Council Bluffs is a breath of fresh air, where something is always going on outdoors, be it a festival or a concert.
“We’re a river community on the Missouri River,” said Josee Beier, director of convention and sports sales at the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We have a view of the Omaha skyline — we’re actually in the Omaha metro area.”
The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connects Iowa and Nebraska by way of Council Bluffs and Omaha, and allows for pedestrians to walk and bike across the Missouri River.
The 100 Block of West Broadway Historic District is a gold mine for off-site venues, where restaurants, shops and art, as well as versatile meeting space, can be found. Bayliss Park Hall, an older, elegant site across from the same-named park, can hold around 100 guests both upstairs and downstairs. RNG Gallery houses the work of local artists and is partnered with Dixie Quicks, a restaurant that serves Southern cuisine with Southwest and Tex-Mex flair and that has been featured on the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
The 1892 Beer House is a German restaurant that features more than 100 craft beers. Rodeo BBQ, a hot spot for locals on nights and weekends, regularly has live bands and entertainment. The local farmers market is also hosted in the historic district on Thursday night, and people who go for the market stay to eat and shop.
Spotlight on Council Bluffs
Primary meeting facilities:
Mid-America Center
Other meeting properties:
Hilton Garden Inn at Horseshoe Casino, Holiday Inn at Ameristar Casino
Largest meeting space:
Mid-America Center at 64,000 square feet
Total hotel rooms:
1,400+
CVB website:
