Amenities Columns

$$ | Miles | Fit | Kit | I'net

$$

This column indicates the typical price range of this hotel. We use the following codes: E=Economy, M=Midrange, U=Upscale, L=Luxury. Please note that room rates fluctuate (seasonal popularity, special events in the area, etc.).

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Miles

The approximate distance in miles from the exit to the hotel. These are calculations using GPS data. Distances along city streets will be somewhat different but this should give you a good idea of the distances to hotels near the cited Interstate exit.

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Fit

Hotels near I-80 in Council Bluffs offering  'fitness' or exercise facilities are indicated with an F in this column. If the hotel also has a spa, it is so indicated by an S in this column. Most hotels define a 'spa' as a large hot tub with built in water jets. In a few cases, fitness facilities and spas may be off-premises (entry by pass issued by the hotel) in which case dressing rooms are also present for your convenience.

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Kit

Hotels near I-80 in Council Bluffs offering a full kitchen or 'kitchenette' are indicated with an 'K' in this column. An 'M' in this column indicates microwave available. If the room also has a refrigerator, it is so indicated by an 'R' in this column. Many hotels have some rooms furnished with microwaves and small refrigerators but you have to request them. We list them only if there is not an additional charge (or so they have informed us).

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I'net

Hotels near I-80 in Council Bluffs offering Internet access are indicated (with an M for dial-up and W for wideband) in the I'net column. Please note that 'wideband' facilities vary. In addition to a network port (usually installed in the docking station), we suggest you bring along cables and your Windows distribution CD (in case you are required to load a special network driver). For 'dial up dataports', you would only need a modem and an RJ-11 patch cord (which you should always have with you, anyway).

To check rates, amenities or make hotel reservations, just click on the hotel name.

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Western Historic Trails Center
  3434 Richard Downing Avenue. Take exit 1B and go south on S. 24th Street one block to Richard Downing Avenue. Turn right (you'll see a grey stone wall with a National Park Service sign) and enjoy the 0.7 mile drive through river-bottom prairie grass.
  This official Iowa State Welcome Center has a historic bent. Council Bluffs was the springboard for the California Trail, Mormon Trail, Oregon Trail and many other trails used by the 19th Century pioneer-settlers moving westward in their prairie schooners, pulling handcarts, on horseback and even afoot. Though there are many stories of hardships, there are also many stories of incredible patience, persevering and  fortitude finalized with success.
  In the Visitors' Center, here, you can view displays depicting life during that period punctuated by many photographs. You also will have the opportunity to view a very interesting video presentation.
  A neat trail connects the Visitors' Center with a shore-side overview of the Missouri River. It is an easy, half-mile and a great break to sitting behind the wheel.

Kanesville Tabernacle and Visitor Center
  This is the authentically reconstructed replica of the original Mormon log tabernacle where Brigham Young was set apart as Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). The original building, which stood nearby, is said to have had the seating capacity of over 1,000 people.
  The Visitors' Center can tell you how to find the many other monuments, etc., regarding the ca 1850 Mormon settlement and the great migration west to Utah. They also show some films of historical interest. Located at 222 East Broadway.
    If you are eastbound and are already on I-480, where I-480 meets I-29, I-480 officially ends and becomes W. Broadway (US-6). Just continue eastbound on Broadway Benton Street (on your left one block after N. 1st Street).
  If you are on I-80, take exit 5 (Madison Avenue) and follow Madison Ave north (toward downtown). Madison eventually joins S. 1st Street. Continue on 1st St to Broadway. Turn right on Broadway, go one block to Benton and there it is on your left.
  April through October they are open daily from 9:30a-7p. November through March hours are 10a-5p daily. For more information, phone 1-712-322-0500.

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Railswest Railroad Museum
  It is difficult sometime to adequately explain to folks from other parts of the world just how important railroads were to the prairies and western mountains. Until the Lincoln Highway (no pavement, just gravel or graded dirt) was completed in 1922, the primary means of transportation (including livestock and other goods and not just people) and communication were the railroads - starting with the Union Pacific. The sight of one of the later steam locomotives - making you feel like a dwarf as you look up at the monster 0 is still a thrill to many even though they have not ever ridden on a train.  Here, in a restored 1899 Rock Island Depot, is a complete HO gauge model railroad. Outside are several steam locomotives, a restored mail car (just like in the Western movies) and a caboose.
  Admission $4 (kids 6 - 12, $2), From Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend they're open 10a-4p Tuesday - Saturday; 1-5p Sundays. Open weekends only through December from 1-5p.
  Located at 16th Avenue and South Main Street. From I-80 take exit 5. Turn left at the end of the off ramp if eastbound, right of westbound. The first street is Woodbury Ave. Turn left on Woodbury and follow it to where it joins US-375. Follow US-375 to 16th Avenue. Turn left, cross the tracks and there is the restored depot. For information, phone 1-712-323-5182.

Pottawattamie County Jail
  It is hard to imagine anything very interesting about a jail - but, this one is very different, - one of three remaining jails of this design. In the center of the building is a three-story high revolving drum. Each of the three floors of the drum contain 10 jail cells - like slices of pie. The purpose was to reduce the cost of having a lot of jailers. Did it work - a matter of opinion. It eventually came to be recognized that there is a safety problem with this design. The prisoners can't get out unless their individual cells are aligned with the exit opening. A fire would be a disaster for most inmates. It is interesting and open to tourists.
  When we were there, admission was $4; $2 for kids 6-12. June through August they're open 10a-4p Wednesday through Saturday, noon-4p Sundays. In May and in September they're only open weekends - noon-4p. Closed holidays and also the weekend following Labor Day. For more information, phone 1-712-323-2509.
  From I-80, take exit 5. Turn left at the end of the off ramp if eastbound, right if westbound. The first street is Woodbury Ave. Turn left on Woodbury and follow it to where it joins US-375. Follow US-375 to 16th Avenue. Turn left, cross the tracks, go a block and turn right on South Main street (just before you would cross the next track). Follow Main Street north and just after you cross another track is 9th Avenue. The third street on your left after 9th Avenue is Pearl (it leads off at a slight angle rather than as a cross street. The courthouse and jail is two more blocks on your left.