A Weekend Getaway to Council Bluffs
Day 1
Park at River’s Edge Park. Spend some time at Belle’s Play Garden. Then, walk across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Be sure to snap a photo when you are stepping on Iowa and Nebraska. Also, look under the bridge to find the troll waiting for you.
Once across head to the Kiewit Luminarium and enjoy this hands-on science museum. Make sure to sit in the pods that allow you to talk to each other. This was one of our favorite things to do at the museum!
After you have taken in all the science, fill up your appetite at the Fig Omaha café on site. There is a kid’s menu included. My daughter enjoyed the grilled cheese on our recent visit.
Then, spend more time at the museum or head outside to the free Lewis and Clark Landing park located right next to the museum. In the summer, there are plenty of water features and an urban beach area to play in. At other times of the years, it is just as fun. It has so many things to climb, a zip line, slides, tunnels to crawl through, and plenty of seating areas.
After, you have finished head back over the pedestrian bridge to your vehicle and take a much needed swimming break back at the hotel and order a pizza for dinner! Try Pizza Counter for a locally owned pizza shop.
Day 2
Head over to Lake Manawa State Park in the morning. Spend the day hiking, boating, or fishing. In the summer, enjoy swimming at Lake Manawa Beach. Don’t forget to play at Dreamland Playground that was inspired by 1,800 local children’s drawings. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the park.
When you are done at the park, head over to Doozie’s and enjoy some homemade ice cream.
In the evening either go indoor mini golfing at Pirate Putt Mini Golf or try your luck at go karts at Joe’s Karting.
Then, relax with a movie at AMC Theatres Council Bluffs. Be sure to look up at the dome when you enter the movie theater to take a look at the art work. On our recent trip, we stayed at My Place Hotel. It is located right next to the movie theater and we were able to walk right over.
There are also many museums, the Omaha Zoo, and plenty of restaurants to visit if you have more time in the area. Unleash Council Bluffs is a great resource to use to look up these and find out what current events are happening in the area.
Check out other destinations here.
What is your favorite thing to do in Council Bluffs? Share your experiences below.