Fantastic museum! So much more to see here than I initially imagined. So many items to look at and…read morelearn about Iowa's history. The welcome center has a lot of information and wonderful gifts to buy. They had a farmers market going on while we were there as well with local fruits, vegetables and other items.

Really neat place. I especially enjoyed the one-room school house. Wonderful antiques and exhibits…read moreto look at. I bought some cherry juice made locally. After I was given a sample I couldn't resist! Some exhibit halls are air conditioned and there's plenty of picnic tables and benches placed around the grounds. A beautiful hill and easy trails. Even a couple of Geocaches to find! Gift shop is super nice. Staff are super nice. One woman even went outside with me and helped me find a Geocache. Wonderful stop. Great for all ages. There's a really cute train area outside for the kiddos and plenty of photo ops!

Life as a prisoner is not for me. There's a friendly…read moreattendant at the entrance to guide you and give info annoy the jail. Very interesting especially for my hubby and his friend.

Chances are that the Squirrel Cage Jail is unlike anything you have seen before…read more.. There were only 18 revolving/rotary jailhouses ever built -- and only 3 of them still remain as museums. Additionally, this one in Council Bluffs, Iowa was the only 3-story structure of this type. Built in 1885, it functioned as a county jail until 1969. You will enjoy visiting this unique place!

This is a very simple statement of one family and specifically 2 people Granville Dodge and his…read morewife. The description above does a very good job of telling you what to see. During the summer it is a fountain, although the city has been having problems with the piping and it seems to off frequently. If you take the time to stand or sit by the edge of the fountain there is a quiet presence. That it is even here is a story because when the next generations of the Dodge family left Council Bluffs the stature was dismantled and stored in their basement. Many years later when the property was bought with the intent of restoring it to its original look the statue was found. Eventually, a suitable location was found to place it. A personal side note because I live only a few houses from the angel. While they deny it now the Angel goes through stages of legends being told by the kids nearby. She is said to talk or move possibly even cry at certain times of the year. Full moons and Halloween are considered prime times. None of us can verify if any of the legends are true but I know of several 'now adults' who visited the Angel when they were kids usually without their parent's knowledge or approval.

Yes I'm reviewing another cemetery. My friend has a thing for these black angels scattered through…read moreIowa so we found another one (I previously reviewed one in Iowa City). Locally known in Council Bluffs as the "Black Angel," this statue was inspired by visions experienced by Ruth Anne Dodge, the wife of General Dodge, in 1916 on the three nights preceding her death. This memorial sculpture, dedicated in 1920, represents a dream experienced by Ruth Anne Dodge. The angel, on the prow of a boat, extends her hand and offers the water of life. The solid bronze statue, commissioned by the Dodges' two daughters, was created by Daniel Chester French who call the Black Angel one of his finest works. French is known nationally for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. According to the legend, Mrs. Dodge related to family members that she had a vision of being on a rocky shore and, through a mist, seeing a boat approach. In the prow was a beautiful young woman whom Mrs. Dodge thought to be an angel. The woman carried a small bowl under one arm and extended the other arm toward Mrs. Dodge in an invitation to partake of the water flowing from the vessel. Then, according to accounts later published by Mrs. Dodge's daughter, Anne, the angel spoke twice, saying: "Drink, I bring you both a promise and a blessing." The daughter wrote that the vision came three times to her mother and, on the third visit, Mrs. Dodge took the drink as offered and felt "transformed into a new and glorious spiritual being." Mrs. Dodge died immediately after her supposed third vision, on September 5, 1916. She had died in her sleep at her home in New York. Her body was brought back to Council Bluffs where she was buried in a mausoleum in Walnut Hill Cemetery. The memorial was commissioned in 1917 to Daniel Chester French, the same man who sculpted the statue of the Minute Man in Concord, Massachusetts and the Lincoln Memorial Statue in Washington DC. The ten foot tall angel statue is made of solid bronze. The construction of the statue took approximately two years, and the cost of the statue was reported at around $40,000. Council Bluffs began its fine military record during the Civil War when, in 1861, the attack on Fort Sumter brought four companies of the town's volunteers to the famed Fourth Iowa Infantry. In command was Captain Grenville M. Dodge, later promoted to Colonel, then General. As the War ended, Dodge returned to the Bluffs, built an impressive home on Third Street for his wife, Ruth Anne, and family, and took a job as surveyor and chief engineer for the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. Four years prior to the War, Abraham Lincoln, in a personal visit, had designated Council Bluffs as the eastern terminus for this first transcontinental line. Dodge later built railroads all over the world and was president of seven of them before he died. Grenville's daughters, Anne Dodge and Eleanor Dodge Pusey, commissioned and contributed this city's most valuable work of art in memory of their mother, Ruth Anne Dodge. Located very near to the cemetery where The Black Angel is located, is a monument marking the spot where Abe Lincoln selected this as the terminus of The Union Pacific Railroad. This impressive pylon was erected in July, 1911 and commemorates Abraham Lincoln's visit to the site in 1859. From this site, Lincoln viewed and selected the Eatern Terminus of the first transcontinental railroad built on the United States.

There are some nice exhibits and gardens here; however, more maintenance is needed for much of the…read moregrounds. We liked the monument stones which detail past U.S. Presidents, Nebraska governors, etc.; nevertheless, they need to be updated for recent elections. The gazebo exhibit includes several interesting displays of President and Betty Ford along with audio recordings.

This was near my hotel and it was pleasant garden to visit. It is well maintained and lookout for…read morewho's peeking through the bushes

Had a family day recently at the Durham to check out the newest exhibit, Disney: Heroes & Villains,…read moreand we had the best time! We loved seeing Cinderella's dress up close, admiring all the incredible details of Maleficent, and taking part in the scavenger hunt (don't forget to grab it at the front desk!). Such a fun, interactive exhibit that's truly great for all ages. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTDRNvYs7/

I was in town visiting and wanted to see how Omaha's Union Station compares to the one we have back…read morehome. It was built in 1931 in the Art Deco style and designed by LA architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood. The museum has lots of photographs and examples of materials used that would be a delight for all those interested in architecture. Downstairs was the train depot and where you can go inside and sit in the train cars. Most of the rooms appeared to be part of their permanent collection, but part of the downstairs area has rotating exhibits. The exhibit on display was "The Negro Motorist Green Book" which you may be familiar with if you watched the 2018 film "Green Book." I had a great time at the museum and would return, although check the calendar as I went when the NE SciFest going on and I prefer calmer museum visits. Still, definitely would recommend checking it out!

We visited this site as part of a church history tour and spent a couple of memorable hours there…read more We loved everything about it! The exhibits are very well done, the paintings are beautiful, the tour guide was expertly knowledgeable, and the messages portrayed were inspiring!

This is an amazing place. You will love the exhibits and enjoy the peaceful spirit as you journey…read moreback in time. Check out the Winter Quarters Temple across the street.

It was a super idea to put a tower at this spot because it provides great views of the entire…read moresurrounding area. Iowa has some beautiful countrysides and this tower allows sweeping views of the Loess Hills and the upper Missouri Valley region. Although the tower is constructed of wood, it is reinforced with some metal plates and is sturdy enough for anyone who is not afraid of hearing a few creaks as you climb. Scenic vistas reward visitors who make this tiny detour off the interstate.

Scenic Overlook Tower just South of Missouri Valley in the Honey Creek, Loveland IA area…read more Picnic tables are available in a large grassy area of the park. There is plenty of parking, handicap spots as well. A large paved loop allows for scenic looking from your vehicle and additional parking area. Restrooms were very well maintained and cleaned. Trash was emptied and ground are kept neat and looking great. No Wi-Fi or vending machines are available at this rest area. Really good place to climb up, check out the area or just grab lunch head out here and hang out a bit taking in the sights.

This toll bridge needs to get with the times and accept credit cards. This bridge is not clearly…read moremarked as a toll bridge until you stumble right upon it. The lady that runs this bridge is extremely rude. I told her I didn't have any cash. She asked me where I was going, not that it's any of her business anyway. I told her I was going home. She asked me if I live in Plattsmouth. I said no. She got extremely rude and told me "no, turn around and go back the other way." She has meaness in her tone and is really cold and brass. Her whole demeanor changed when I said I'm not from Plattsmouth. This bridge is a joke.

There are a couple of options for getting across the Missouri River and today's route brought me…read moreover the Plattsmouth Bridge which joins Cass County, Nebraska and Mills County, Iowa. Exiting from I-29 for Pacific Junction, it is around three miles from the highway before you can see the bridge as you get close. The other nearest options are in Nebraska City or Platte. This bridge has a clearance of 14 feet 5 inches. It is a classic truss bridge that is only twenty feet wide (two narrow opposing lanes!) with concrete sides. The seven spans were built in 1929 and replaced a ferry that previously operated here. On the Nebraska side of the river is a manually operated toll booth which charges $1.75 for cars. The young lady who took my money was friendly enough. There is a small turnoff on the Iowa side where you can get a picture of the bridge there and a small parking area on the Nebraska side where you can stop. [Review 11351 overall, 1128 of 2019. My first review in Nebraska!]

Nice roadside Veterans Memorial with a bronze Eagle "Road to Honor" sculpted by local artist…read moreRussell Christensen.