A Guide to the Missouri River Scenic Byway

Guests ask our front desk almost daily what's worth seeing beyond the resort itself, and the honest answer usually starts with the byway that runs along the river just north of the property. It's not a long drive by any measure, but it packs in more variety than most first-time visitors expect.

The Lewis & Clark Monument

About eight minutes north of the resort, the monument and its scenic overlook sit on one of the higher points along the Loess Hills, with a clear view down onto the river and the Omaha skyline across the water. It's an easy stop — fifteen minutes if you just want the view, closer to forty-five if you walk the connecting trail.

Bayliss Park

Downtown Council Bluffs' central park anchors a short walkable stretch of restaurants and shops, with a fountain plaza that runs a light display most evenings after dark during the warmer months. It's a good stop to pair with a dinner reservation off-property, or just a walk after checking in.

The Squirrel Cage Jail Museum

A genuinely unusual stop — a rotating three-story jail structure that operated for decades and now runs as a small museum. Tours run on a fixed schedule rather than continuously, so it's worth calling ahead if this is the one thing you want to see on a day trip.

Crossing Into the Old Market District

The byway continues across the river into Omaha's Old Market, a cobblestone district of restaurants, galleries, and shops built into converted warehouse buildings. It's a reasonable evening add-on to a riverfront day — close enough that you're not committing your whole day, but different enough in character from the Iowa side to feel like a separate stop.

Most guests who ask about "the byway" end up doing the monument overlook and Bayliss Park in one afternoon, then save the Old Market for a separate evening.

Timing It Right

Late afternoon into early evening tends to be the best window — the overlook catches good light before sunset, and it lines up naturally with a dinner reservation either back at the resort or across the river. Ask our front desk for current hours on the jail museum before you go, since its schedule shifts seasonally.