Meet Bob in Omaha (Did I Mention Bob is a Bridge?)

Visiting Omaha? Be sure to make time to walk across the Bob Kerrey Bridge – a dramatically beautiful pedestrian bridge spanning the Missouri River. It’s a delightful experience!

 

Somehow, I had overlooked this little gem as I researched what to do while visiting Omaha. My husband found something about it the night before our stop in Omaha. We instantly rearranged our plans so that we could squeeze in a stop at this amazing pedestrian bridge… and I am so glad we did!

Our Bob Kerrey Bridge Experience

We stopped over to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in the late afternoon (just before dinner). Being unfamiliar with the area, it took us a few minutes to figure out where to park. But we were delighted to find free parking in the area. (Isn’t it funny how little things like finding free parking can bring us so much joy?)

As we approached the bridge on foot, our family was immediately impressed with the sight of this bridge. It is a very impressive sight to behold. We were taken with its size, its unique curvature created by the arcs of its pedestrian path and the geometric shapes created by the suspension cables when viewed from various angles. Magnificent!

Our kids were thrilled to find a small waterplay area on the Nebraska side of the bridge. They begged to play in it but, as we were on our way to dinner next, we resisted their pleas. (Soggy kids and restaurants are not a good combination.) So we watched other kids play for a bit and then made our way on to the bridge.

Walking along the bridge is a lot of fun. Even the kids thought so. We enjoyed reading a sign of fun facts towards the start of the bridge. Additionally, the sign encourages you to follow “Bob the Bridge” on Instagram and Twitter as well as share about your fun Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge experiences on social media using the #ItHappensOnBob hashtag. We all thought it was funny that the bridge has its own social media accounts.

As we walked across the bridge, we all marveled at the beautiful views and the beauty of the bridge itself. Additionally, the river is impressive. Midway, there is a line marked across the bridge path; it shows the borderline between the two states. Our entire family took turns posing for pictures with a foot on each side of the boundary marker. The kids thought it was amazing that we were in two states – Nebraska and Iowa – at the same time.

We eventually turned around to return to the Omaha side. Afterall, it was dinnertime, and we were hungry. However, our visit to see Bob the Bridge was definitely worth delaying our meal for a little while.

Since our visit in 2019, a troll named Omar has come to live under the bridge. My kids would have really enjoyed seeing the sculpture of this big blue troll located under the bridge on the Omaha side.

 

Meet Bob the Bridge

Locals lovingly refer to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge as Bob the Bridge or, simply, just Bob.

Bob is a beautiful suspension bridge spanning the Missouri River. Meant for pedestrian use only, it allows walkers and bicyclists to admire beautiful river views while crossing between Nebraska and Iowa. The borderline between the states is clearly marked on the pedestrian path.

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is open 24 hours a day. There is no cost to cross this bridge, and it is located at 705 Riverfront Drive in Omaha, Nebraska. You can also access the bridge from the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park located at 4200 Avenue B in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

This large suspension bridge is 3000 feet (.9 kilometers) in length. One side of the bridge resides within Omaha, Nebraska; the other side resides in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Straddling the state line while standing on this bridge is called Bobbing.

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge opened in 2008. The idea for this impressive pedestrian bridge was first brought up in 1997 as part of the area’s “Back to the River” efforts, grants were obtained in 2000, and construction began in 2006.

Bob the Bridge has his own Twitter  and Instagram handles. Feel free to tweet at him (@BobTBridge) about your fantastic Bob Kerrey Bridge experiences. He often tweets responses back. Don’t forget to use the hashtag of #ItHappensOnBob on your social media posts.

The bridge has a mascot named Omar. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that Omar is a troll that lives under the bridge. Look for him under the bridge on the Omaha side of the river!

You can learn even more about the bridge’s history from the Iowa Department of Transportation website.

 

Enjoy your Visit to Bob the Bridge in Omaha!

Our family highly recommends visiting Bob the Bridge the next time you pass through Omaha, Nebraska. Scenic, affordable and fun – it may just end up being one of your family’s favorite stops!

Have you been to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in Omaha?

Would you stop for a picture with the state borderline marked on the bridge?

What other beautiful pedestrian bridges would you recommend our family visit?

 

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