Major city · United States
Audubon
A 20-minute stop for Albert the Bull, not a base: skip unless you need a bed between Council Bluffs and Storm Lake.
Audubon is a small Iowa town known for one thing: Albert the Bull, a 30-ton concrete statue that claims to be the world's largest bull. The town itself has a handful of services and one B&B. Most travellers pass through on Highway 71 and stop for a photo. A night here only makes sense if you are driving the route and want a cheap, quiet sleep.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, icy roads)
- Airport
- AUD
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Audubon911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Audubon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAUD Audubon County Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled flights.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner (basic diner meal)$10–15
- Budget bedTaylor Hill Lodge (double room), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedTaylor Hill Lodge (double room), a night, per roomUS$80
- High-end bedTaylor Hill Lodge (double room), a night, per roomUS$90
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$100 · High US$150
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AUD Audubon County Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Audubon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
5 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is walkable for the statue, but the B&B is 5 miles north on Highway 71.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Atlantic, Iowa
goDoor to door: 20 min
Drive south on US 71, about 20 min
Larger town with more dining and a historic downtown.
Door to door: 1 h
Drive south on US 71, about 1 h
Casinos, the Union Pacific Museum and the Missouri riverfront.
Missouri Valley
goDoor to door: 45 min
Drive south on US 71, about 45 min
Small town with the Harrison County Historical Museum.
Villisca
cautionDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
Drive east on IA 44 then south, about 1 h 15 min
The Villisca Ax Murder House is a niche attraction; check opening times.
Clarinda
goDoor to door: 1 h 30 min
Drive south on US 71 then east, about 1 h 30 min
Glenn Miller birthplace and a small museum.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Highway 71 corridor
The only accommodation is Taylor Hill Lodge, about 5 miles north of town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–100 incl. bed
- Mid
- $100–150 incl. bed
- High
- $150+ incl. bed
Trip budget
| Taylor Hill Lodge (double room)1 × 1 night × US$80 | US$80 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Gas from Council Bluffs to Audubon and back1 × US$15 · About 60 miles round trip at 25 mpg. | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$30 |
| Trip total≈ US$163 per person per day, bed included | US$325 |
check
2026 estimate in USD. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Gas (per gallon)2026 estimate. | $3.00–3.50 |
| Dinner (basic diner meal) | $10–15 |
| Coffee | $2–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No restaurants open late; plan to eat before 20:00.No restaurants open late; plan to eat before 8:00 PM.
- Gas stations are limited; fill up in Council Bluffs or Atlantic.
- Albert the Bull is on the highway shoulder — no dedicated parking, just a pull-off.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AudubonAudubon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Council Bluffs → Audubon (US 71): About 1 h, 50 miles
- Atlantic → Audubon (US 71): About 20 min, 15 miles
No public transport; you need a car.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Audubon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, icy roads) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add verified opening hours for Taylor Hill Lodge.
- Add a restaurant page if a sit-down dinner option opens in town.
- Field-check the Albert the Bull pull-off condition.
Sources
Ask about Audubon
Loading…
Was this useful?