Traveler Overview

Excellent51%
Very good31%
Average14%
Poor3%
Terrible1%

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What travelers are saying

Ask about the history and the last person who was imprisoned in the solitary confinement area - he is still alive and serving time in the penitentiary.

Very Interesting Piece of History

It had an excellent self guided tour plus there were employees that were available to answer questions and give more information.

Contact

226 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0825

Website

+1 712-323-2509

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Reviews (119)

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1 - 10 of 119 reviews

121marcf

Lincoln, Nebraska

5327

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Fascinating part of history

As someone who works in Corrections this was truly fascinating as I throughly enjoyed the historic elements of this jail. It was also interesting in terms of engineering and architecture of how it was designed and how it’s still in relative good shape for its...More

Date of experience: July 2019

Thank 121marcf

Hardtkea

De Pere, Wisconsin

5726

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Interesting historical building

Went here with the family with two teenagers. Very interesting building! Amazing that it is still around. We were able to explore the building that we found interesting and little scary when look at the size of the cells.

Date of experience: July 2019

1 Thank Hardtkea

ALG1603

7831

Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Loved it more than I hoped to

So cooooool! Admission is a steal - $7 for adult, $5 for 12 and under. You get an info packet to take with you on the tour to read about the various areas - make sure you get one because it's great and explains the...More

Date of experience: June 2019

1 Thank ALG1603

Sandy O

Sauk City, Wisconsin, United States

28399

Reviewed May 13, 2019

One of only 3 remaining

The Squirrel Cage Jail is different than any I have ever been to. It's unique construction that spins cage to allow only one cell to be opened at a time makes it unusual. Although it is not currently working, you can see the gears that...More

Date of experience: March 2019

2 Thank Sandy O

Marsha R

Oregon, WI

6923

Reviewed April 1, 2019

Very Interesting Piece of History

Visiting from out of state and this is one place we hadn’t been before. What an eye opener, from the concept of the jail to the very interesting ledger of prisoners and the reasons jailed. Be sure and pick up the laminated sheets describing each...More

Date of experience: March 2019

1 Thank Marsha R

Escape19070142944

122

Reviewed November 1, 2018 via mobile

Very interesting

We went on the Halloween tour at this jail. We had a great tour guide he even told if some of his experiences in the jail. It's well worth the money to see how these prisoners lived and it's amazing how the cells actually rotated....More

Date of experience: October 2018

1 Thank Escape19070142944

426JudyS

Pulaski, Tennessee

386136

Reviewed October 16, 2018

Very Interesting

This was a fabulous museum. It had an excellent self guided tour plus there were employees that were available to answer questions and give more information. This is such a treasure to see and experience

Date of experience: October 2018

1 Thank 426JudyS

Ocalakid55

Ocala, Florida

8032

Reviewed August 7, 2018

Some things never change

This stately old mansion is located in the heart of Old Council Bluffs that has completely changed since I was last here 45 years ago but worth Stopping and taking a tour .......

Date of experience: July 2018

2 Thank Ocalakid55

billhordy

Kansas City, Missouri

11226

Reviewed August 4, 2018 via mobile

after U P museum

amazing stop by. I never saw a jail like that it was so cool. glad I stop by after the visit to the union pacific museum which is next door. friendly staff. $6 admission. going to come back for over night ghosts hunt should be...More

Date of experience: August 2018

1 Thank billhordy

gabi_kansas

Shawnee, Kansas

637243

Reviewed July 21, 2018

What a great surprise!

We love jails and history, so this was a win for us. The "squirrel cage" design is so unique and the four story type you won't find anywhere else. The cost for a tour is $7 ($6 for AAA members) and really worth it. It...More

Date of experience: July 2018

4 Thank gabi_kansas

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Questions & Answers

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See all 4 questions

Sandy O

How much time should we allow for our self guided tour?

March 5, 2019|

Answer

An hour should be sufficient. If you don’t read everything, it could be less.

troundtree

Do the cells of the jail still have the ability to rotate?

November 7, 2016|

AnswerShow all 3 answers

No, not any more

Pat O

what are the days and hours of operation?

August 17, 2016|

AnswerShow all 2 answers

From their website Squirrel Cage" Rotary Cell Jail Museum 226 Pearl Street Council Bluffs, Iowa Hours: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 11-4 No appointment necessary. For groups larger than 15 phone/e-mail in... More