Council Bluffs Uncovered: A Local's Guide to Iowa's Historic River City

First things first - Council Bluffs is absolutely stacked with history, and the best part? You won't be queueing behind hordes of tourists with selfie sticks.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is properly mint and completely free (yes, FREE - music to my budget-traveler ears). Housed in a gorgeous 1900s-era building, it's got interactive exhibits that even had this history-avoiding designer genuinely interested. My nephew was well into the simulator where you can drive a train - proper job for keeping the little ones engaged.

Just down the road, the Historic General Dodge House gives you Victorian mansion vibes without the posh price tag. Built by the bloke who helped create the transcontinental railroad, it's like stepping into a time machine for less than a tenner. The architecture is next level, and the guides know their stuff without being boring about it.

When you're exploring these historic spots, you'll want to keep hydrated. My insulated water bottle has been an absolute lifesaver on these Midwest adventures - keeps your water ice cold even when the autumn sun is surprisingly fierce.

If you're after proper views without dropping cash, Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park is the business. I stumbled across this spot during my first visit and couldn't believe the panoramic skyline of Omaha across the river - absolute postcard material, especially during sunset.

The park has this massive green space where families spread out picnic blankets, and kids go mental on the playground equipment. There's a class walking trail along the Missouri River that connects to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (the locals call it the 'Bob'). Walking this bridge is a bit of a laugh because you can literally stand with one foot in Iowa and one in Nebraska - proper tourist moment but worth it for the 'gram.

During autumn, the trees here go all golden and red, making it a proper stunner for photos. I always pack my lightweight picnic blanket which folds up tiny but gives you a clean, dry spot to chill without the grass stains. Dead useful for impromptu riverside hangs when the weather's playing nice.

If you're visiting with little ones, bring along a pocket kite - the open space and river breeze make for perfect kite-flying conditions, and it's one of those simple activities that somehow never gets old.

Right in the center of Council Bluffs sits Bayliss Park, which is basically the community's living room. It's had a proper glow-up in recent years and now features this wicked water feature called the Wellspring that lights up at night. My design brain goes into overdrive here - the fountain's geometric patterns are pure inspiration.

What makes this spot mint for families is how it transforms with the seasons. During fall, the trees drop these gorgeous amber and crimson leaves everywhere, and the park hosts harvest festivals with local crafters (reminded me a bit of my mum's pottery community back in Liverpool).

The Black Squirrel statue is a quirky local icon - apparently these black squirrels are unique to the area, and kids love climbing on it for photos. There's also a proper cozy café across from the park called Dixie Quicks where you can warm up with a hot chocolate when the autumn chill kicks in.

If you're visiting with kids, bring a travel sketch set - the fountain sculptures and fall colors make for brilliant drawing subjects. My little cousin spent hours sketching here while I caught up on some design work. The park has free Wi-Fi too, which is a lifesaver for digital nomads like yours truly.

Let's chat food, because Council Bluffs has some proper tasty spots that won't rinse your wallet.

Boxer Barbeque is my go-to whenever I'm in town - this unassuming joint serves up the kind of smoked brisket that would make a Texan jealous (don't tell my Corpus Christi mates I said that). Their fall special with apple-infused BBQ sauce is next level, and the portions are massive enough to feed a small army. A full meal here sets you back about the same as a fancy coffee in bigger cities.

La Mesa dishes up authentic Mexican that reminds me of my surf trips down to Baja - their street tacos are the real deal and dead cheap. They've got this salsa verde that I'd happily drink straight from the bowl if society allowed such behavior.

For breakfast, Duncan's Café is a proper institution - old-school American diner vibes with pancakes the size of your head. The locals pack this place out on weekends, which is always a good sign.

When I'm hitting multiple food spots in a day (for research purposes, obviously), I always bring my collapsible food container for leftovers. Saves cash and reduces waste - my mum would be proud of my sustainable habits!

For a proper dose of pioneer history without the tourist markup, the Western Historic Trails Center is an absolute gem. It sits just off I-80, but feels worlds away with its prairie landscape and winding trails.

The center tells the story of the Lewis and Clark, Mormon, Oregon and California trails - basically all the major westward routes that shaped America. What's mint is how they've preserved the surrounding landscape to look similar to what those early travelers would have seen. The autumn prairie grasses turn this golden color that's absolutely stunning for photos.

Inside, they've got these interactive exhibits where kids can pack a wagon for the Oregon Trail (without the dysentery, thankfully). The staff here are proper history buffs who can tell you tales that never made it into the textbooks.

The nature trails outside are perfect for a family wander, with interpretive signs explaining the native plants and wildlife. I spotted some class birds on my last visit - apparently it's a bit of a hotspot for birdwatchers.

If you're bringing the little ones along, I'd recommend packing a kids adventure kit with binoculars and magnifying glass - turns the nature walk into a proper expedition. My friend's kids were buzzing about their 'discoveries' for days after.