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Festive Fall Events & Attractions in Pottawattamie County

This list will be continuously updated until November 19, 2023

Fall is right around the corner, and to celebrate, we’ve made a list of all the upcoming events and activities in Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County! Grab your favorite pumpkin spice treat, and let’s get celebrating.

Make a whole weekend out of your visit by staying overnight in a Council Bluffs hotel! Use our Book Direct tool to browse and book today, and 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! 

Fall Events:

Jack-o-lanterns on fire
Flamin' Pumpkin Fest at the Squirrel Cage Jail

Event details are subject to change. Please contact the event coordinator to confirm details as needed. 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra 
Mid-America Center
November 15 | 7:00 p.m. 

Autumn's End Hike with Dustin Clayton
Hitchcock Nature Center
November 18 | 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Festive Fall Attractions:

Historic Squirrel Cage Jail

The Cryptic Room

Hours:

  • Sunday - Saturday. For available game times, check out the booking page on the website. 

Cost:

  • $25 per player

Tickets/Admission: 

  • At this time, no walk-ins are allowed. Games can be reserved online or by calling (712) 310-5265. 

The Cryptic Room is a live-action, team-based escape room game that is perfect for the Halloween season. Once you are inside the themed room, the clock starts ticking, and you have limited time to work together, find and use clues, solve the puzzles, and "break out." You must hurry, though — it is all over once the clock hits zero!

Historic Squirrel Cage Jail

Hours:

  • Thursday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Sunday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 
  • *In November, the jail is open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 

Cost:

  • $10 for adults
  • $6 for public safety workers
  • $8 for seniors (60 and over)
  • $5 for kids ages 6-18
  • Free for kids five and under. 

Town legend has it that the Historic Squirrel Cage Jail has been haunted since the jail’s opening. A former jail tour guide claimed the ghost is J.M. Carter, the man who oversaw the construction of the building. Visit their website for information on booking a paranormal investigation!  

Shady Lane Ranch

Hours:

  • Friday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Cost:

  • $30 per person for an hour of horseback riding

Tickets/Admission:

  • Call (712) 323-1932 to schedule your visit 

Explore the Loess Hills on horseback or on a scenic hayrack ride at Shady Lane Ranch! Saddle up and enjoy hourly guided rides with your friends or family out on the trails. To make a reservation, call 712-323-1932. Hayrack rides are perfect for larger groups and you can even enjoy a private campfire afterward!

Pumpkin Patches & Orchards

Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard

Fall wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a local family-owned pumpkin patch and orchard. Lucky for you, the area has several unforgettable patches and orchards that are sure to give you the best fall vibes! Visit our Pumpkin Patches & Orchards blog for a list of places to visit, admission information, and more.

Learn More

The Fun Doesn't Stop There!

There are so many other activities, events, and attractions to visit in Pottawattamie County! Learn more about the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, our exciting outdoor fall activities, and The Arts Center at Iowa Western's 2023-2024 National Performance Season to unleash the perfect getaway. 

For a complete list of attractions, visit our play page!

For a complete list of places to eat, browse our restaurant listings!

Don't forget to book your hotel stay with one of our properties by using our Book Direct tool!

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509 23rd Ave.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
844-271-6909 | 712-256-2577
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