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SightseeingLocal Gem

Council Bluffs

509 23rd Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 · Council Bluffs, IA

Why you should go…

The Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau, rebranded as Unleash Council Bluffs, promotes tourism for Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County, Iowa, sitting on the Missouri River across from Omaha, Nebraska. The bureau markets area attractions, casinos, dining, and events and reported over $336 million in area visitor spending in 2023. It operates from an office at 509 23rd Ave, Council Bluffs.

  • #visitor center
  • #river town
  • #history
  • #free

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Council Bluffs, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Pottawattamie County

    Free

    Southwest Iowa county anchored by Council Bluffs, with riverfront trails and a historic downtown.

    Right next doorMore like this

  • Theatre & Events
    Local Gem

    Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center

    Under $25

    A 95,000-square-foot arts hub in Council Bluffs with a 280-seat theater, galleries, and studios.

    0.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Theatre & Events

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Omaha

    Free

    Nebraska's largest city, a Midwest hub of museums, riverfront parks, and the Henry Doorly Zoo.

    3.9 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    The Durham Museum

    Under $25

    Omaha's history museum inside a restored 1931 Art Deco Union Station.

    4.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Boys Town

    Free

    A century-old village near Omaha where Father Flanagan's mission to help children continues, with free museums open to visitors.

    14 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Family Favorite

    Sarpy County

    Free

    A fast-growing Omaha-area county with Fontenelle Forest, Schramm State Park, and family fun parks.

    17 mi awayMore like this