One of Council Bluffs’ most nationally significant attractions is earning statewide recognition for telling a story that helped shape America.
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 “Only in Iowa” Tourism Award from Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP), recognizing destinations and organizations that make Iowa unique, noteworthy, and memorable.
Located in the heart of historic downtown Council Bluffs, the museum preserves and shares the story of Iowa’s role as the starting point of the transcontinental railroad — a story often referred to as “Mile Zero.”
Through immersive exhibits, educational programming, events, and interactive storytelling, the museum welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world while bringing one of America’s most transformative chapters of history to life.
According to Iowa Travel Industry Partners, the museum was recognized for “telling one of the most nationally significant stories to originate in the state” and for generating meaningful tourism impact through its visitor experiences and programming.
“As the steward of the ‘Mile Zero’ story, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum stands as a powerful symbol of Iowa’s influence, pride, and place in American history,” the organization stated in the award announcement.
“Tourism is powered by people who care deeply about their communities and the experiences they create for others,” said Chelsea Lerud, Executive Director of Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP). “These recipients are the individuals and organizations that consistently go the extra mile, and their work deserves to be recognized and celebrated.”
The recognition continues a strong run for Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County attractions at the statewide tourism awards. In 2025, Hitchcock Nature Center received an Only in Iowa Tourism Award, while fellow 2026 honorees include Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE) and Unleash Council Bluffs Executive Director Mark Eckman.
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum will be formally recognized during the 2026 iTIP Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on June 9 in Amana.
