The following 12 attractions are just the beginning of all that the city offers.ĭream Playground at Lake Manawa State Park This monumental development transformed the city into a bustling hub of commerce and innovation, connecting people and places in unprecedented ways. The Union Pacific Railroad, whose museum now stands in downtown Council Bluffs, established its eastern terminus in the city. In the mid-19th century, the city further cemented its place in history as a railroad powerhouse. This rendezvous point symbolized hope and adventure, attributes that are ingrained in the very fabric of Council Bluffs’ identity even today. It was an assembly point for pioneers preparing to embark on their journey across the great plains. Their encounter with the Otoe tribe on the bluffs of the Missouri River in 1804 marked the city’s first claim to fame, sowing the seeds of a rich and diverse cultural lineage.Īs pioneers passed through the area, Council Bluffs became a gateway to the western frontier. In its earliest days, the region witnessed the historic Lewis and Clark expedition, which charted a course through unexplored American territories.
Dining in Council Bluffs: Top restaurants and local cuisines.