming performances, visit our blog! 

Discover Art in Small-Town Iowa

penny

Hours: Hours vary depending on the venue
Cost: Cost varies depending on the venue 
Tickets/Admission: No admission fee 

Pottawattamie County is home to many talented artists. See the works of these outstanding locals at various venues, including Penny's Vision GalleryThe Painted Camel, and Pottery by the Creek! In Neola, you'll see the works of husband and wife duo Penny and Russ at Penny's Vision Gallery, who have been making art for over 30 years. Russ' work can also be seen as you tour the Pottawattamie County Eagle of Honor statues throughout the county. In Macedonia, The Painted Camel Gallery displays fine art, featuring regional artwork in the form of pottery, jewelry, paintings, photographs, baskets, and more. Check out the owner, Paul Koch's work at Pottery by the Creek, just outside of Carson. In this studio, Paul created unique pieces of hand-thrown pottery and ceramic sculptures. 

Explore the Iowa West Public Art Collection 

Hours: Open 24 hours 
Cost: Free
Tickets/Admission: Free/ Self-Guided 

In 2004, the Iowa West Foundation, a foundation that works to improve the lives and strengthen the Council Bluffs community,  funded a community-wide public art master planning process that resulted in the Iowa West Public Art initiative. Because of this unique initiative, Council Bluffs is now home to an impressive collection of 12 pieces of public art created by artists known worldwide.

Take a self-guided tour of the collection using the Otocast Public Art app! This interactive app serves as your tour guide by giving you directions to each piece and allows you to hear directly from the artists as they speak about their work. This fun and engaging app can be downloaded on both Android and iOS. To learn more, click here!

@pearlsandplaid

Instagram Worthy Murals in Council Bluffs

Hours: Open 24 hours
Cost: Free
Tickets/Admission: Free/Self-Guided

As mentioned earlier, Council Bluffs is home to an extensive collection of impressive art. In the last few years alone, four new murals have popped up in the city! This innovative form of public art brings a new life to the buildings they are painted on and brings vibrancy to the community. Take a self-guided tour of our murals! You'll learn about our local history, be able to take the best Instagram shots, and see the unique styles of each artist along the way.

Drag Yourself to Brunch!

Hours: Third Saturday of each month
Cost: No cover charge
Tickets/Admission: Call (712) 256-0070 to make a reservation

A weekend isn't complete without a delicious brunch, right? Well, Caddy's Kitchen and Cocktails, located on the Historic 100 Block, hosts a reoccurring Drag Yourself to Brunch event on the third Saturday of each month. Their cast of drag performers entertains you with song and dance while you enjoy creative cocktails and delicious brunch items during the event. These events are highly entertaining and very popular! Be sure to call and reserve a table.

Art in the Omaha Metro

Photo courtesy of Visit Omaha 

Did you know that Council Bluffs is only minutes away from downtown Omaha? Our convenient location allows for quick trips to experience the great art and entertainment options in the entire metro. 

Find something UNexpected in South Omaha!

South Omaha is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that includes cultures from around the world! Experience Polish, Czech, German, and Mexican history, flavors, and art as you walk South 24th Street. With the historic buildings, beautiful public art, festivals, and live music, this area of Omaha is worth a visit.

Check out this blog from our friends at Visit Omaha for places to eat and visit in South Omaha.

Shopping and Gallery Hopping in the Old Market!

The Old Market in Omaha is a lively historic district located just minutes away from Council Bluffs. Street musicians will greet you as you wander through the different boutiques and art galleries. The Old Market is also home to several local restaurants, pubs, cafes, and clubs. The cobblestone streets and beautiful brick buildings make this district a must-see for all visitors!

Check out the blog from our friends at Visit Omaha for things to do in the Old Market!

The Fun Doesn't Stop There!

Hidden gems and long-standing favorites abound in Council Bluffs, whether you want to unplug or amp up. Of if you're looking to unveil the nightlife or create your own still life. Discover the fantastic food scene, or take in the unbelievable scenery. You don't have to search far for your new favorite place in Council Bluffs! Check out our recent blogs to get the insider's scoop on all things CB.

For a complete list of attractions, click here!

For a complete list of places to eat, click here!

Don't forget to book your hotel stay with one of our properties by clicking here!

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509 23rd Ave.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
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