Winter is coming and it’s bringing plenty of frigid days to Council Bluffs! While normally that would mean exciting holiday events, interesting workshops, museum exploring and more—the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown quite a wrench into our normal winter itinerary. Fortunately, CB locals have found ways to provide us with safe winter fun by offering virtual events, outdoor exploration activities and implementing special COVID-19 precautions.
To help you get an idea of what you can do this season in Council Bluffs, we curated a list of the best things to do on a cold day in the area. Whether you’re looking to spend the day outside, socially distanced in the snow, or cozied up inside learning a new skill—we’ve got a little something for everyone on our list. Stay warm!
Visit the Elk & Bison at Botna Bend
Located right next to the Nishnabotna River, Botna Bend Park is a gorgeous place to visit and see wildlife all year round. But there’s just something special about seeing all the elk and bison surrounded by snow! The enclosed pastures are home to the area’s only bison and elk herds, which usually includes 9-12 animals. Park admission costs just $3 per vehicle per day or you can purchase a 12-month membership for $20.
Go Bowling at the Thunderbowl
When it’s too cold for fun outdoors, head to Council Bluffs’ favorite bowling alley: The Thunderbowl! Slip on some of those cool shoes, pick your ball and enjoy food and drinks at McCoy’s, the in-house bar and grill. Due to COVID-19, they may be limiting the number of people allowed in the bowling alley at once. We recommend calling to make a reservation before visiting.
Attend a Virtual Event at the Library
The library is always our first choice when it comes to finding things to do on days when it’s hard to be outside. So the next time you feel like curling up with a good book on a cold day, head to the Council Bluffs Public Library to check a few out. But, if you’d rather stay at home, the library also has a ton of online resources for you to explore, including e-books, audiobooks and a variety of virtual events! Click here for a full list of upcoming virtual events at the library, like author interviews, workshops, book clubs and more.
Sip Wine at Cellar 19
In addition to being one of the best restaurants in Council Bluffs, Cellar 19 offers a wide range of wines for you to indulge in. The next time it’s too cold outside to do anything fun, visit Cellar19 and warm up with a glass of vino and one of their famous charcuterie boards or one of their incredible desserts—all of which are made in house by a pastry chef. Currently, Cellar 19 is open for dining, curbside, carry out and delivery, so if you’d rather enjoy your wine and cheese at home, they’ve got you covered!
Go Snowshoeing at Hitchcock Nature Center
Photo courtesy of Pottawattamie Conservation
The Hitchcock Nature Center is a wonderland of things to do all year long! Not only do they offer fun hands-on activities for kids, but they also have a 45-foot-tall observation tower that gives visitors a unique birds-eye view of the rolling, snow-covered hills. This winter, don’t miss out on the chance to explore those rolling hills via snowshoes! The Hitchcock Nature Center offers more than 10 miles of trails that you can snowshoe and cross country ski during the snowy months. You can even rent your snowshoes from them at the Loess Hills Lodge. Due to all of the changes surrounding COVID-19, they recommend visiting their website before visiting to stay updated.
Try Your Hand at an Escape Room
We can’t think of a more fun indoor activity than an escape room! These quirky and exciting attractions invite you to work together, solve puzzles and (hopefully) escape within 60 minutes. The Cryptic Room in Council Bluffs gives you and your family the chance to put your heads together and hunt for clues. Choose from five different rooms—Paradise?, Great Aunt Myrtle Etherington, Into the Assassin’s Lair, C.O.R.E. Intruder, and Cave of Lost Souls. Do you think you’re up for the challenge? Due to COVID-19, all games must be reserved and prepaid either online or by phone. They also require the use of hand sanitizer before and after each game and highly recommend wearing face coverings. Click here for a list of their current COVID-19 policies and to make your reservation.
Take a Class at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center
The new Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center has become the home base for many of Council Bluffs’ beloved arts communities. It is now the permanent home to the Chanticleer Community Theater and the Kanesville Symphony Orchestra. They also have classrooms for arts classes, artist studios, art galleries and more. During the pandemic, they are continuing to offer fun, limited classes for all ages, from photography to ceramics! Click here to see this month’s class schedule and to register.
Explore the Union Pacific Railroad Museum – Virtually
In downtown Council Bluffs, you’ll find one of Council Bluffs’ crowning jewels: the Union Pacific Railroad Museum! It is located in the unique Beaux Arts-style building that formerly housed the Carnegie Library, the city’s first free public library. They are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19, but they are continuing to offer a variety of virtual programs for children and adults. Click here to explore upcoming free, online programs at the museum, from virtual classes to exciting happy hours!
Take a Virtual Workout Class
One of the best ways to stay warm during the winter is to get moving! Taking walks around your neighborhood, hitting the gym, and going on a fun winter hike are all ways you can get your blood pumping during the colder months. But if you’d rather stay at home, you’re in luck! Many local gyms, yoga studios, CrossFit boxes and more are offering online live streams of classes, easy-to-follow instructional videos, and personal virtual coaching to help keep you healthy during the pandemic. One of our favorites is First Row Fitness, a local rowing studio, which is offering Zoom classes every single week. Click here to see their packed schedule and to register!
Go Shopping
Whether you’re on the hunt for something specific, or you just need to get out of the house for a few hours, shopping is a great choice for a fun, exciting activity on a cold day! Luckily, Council Bluffs is home to several incredible small businesses and boutiques, where you can feel good about spending your money. Click here to peruse some of our favorites, from local fashion boutiques to antique stores and vinyl shops.
Relax with Coffee at Em & Liv’s Hard Bean Coffee
Photo courtesy of Em & Liv’s Hard Bean Coffee
One of our favorite ways to spend a cold day is settling in at a coffee shop with a warm cup of coffee and a tasty pastry. So the moment the temperature drops, you’ll probably find us relaxing at Em & Liv’s Hard Bean Coffee, CB’s favorite independent cafe! This adorable spot serves coffee, tea, smoothies and sparkling soda along with a limited menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, sides and snacks. They are currently open for dine-in and patio service, but masks are required inside when not eating or drinking.
Get Spooked at the Squirrel Cage Jail Museum
Sometimes, you just need a good scare to get your blood pumping! Luckily, Council Bluffs just happens to be home to our very own “haunted” attraction: The Historic Squirrel Cage Jail. This historic spot was once an actual jail, which was in use from 1885-1969. The one-of-a-kind structure was one of the 18 revolving “squirrel cage” or “lazy Susan” jails built at the time and the only three-story squirrel cage jail ever built. Today, it is said to be haunted by the old prisoners. Due to COVID-19, tours are only available by appointment and masks are required when inside the building. Click here to make your reservation! After your visit, you can decide for yourself: is there really such a thing as ghosts?
Indulge in Some Comfort Food at Tish’s Restaurant
Photo courtesy of Tish’s Restaurant
There’s nothing like comfort food on a freezing day and one of our favorite places to get some in Council Bluffs is Tish’s Restaurant! Tish’s started as a walk-up ice cream and sandwich counter in 1980 and has since grown into a full-service restaurant. They serve a variety of yummy entrees to satisfy every age group—from burgers to chicken and waffles. They are currently open for dine-in service with a limited capacity.
Brrrr!
What do you like to do in Council Bluffs when it’s cold outside? Let us know in the comments!