Hotel stay - Council Bluffs/I-29 or Omaha airport area better ?

[Go West Old Man]

We’re planning our October WY hunt trip travel and will drive from GA. Day one destination and overnight hotel stay likely to be Council Bluffs/I-29 area or Omaha airport area depending on hotel pick. Is one of these area’s better than the other, safer than the other, better area for plenty restaurants to get some supper ? I do see that a section of I-29 is closed for construction.

Note: Rokslider tips and suggestions are really great for travel planning! Wife & I did a sightseeing WY & SD vacation last full week of June. Tips & suggestions on hotels, restaurants, and things to see and do from Roksliders on a previous post/thread were spot-on and a HUGE help. Thanks Rokslide!

 

[BeastOfTheTrees]

Council bluffs holiday inn express was nice enough for me I thought

 

[Skerhunter]

Are you taking 80 or 90 to wyoming? Council bluffs by the horseshoe casino is a nice area right off the interstate.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I live in Western Iowa and Omaha airport area would be my last resort. Council Bluffs area would be my choice every time.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Are you taking 80 or 90 to wyoming? Council bluffs by the horseshoe casino is a nice area right off the interstate.

There are a few truck stops, the casino/hotel, a Bass Pro, and a really good little local dive restaurant in that area. I absolutely recommend the place, it's called "The Porch". We hit it whenever we're passing through the area. Excellent scratch food and full bar. Liquor store next door too if you're planning to grab some drinks for the trip.

If you're more of a chain restaurant group, there is also a Texas Roadhouse, Applebees, and the regular interstate fast food options around.

 

[jdinville3]

Just a recommendation, but it might be best to find something in the western Omaha area. Depending on what time you plan to hit the road again, morning traffic going west in Omaha on 80 isn't great during rush hours.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Just a recommendation, but it might be best to find something in the western Omaha area. Depending on what time you plan to hit the road again, morning traffic going west in Omaha on 80 isn't great during rush hours.

Agree with this as well. It's not extreme traffic, especially if you're from GA and regualarly suffer Atlanta traffic, but it can be a pain in the butt for sure unless you plan to hit the road early.

There is a Cabelas and several hotel options/chain restaurants in La Vista (West Omaha). If you plan to sleep in, this is far enough west that traffic is no big deal at all, and you'll be out of the city and going 75 in a few minutes.

 

[ShawnStonefly]

Agree with this as well. It's not extreme traffic, especially if you're from GA and regualarly suffer Atlanta traffic, but it can be a pain in the butt for sure unless you plan to hit the road early.

There is a Cabelas and several hotel options/chain restaurants in La Vista (West Omaha). If you plan to sleep in, this is far enough west that traffic is no big deal at all, and you'll be out of the city and going 75 in a few minutes.

I stay at the Marriott by that Cabelas alot for work and its a good spot, seemed less likely to get your car broken into especially compared to the airport/Creighton area. The restaurants in the immediate area are mostly chains but a quick drive get you into some good local places and microbreweries

 

[Go West Old Man]

Are you taking 80 or 90 to wyoming? Council bluffs by the horseshoe casino is a nice area right off the interstate.

Google maps say I-90. Just want to be sure we don’t unknowingly make a hotel reservation in a bad part of town.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I-90. Just want to be sure we don’t unknowingly make a hotel reservation in a bad part of town.

Roger that, so taking I29 to 90 then. In that case, go with the Council Bluffs suggestion and hit The Porch for supper.

Omaha airport area is not good.

 

[Go West Old Man]

Just a recommendation, but it might be best to find something in the western Omaha area. Depending on what time you plan to hit the road again, morning traffic going west in Omaha on 80 isn't great during rush hours.

Thanks. Western Omaha…., like as in where? We’ll be continuing our drive early next morning via I-29 to I-90 I believe.

 

[Go West Old Man]

Roger that, so taking I29 to 90 then. In that case, go with the Council Bluffs suggestion and hit The Porch for supper.

Omaha airport area is not good.

Thanks, especially because one hotel consideration by hotel rating as of now is was Best Western Plus near airport/Carter Lake area. Don’t want to end up in the ‘hood!

 

[Go West Old Man]

Agree with this as well. It's not extreme traffic, especially if you're from GA and regualarly suffer Atlanta traffic, but it can be a pain in the butt for sure unless you plan to hit the road early.

Yes, we are experienced & frequent sufferers of Atlanta traffic. Peach Pass, my azz.

 

[Go West Old Man]

……. and its a good spot, seemed less likely to get your car broken into especially compared to the airport/Creighton area.

Yes, ^^^^ this is good info!

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Thanks. Western Omaha…., like as in where? We’ll be continuing our drive early next morning via I-29 to I-90 I believe.

You don't want to stay all the way out there if taking I29 north. It literally runs north out of Council Bluffs. You'd be backtacking east back into the city if you stay out there. You could take 480 north instead of 80 all the way back to I29, but still fairly significant backtracking.

 

[Go West Old Man]

You don't want to stay all the way out there if taking I29 north. It literally runs north out of Council Bluffs. You'd be backtacking east back into the city if you stay out there. You could take 480 north instead of 80 all the way back to I29, but still fairly significant backtracking.

Makes sense. I’m sure there are plenty of decent hotels along I-29 , & we can go check out The Porch too.

 

[Go West Old Man]

How’s the detour drive around the I-29 /I-480 junction closures? Time killer or reasonable ?

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Makes sense. I’m sure there are plenty of decent hotels along I-29 , & we can go check out The Porch too.

For appetizers the pickel fries and cheese balls are fantastic.

For entrees/sandwiches the patty melt, BBQ burger, pulled pork mac and cheese, and my favorite, the chicken parm sandwich are awesome.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

How’s the detour drive around the I-29 /I-480 junction closures? Time killer or reasonable ?

Reasonable and this isn't a very big area, so not a big deal or time sink.

 

[Bearded Bowhunter]

How’s the detour drive around the I-29 /I-480 junction closures? Time killer or reasonable ?

Google maps wont tell you this, but you can actually take the exit right south of the closure and take the frontage road right alongside I29 for a mile and get right back onto I29 north.