Celebrate America’s 250th by exploring the roots and impact that shaped it. From powerful tributes and larger-than-life memorials to can’t-miss events and experiences, this is your guide to meaningful stops you can explore in a single visit or a full day of discovery.
Plan Your America 250 Experience
Follow the Stars & Bronze Tribute Trail
Explore Pottawattamie County on a self-guided journey that connects communities through stories of service, sacrifice, and hometown pride. Visit a few meaningful stops or follow the trail for a full day of exploration.
Veterans Plaza at Bayliss Park
Why it matters:
Honors Pottawattamie County veterans who gave their lives in service.
What to do:
Walk through the plaza, read the names, and take a quiet moment in the heart of downtown Council Bluffs.
Pottawattamie Freedom Rock
Why it matters:
A powerful, hand-painted tribute honoring veterans and American history.
What to do:
Stop for photos and take in the detailed artwork that tells stories of service and sacrifice.
Eagles of Honor (Multiple Locations)
Why it matters:
Recognizes local heroes with bronze eagle sculptures placed across the county.
What to do:
Seek out multiple locations and experience how each community honors its own.
First Responders Public Safety Plaza
Why it matters:
Honors the service and sacrifice of first responders who protect communities every day.
What to do:
Visit the plaza, take in the memorial elements, and reflect on the role of public safety in local communities.
Historic Squirrel Cage Jail & Deputy Mark Burbridge Memorial
Why it matters:
Offers a unique look at early law enforcement history while honoring the service and sacrifice of Deputy Mark Burbridge.
What to do:
Step inside the one-of-a-kind rotary jail for a guided tour, then visit the nearby memorial to reflect on the role of law enforcement in protecting the community.
Experience America 250 This Season
Throughout the year, Pottawattamie County brings America 250 to life through events that celebrate history, community, and the spirit of the nation. From railroad heritage to patriotic traditions, these moments offer meaningful ways to experience the celebration.
All Aboard for Railroad Days
Celebrate CB (May 4–10) brings a full week of festivities, highlighted by Railroad Days on May 10—a tribute to National Train Day and Council Bluffs’ deep railroad roots.
What to expect:
- Hands-on exhibits and historic locomotives
- Scenic trolley tours and interactive experiences
- Family-friendly activities throughout the week
The celebration builds to the Celebrate CB Parade on May 9, featuring marching bands, floats, and hometown spirit.
For an even deeper connection to America’s early expansion, visit the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, where the original Louisiana Purchase Proclamation of 1803 will be on display as part of the Nation Before the Railroad exhibit.
Experience The Wall That Heals
Memorial Day weekend offers a powerful opportunity to reflect and honor those who served.
Coming May 22–25, 2026, Pottawattamie County will host The Wall That Heals at Lewis Central High School—a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
What to expect:
- Engraved names honoring those who served
- Opportunities for name rubbings
- A mobile Education Center with stories and artifacts
Celebrate Freedom in the Sky
Summer brings patriotic traditions that light up the season.
Lake Manawa Fireworks
Each year around Independence Day, Lake Manawa Fireworks light up the sky over Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs, creating a night of celebration filled with hometown pride.
Defenders of Freedom Air & Space Show
On August 8–9 at Offutt Air Force Base, the Defenders of Freedom Air & Space Show delivers thrilling aerial demonstrations and a powerful tribute to those who defend our freedoms.
American Discovery Trail 250 Relay
This fall, experience a piece of a 6,800-mile coast-to-coast journey as the American Discovery Trail 250 Relay passes through Iowa from September 26 to October 5.
The relay arrives in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro on September 23 and departs for Red Oak on September 26, offering a unique opportunity to take part as it moves through the region.
Connecting communities across the country in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the relay invites participants to walk, run, or ride along portions of the trail—bringing the spirit of exploration and connection to life right here in the region.
Visit discoverytrail.org to learn more and get involved.
Make It a Meaningful Day
Turn your visit into a more complete experience:
- Walk across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
- Explore the Historic 100 Block for food and drinks
- Take in views along the Missouri River
Extend your experience beyond the trail.
Discover the Stories That Shaped Council Bluffs
From historic homes to landmark viewpoints, these sites offer deeper insight into the people, places, and moments that shaped Council Bluffs and the nation.
Historic Sites & Local Landmarks
Step inside local history at the Historic General Dodge House and the one-of-a-kind Historic Squirrel Cage Jail—two places that bring the past to life through preserved spaces and stories.
Scenic Overlooks & Defining Moments
Take in sweeping views from the Lewis & Clark Monument Scenic Overlook, where the Missouri River, Loess Hills, and Omaha skyline meet. Dedicated in 1936, the monument commemorates the 1804 expedition and the explorers’ meeting with the Otoe and Missouri tribes.
Visit the Lincoln Monument, marking the site where Abraham Lincoln met with General Grenville Dodge in 1859—a pivotal moment that helped shape the vision for the transcontinental railroad. Today, the site offers both historical significance and elevated views of the surrounding landscape.
Mormon Heritage & Westward Expansion
Step into sites that tell the story of westward expansion and early settlement in the region:
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Visit Kanesville Memorial, where Mormon pioneers gathered before heading west, and Brigham Young was sustained as president in 1846
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Walk in pioneer footsteps at the Grand Encampment / Mormon Battalion Mustering Grounds Marker, where 500 men began their journey
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See the Original Mormon Trail Settlement Site near Old Macedonia, marked by a red granite boulder honoring the 1846 crossing
New experiences and locations are added throughout the year.
Plan Your Visit
Experience the places and moments that bring 250 years of American history to life! Explore hotels in Council Bluffs and make your visit part of the story by clicking the button below.
