7 Unexpected Things To Do At The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge In Omaha

As one of Omaha’s most popular attractions, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge offers visitors more than just a place to enjoy a walk or bicycle ride. From a troll guarding its entrance to photo opportunities, “Bob,” as locals call it, offers family fun with a splash park and summer concerts. As the country’s longest pedestrian bridge that connects two states (Nebraska and Iowa), the Bob Kerrey offers several fun opportunities on both sides of the river.

The Kerrey bridge’s design reflects the current of the Missouri River. As you walk, jog or bicycle across the bridge, take the time to stop and read the information placards that cover the river’s history, and its role in the area’s development.

UPDATED: This post was first published in 2020 and has been updated in August 2026.

1. Meet OMAR the Troll

OMAR, a blue troll, sits at the foot of the Kerrey bridge on the Omaha side, standing guard against all who seek to cross. Will he ask you three questions in order to cross? Or, is he looking for the Billy Goats Gruff?

Actually, he’s there to pose for photos with anyone wanting one with a 300-pound blue guy (who’s not a Smurf). Added to the Missouri River bridge in 2019, OMAR (Omaha Missouri Area River) quickly became a fan favorite. He even has his own book, “OMAR finds a home,” which can be found at local book stores, such as The Bookworm.

2. Complete the .9k marathon

Run, bicycle, or walk the world’s shortest marathon at .9 kilometer, which is the distance from one end of the bridge to the other. Take a selfie on the bridge then stop by the Omaha visitors center and show it to the staff for a bumper sticker highlighting your achievement.

Fun tip: To complete a true marathon, you’d need to cross the bridge 47 times, according to Visit Omaha.

3. Go ‘Bobbing’

Since the Kerrey bridge connects Nebraska and Iowa over the Missouri River, the act of standing midway across the bridge with one foot in Nebraska and the other in Iowa is known as “Bobbing.” It may be the most popular spot in the United States for photos of feet.

4. Cool off at the sprayground

During the summer months (Memorial Day-Labor Day), a section of the riverfront near the foot of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge gives families and children an opportunity to jump around in the water spraying from the ground in a circular play area. Parents and others can watch from a stepped seating area. UPDATE: The water sprayground recently got an upgrade and now there are lights that turn from 7 to 11 p.m., lighting up the busts of water.

Side note: There is an awesome playground just to the south of the base of the bridge that’s part of the Discovery Playground. It’s maybe a 10-minute walk for families. It’s worth noting but I’m not counting it as part of area immediately surrounding the bridge.

5. Rent a bike and ride across The Bob

With a bike rack near the Bob Kerrey bridge, you can rent a single-rider bicycle from Heartland B-Cycle and enjoy a ride across the bridge and then travel along the riverfront trails on ether side of the Missouri River.

It’s a great way to exercise and have fun exploring the area. You can even ride the bicycle to explore other Omaha sites, but you’ll need to return it to one of the Heartland B-Cycle stands located around the city.

6. Learn about the area’s history

You can learn about Native American history of the Missouri River and Omaha, which is the homeland of the U-mo’n-Ho’n (Omaha tribe) – also known as the “Upriver People” – at the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center at the National Park Service Midwest office.

Located a short walk from the Kerrey bridge, the visitors center also features exhibits and information about the Lewis and Clark expedition, as well as the flags of the Native American tribes along the Missouri River to the Columbia River at the confluence with the Pacific Ocean, where the expedition ended.

7. Explore the Bluffs’ side

In recent years, the Council Bluffs side of the river has changed dramatically…for the better. The large green space is called Tom Hanafan’s River’s Edge Park. Head over to the giant sculpture where you’ll find one of the most adorable playgrounds in the Metro area, Belles’ Play Garden, plus a little sprayground. A more recent addition to the park is a pier, which opened in late summer 2026.

There’s an adventure tower under construction, as well, though its opening continues to be delayed (it’s said to open in the summer of 2026). Once it opens, there will be an observation deck overlooking the river and, more excitingly, an outdoor adventure course that includes a climbing wall.

Tip: The Council Bluffs side also has a pavilion with public restrooms.

With a water splash area, free concerts and more, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge offers people more than just a place to enjoy a walk or run. Connecting two states, the bridge is a beautiful spot to connect with family and friends.

Exploring downtown Omaha

Make a day of your visit to downtown Omaha! There are a lot of free things to do in the nearby historic neighborhood, the Old Market, plus a ton of great restaurants.