This page contains information about a hotel promotion that is no longer available. Please visit our list of hotel properties for places to stay in Council Bluffs.
UNleash Spring Fun!
Winter is starting to fade, leaving all of us excited for the coming days of more sunlight, blooming plants, and quality outdoor time. While there have been many changes in the world, especially in regards to travel, you still deserve to relax and enjoy the spring season in a safe and unique location. Enjoy a getaway without the stress and hassle of traveling far with a short road trip and relaxing stay at one of Council Bluffs' hotels. Several of our local hotels are offering a special discounted rate just for you! Click on our hotel packages to browse and book today.
Start planning your perfect spring getaway in Council Bluffs today! Enjoy a game of golf on one of our four beautiful courses, Bent Tree Golf Club, Council Bluffs Country Club, Dodge Riverside Golf Club, or Fox Run Course and Clubhouse. Not only is the scenery top-notch, but it is also easy to get a tee time that works best for you!
Just minutes away from Council Bluffs you will find more wide-open spaces with beautiful courses in Pottawattamie County that are calling your name. Avoca CountryView Golf and Grille, Oakland Riverside Golf Course, Quail Run Country Club, and Shoreline Golf Course are all excellent options for a spring golfing excursion. If indoor golf is more your style, cross the river and try Topgolf in Omaha!
For more local golfing information, visit our blog!
While visiting in the spring, locals suggest trying out an exciting and unforgettable goat yoga class at Honey Creek Creamery where you will spend most of the time laughing at the adorable goats practicing yoga! After destressing with the goats, take the family to Lake Manawa State Park for a fun-filled afternoon of hiking, fishing, enjoying a waterfront picnic, paddleboarding, or playing at Dream Playground.
Watch as the flowers and trees bloom from the HawkWatch tower at Hitchcock Nature Center, the Lewis & Clark Monument Scenic Overlook, or from your car window while traveling along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway!
Public Art UNlike Anywhere Else
UNique pieces of art are found throughout Council Bluffs. Visit the Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center, snap a photo with all of our UNsculptures, visit our Eagle of Honor, and check out our newest mural, a photographic collage representing current and historic times in Council Bluffs. Plan out your art tour with a full list of our public art pieces.
In addition, the Iowa West Foundation has 12 large-scale works of art in various places in town. Use the Otocast app for a self-guided tour of all the pieces. A self-guided tour is a great way to social distance and stay away from crowds.
Take in UNbelievable Sights at the Zoo & on Bob the Bridge
Explore more of the metro by crossing the Missouri River and visit our Omaha neighbors! Start by stopping at the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. This bridge is lovingly known as Bob the Bridge! The 3,000 foot-long and 15 foot-wide bridge connects Council Bluffs and Omaha across the Missouri River. Walk across and enjoy Bob's evening light show. Be sure to go "bobbing" by striking a pose and snapping a photo when you reach the state lines that meet in the middle of the bridge.
Once you’re in Omaha, visit the world-famous Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium! The zoo reopened with some modifications on June 1. For the time being, reservations must be made in advance and visitors ages five and older are required to wear face masks indoors. Face masks are strongly encouraged outdoors, too.
After your zoo exploration, check out Omaha's Old Market in downtown for dinner. There you'll find a variety of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and even horse-drawn carriage rides.
UNleash Your Appetite at a CB Restaurant
Council Bluffs' restaurant scene has boomed in recent years, with fantastic new restaurant and bar openings — many with a focus on scratch-made meals and/or locally sourced ingredients like 712 eat + drink, Caddy's Kitchen & Cocktails, and Lincoln's Pub. You'll want to try local favorites like Barley's, Primo's Mexican Restaurant, Legends Cafe, and Pizza King. And be sure to stop by newly opened Full Fledged Brewing Company.
For a full taste of Council Bluffs' nightlife, visit the Historic 100 Block where many of these restaurants reside along with fun bars like The BLK Squirrel, themed after Council Bluffs' unique black squirrel population.
There are so many great dining options, we'd list them all if we could. Check out our full list of restaurants in Council Bluffs and take your pick. You can also visit our blog for more detailed dining ideas.
Take a Lap on Our UNbeatable Trails & Join the Taco Ride
Council Bluffs is home to 41-miles of continuous trails just waiting to be ran, biked, and walked on. Exercising outdoors is a low-risk activity (in regards to coronavirus safety) and a great way to see Council Bluffs. Walk around Lake Manawa or venture just outside of town to Hitchcock Nature Center for some fantastic hiking spots and breathtaking views, especially from Hitchcock's 45-foot tall HawkWatch tower. Check out our blog for things to do at the center throughout the year.
If you're in town on a Thursday evening, you can join locals on their Thursday Taco Rides on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. This seasonal (spring to late fall) 20-mile round trip ride winds through the countryside and the Loess Hills, with a single destination in mind before the trek back: tacos at Tobey Jack’s Mineola Steak House. If you aren't here on a Thursday, you can ride on the Wabash any day and enjoy a delicious meal at Tobey Jack's!
If exercise isn't your thing, you can still enjoy the outdoors with a beautiful drive along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. The 220-mile paved highway offers views of a unique land formation, only found elsewhere at its height in China. The hills are uniquely made up of windblown soils with steep, sharp ridges. It's a sight you won't want to miss after so many months of staying indoors.
UNleash Your Luck at Our Casinos
Council Bluffs is home to three casinos: Ameristar, Harrah's, and Horseshoe. All three casinos offer slot games, table games, and now sports betting.
Due to health guidelines, Ameristar, Harrah's and Horseshoe Casino are currently open but with modifications to their games. Contact each casino directly for updates on their policies during the dates of your trip.
UNreal Hotel Packages!
Save money by booking your trip with one of these UNbeatable hotel packages! We look forward to seeing you in CB soon.
Travel Iowa!
Council Bluffs is the western gateway to the great state of Iowa. To see what else Iowa has to offer, use the Build a Trip tool on Travel Iowa's website and start planning your personalized Iowa road trip today!
The Council Bluffs Convention & Visitor Bureau's 2021 spring travel marketing initiative was made possible in part by a grant from Travel Iowa.
