Council Bluffs, IA

Council Bluffs was named after the historic councils between explorers from the east (including Lewis and Clark) and the local Indian populations. Over time, Council Bluffs became a strategic meeting location and a major stop for railroads. With a rich industrial history, Council Bluffs has had to reinvent itself in modern times; downtown urban renewal and the addition of casinos has helped keep the town relevant. An active Arts Council promotes small-scale art events around town.

A relic from times past, the Pottawattamie County Jail, known as the "Squirrel Cage Jail," built in 1885 now serves as a museum. The Squirrel Cage featured a unique design, encompassing a rotary jail situated on a turntable that the warden cranked by hand. It's a popular attraction around Halloween.

Although much of Council Bluffs has a definitively suburban feel with a variety of large chain restaurants and fast-food options, some unique businesses can be found hidden around town. For example, Boxer Barbeque on Creek Top still makes everything from scratch; no pre-made, generic sauces for this BBQ joint. Boxer smokes its meats with hickory, apple, peach, pecan and their own secret wood to create one-of-a-kind flavors. If the weather permits, grab a pulled pork sandwich with cornbread and baked beans before heading to nearby Bayliss Park for a heavenly picnic, but make sure to bring napkins.

Check out Dixie Quick's on Broadway for an eclectic blend of Southern, Cajun and Tex-Mex flavors. The restaurant itself seems small and delightfully artsy, so reservations might be recommended during peak dining times. For breakfast, the Cactus Scramble, with cactus, eggs and black beans, or any of the decadent French Toast selections rank as hard to beat. For lunch, the Tofu Veggie sandwich with collard greens or black eyed peas defines comfort food at its very best.

Looking for something more romantic? The intimate ambiance at Cellar 19 with its killer appetizers, such as the cheese board complemented with grapes and almonds, impressive wine selection, and fresh sandwiches make it the perfect spot to take your special someone for a glass of wine and nibbles, or a relaxing lunch.

For late night entertainment, locals check out the bars, music venues and gaming tables found in the three large casinos housed within Council Bluffs. From cover bands to big names passing through, residents rarely find themselves at a loss for nighttime fun. Not into the casino scene? Check out Barleys Bar, found on the 100 Block, a historic area of Council Bluffs home to a wide variety of bars and restaurants. With cheap drink specials, historic appeal and a salad bar, Barleys has a distinct appeal. If you don't feel like a meal, complimentary popcorn fills the rooms with a buttery good scent.

Living and working around Council Bluffs remains somewhat difficult without a personal vehicle. Parking in residential areas comes as a snap, and visitors find metered parking in the old downtown area. Easy access to Interstates 29 and 80 makes travel into downtown Omaha or other areas in the region fairly convenient.

Uber's availability only extends into the western half of the Council Bluffs area, but a metro bus system provides a fairly complete network of public transportation options, and bike racks on the buses allow residents to bike to a local station with ease. While bike lanes are only found on the largest roads, many of the roads crisscrossing Council Bluffs are considered bike friendly and make for reasonable travel via bicycle or on foot. The city's ample trails and wide residential sidewalks make recreational walking or biking a pleasure.

Council Bluffs, proud of its Parks and Recreation division, touts 27 parks, and 31 miles of walking and biking trails. With prairies, wetlands, forests and grand hills, Council Bluffs provides a rich diversity of outdoor exploratory opportunities. In addition to neighborhood parks, golf courses, an ATV Park and a skate park provide residents with plenty of excuses to get outside.

Bayliss Park, centrally located at the corner of 192 and 1st Avenue, sits ringed by beautiful historic buildings, features a fountain with light displays and a courtyard with benches perfect for a quick lunch. During the summer months bring your lawn chair or blanket, and settle down for a family friendly movie in the park. Although Council Bluffs doesn't have a dedicated dog park, Lake Manawa State Park, with its large natural lake and extensive trail system, remains popular with boating enthusiasts and dog lovers alike.

The cost of living in Council Bluffs remains slightly lower than the Omaha average, with housing costing about 10 percent less. The average rental rate runs about $719 a month, and one can generally find a one-bedroom apartment for under $600.

A domestic beer will cost you around $3.25, and a coffee in a coffeehouse likely runs just over $4, just slightly higher than average. Gas prices, however, sit at about 12 percent less than the national average, which works out great for this car-centric part of the country.

Typical for most suburban areas, Council Bluffs primarily has big-box and large-chain stores in shopping malls or strip malls, but local gems do exist. With several large shopping districts such as the Mall of the Bluffs, the Plaza, Metro Crossing Shopping Center and Marketplace Council Bluffs, shopping remains a favorite hobby of many locals. For one-of-a-kind finds, visit Jan-Tiques on Main Street--a quirky antique shop full of toys, furniture, crocks, tools, art and other distinctive items. Looking for an unconventional gift for a friend? Check out the Olive Branch on the outskirts of town. From fragrant soy candles and eccentric jewelry to bread mixes and books by local authors, one could spend an afternoon browsing the sweet smelling shelves of this gift shop. Chain groceries stores such as Hy-Vee claim the norm in Council Bluffs, but a few locally owned stores do exist. Bambi's Green Acres Natural Market on South Main, for example, prides itself on its one-on-one customer service, selection of natural supplements and foods, and variety of natural pet foods. Alternatively, a farmer's market, found on the corner of Main and Kanesville Blvd, presents fresh veggies and fruits, baked goods, and homemade jams and jellies every Saturday morning from May through October.