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Pottawattamie County, Council Bluffs, IA
SightseeingOutdoor AdventureLocal Gem

Pottawattamie County

509 23rd Avenue · Council Bluffs, IA

Why you should go…

Pottawattamie County Tourism, branded Watta Way, is the official tourism organization for Pottawattamie County, Iowa, home to Council Bluffs. It promotes outdoor recreation such as Lake Manawa State Park and the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, along with the historic 100 Block of West Broadway and the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. The county sits across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska, and includes 16 communities.

  • #trails
  • #county
  • #hiking
  • #history

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 Pottawattamie County, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Council Bluffs

    Free

    Visitor information for Council Bluffs, Iowa, a Missouri River city across from Omaha at the gateway to the Loess Hills.

    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
    Free

    Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

    Free

    Walk or bike 3,000 feet across the Missouri River and stand with one foot in Nebraska and one in Iowa at the state line.

    4.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

    $25–$50

    Walk through an indoor desert, an indoor rainforest and a 70-foot shark tunnel at this Omaha zoo and aquarium.

    4.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions