House in Council Bluffs, IA
Reasons to book
About this house rental
Welcome to The Crossing at Lake Manawa—a one-of-a-kind lakefront retreat just minutes from Omaha. Completely renovated in 2026, this historic 1918 home combines modern comfort with laid-back lake life. Enjoy your own private dock with excellent fishing right in your backyard, hot tub, kayaks & paddleboards, incredible lake views and a huge game room with pool, shuffleboard, darts, 75" TV, karaoke & more. With 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and spaces designed for gathering, it's the perfect escape for families and friends.
The Space:
Tucked directly along the shores of Lake Manawa in Council Bluffs, this completely renovated 1918 lake house was designed for one thing: bringing people together. Spend mornings sipping coffee overlooking the water, afternoons kayaking or paddleboarding from the dock, evenings soaking in the hot tub, and late nights battling it out over pool, shuffleboard or karaoke in the game room. Fish anytime right off the dock and when you're ready to explore, you're just minutes from Omaha, the Old Market, incredible restaurants, attractions, trails and more.
THE HOME
3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, with beautiful lake views throughout the home (and in EVERY bedroom). The main living space is bright and open with soaring ceilings, comfortable gathering spaces and large windows overlooking Lake Manawa. The home is designed to fit 8 adults comfortably or up to 12 with children as we have 2 king beds and 4 full size beds (2 bunk beds). The fully equipped kitchen includes everything you need for easy meals at home, including cookware, dishes, basic cooking essentials, coffee maker, toaster, blender, air fryer, Crock-Pot and more. The home has 3 refrigerators, 2 microwaves, multiple seating options, and both indoor and outdoor dining tables fitting 8 each.
Lower Bedroom: King bed • Lake views • Room-darkening shades • Smart TV • Full-length mirror • Vanity/makeup area • Extra pillows & blankets
Upper Bedroom: King bed • Lake views • Room-darkening shades • Wardrobe • Extra pillows & blankets
Upper Bunk Room: 4 full-size beds • Lake views • Smart TV • Nintendo • Gaming chairs
THE GAME ROOM: Rainy days, winter escapes, girls or boys night, football gatherings, bunco nights, small group celebrations, family staycations.... No problem. Our oversized game room was designed to be just as much fun as the lake [Note you must climb multiple stairs as it sits above the 2 car garage]
• Pool table
• Shuffleboard table
• Darts
• Poker
• Karaoke
• 75" Smart TV
• Games & puzzles
• Kids' toys & activities
• Bar area with beverage fridge
*The original pool and shuffleboard tables have been part of the house for decades, giving the space a little piece of The Crossing's history*
LAKEFRONT LIVING: Step outside and Lake Manawa is quite literally your backyard. During lake season, guests can enjoy our private dock and lower fishing pier along with complimentary recreational equipment including:
• Kayaks (2 adult, 2 junior, 1 kids)
• Paddleboards (2 10ft paddleboards)
• Life jackets (Mix of Adult and Youth)
• Fishing poles & supplies
• Floats/water toys (including oversized lily pad swimming mat)
• Boatlift (available for extra fee/deposit, inquire if you'd like to use during your stay)
Bring your fishing gear or use ours, launch a kayak for a peaceful morning paddle, or simply grab a drink and watch the sunset from the patio. Please note: The dock and certain lake amenities are seasonal and are typically available approximately April–September, weather and lake conditions permitting.
OUTDOOR LIVING: You may have a hard time going inside. Our lakefront outdoor spaces include:
• Private hot tub
• Lakefront patio
• Outdoor dining for 8
• Propane fire table
• BBQ grill
• Hammock swing
• Cornhole (Don't worry locals, we have Huskers AND Hawkeyes bags to choose from)
• Private dock & fishing pier
• Outdoor rinse-off shower during summer months
• Bicycles
End the day around the fire table, soak in the hot tub under the stars or settle in with a glass of wine and watch the sun go down over the lake.
PERFECT FOR FAMILIES: Traveling with kids is hard enough—we've tried to make packing a little easier. Families will find a Pack 'n Play, high chair, kid-friendly dishes, games, puzzles, coloring supplies, toys, and youth life jackets. The bunk room is especially fun for kids, with four full-size beds, a Nintendo, TV and gaming chairs. Please note: While we love hosting families, the home is not baby-proofed and is located directly on the water. Children must be closely supervised around the lake, dock, hot tub and outdoor areas.
One garage/storage area is reserved for owner use and is not accessible to guests. The attic and underground emergency shelter are also restricted areas, except for emergency shelter use when necessary.
You'll receive a personalized smart-lock code before arrival for easy self check-in.
Guest Access:
Guests have access to the entire main home, game room, lakefront patio, hot tub, dock and guest recreational amenities.
The Neighborhood:
Located in a quiet residential area, 15 minutes to downtown Omaha, famous Henry Doorly Zoo and minutes from restaurants, shopping. Lake Manawa is a state park and has a wonderful trail system you can walk or bike to directly from the house. Also easy bike ride to the famous Wabash Trace Trail.
Getting Around:
Recommend a car
Other Things to Note:
Someone will be onsite Monday evenings to service the hot tub and mow the grass in the back. They will enter through the side gate and will not be in the house.
Do note the jet skis are NOT included during your stay. We do have a boat lift that can be rented separately, please inquire directly for pricing for the lift.
Interaction with Guests:
Self check-in and check-out. I am available virtually to help answer any questions, solve any issues or concerns and can also help with local recommendations - whatever you need to make your stay a great one!
