{"id":89009,"date":"2021-06-14T00:00:48","date_gmt":"2021-06-14T00:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.npdodge.com\/blog\/?p=78872"},"modified":"2021-06-14T00:00:48","modified_gmt":"2021-06-14T00:00:48","slug":"things-council-bluffs-summer-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/2021\/06\/things-council-bluffs-summer-2\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Things You Should Do In Council Bluffs This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Warm breezes,\u00a0green grass, ice cream and the smell of sunscreen\u2014summer is on its\u00a0way,\u00a0and we couldn’t be more excited!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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While\u00a0<\/span>Council Bluffs<\/span><\/a>, Iowa\u00a0may not be everyone\u2019s\u00a0idea of a “summer destination,” it should\u00a0be! CB is home to some fantastic parks, lakes, festivals, farmers’ markets and more, making it the perfect place to enjoy\u00a0some\u00a0spectacular seasonal fun. To prove it to you, we’ve rounded up 12 things you should do in the area this summer. How many will you be able to get to\u00a0this season?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Go\u00a0skateboarding<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"City<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of\u00a0Broadway Skate Park<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you\u2019ve got a budding Tony Hawk in your family, don\u2019t miss Council Bluff’s own\u00a0<\/span>Broadway Skate Park<\/span><\/a>! This skatepark\u2014which is open every day from 6 a.m.-11 p.m.\u2014is a\u00a0poured concrete facility that features a snake run,\u00a04-foot bowl, fun box, rail stairs and a \u00bc pipe. Stop by\u00a0<\/span>Silo<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in Omaha, one of our favorite destinations for skateboards in the area, and head over!\u00a0<\/span>Click here<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to read the current park rules and guidelines before you go.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Explore the\u00a0library<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The library is always our first choice when it comes to\u00a0finding affordable, family-friendly activities in the Council Bluffs area.\u00a0So,\u00a0the next time you feel like curling up with a good book,\u00a0head to the\u00a0<\/span>Council Bluffs Public Library<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to check a few out.\u00a0If you\u2019d 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!\u00a0<\/span>Click here<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for a full list of upcoming virtual events at the library, like author interviews, workshops, book clubs and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Go to the farmers’\u00a0market<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Omaha<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of\u00a0The Farmers Market Council Bluffs<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Farmers Market Council Bluffs<\/span><\/a>\u00a0pops up in Bayliss Park every Thursday evening between May and September. This lively summertime community tradition features fresh produce, baked goods and talented artists. It is a wonderful place to wind down at the end of the day, grab some last-minute farm-fresh ingredients for dinner, and support local businesses all the while!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Time travel back to 1869 at the\u00a0<\/span>Historic General Dodge House<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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One of Council Bluffs\u2019 most famous residents, and the brother of NP Dodge Real Estate\u2019s founder, was General Grenville M. Dodge, who resided in this historic landmark. His primary achievement is being considered \u201cthe greatest railroad builder of all time,\u201d but General Dodge has a diverse list of accolades as a Civil War veteran who was involved in the political, financial and military affairs of the United States. You can visit his gorgeous Victorian home, which he built in 1869 with a mere $35,000, Tuesday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. or Sundays from 1\u20135 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Go\u00a0swimming<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"erik-dungan-lNUi7W4iwok-unsplash\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Lake Manawa State Park<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in Council Bluffs is a popular destination for swimmers and sunbathers of all ages. The modern beach facility at Lake Manawa is a wonderful clean location to enjoy the lake \u2014 both underwater\u00a0and\u00a0alongside the water. There are plenty of picnic\/shelter areas, trails, and other lake activity options (such as boating and fishing) in this park, so there is plenty to do during your visit!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Watch the sunset at\u00a0<\/span>Lewis & Clark Monument Scenic Overlook<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Grab some ice cream from\u00a0<\/span>Christie Creme<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and head up to\u00a0Lewis & Clark Monument Scenic Overlook\u00a0for the perfect end to any summer day. This is one of our favorite spots in the city, offering a fantastic view of both Council Bluffs and Omaha. Take a moment to explore the monument, which honors the 1804 expedition of Lewis and Clark and their historic meeting with Otoe and Missouria tribesman, and then\u00a0enjoy the sunset over the skyline.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Try your hand at\u00a0pickleball<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Bluffs-Pickleball\"<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Unleash CB<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you\u2019re looking to get into a new sport\u2014head to\u00a0<\/span>Iowa West Pickleball<\/span><\/a>! This new indoor, six-court facility offers tons of fun for the whole family. Right now, they are only allowing visitors with reservations to play due to the pandemic. To reserve the court for two hours, it\u2019s only $5 per player. They are also implementing a 15-minute window between sessions, to give visitors the chance to vacate the area. They also ask that you bring your own pickleball and paddles.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Get spooked at the\u00a0<\/span>Squirrel Cage Jail<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Sometimes, you just need a good scare to get your blood pumping! Luckily, Council Bluffs just happens to be home to our very own \u201chaunted\u201d 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 \u201csquirrel cage\u201d or \u201clazy Susan\u201d 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.\u00a0<\/span>Click here<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to make your reservation!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Walk along the\u00a0<\/span>Wabash Trace Nature Trail<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Is there a better way to celebrate a warm summer day than\u00a0by\u00a0taking a hike?\u00a0The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a converted railroad right-of-way running 63 miles through the scenic southwest Iowa countryside. On the trail, you\u2019ll travel through the picturesque Loess Hills, over 72 bridges, four different counties, and even a few ghost towns! You can traverse the entire 63 miles by foot, bicycle, wheelchair, ski or snowshoe, but no motorized vehicles are permitted.\u00a0<\/span>Click here<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for a map of the trail and information on what you can do along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Dine\u00a0outside<\/span><\/h2>\n
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