The Bob: Omaha's Bridge Where You Can Stand in Two States at Once

Here is a simple, delightful thing you can do in Omaha that you cannot do in very many places on earth: stand with one foot in Nebraska and the other in Iowa at the exact same time. The spot is the middle of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, a graceful white ribbon of a bridge that arcs across the Missouri River, and it has quickly become one of the most beloved and photographed places in the whole city.

The bridge, affectionately nicknamed the Bob by locals, opened in 2008 as a bold piece of the city's long effort to reconnect with its riverfront. Stretching across the wide Missouri, it links Omaha, Nebraska on one bank with Council Bluffs, Iowa on the other, joining the two riverside communities with a beautiful pathway just for people on foot and on bikes. It is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the country to connect two states, and crossing it is a small adventure in itself.

The design is genuinely striking. Tall pylons rise from the bridge and fan out a web of cables that hold the curving deck aloft, giving the whole structure the look of a sail catching the wind. As you walk out over the water, the city skyline spreads out behind you, the river slides by beneath, and the green banks stretch away on either side. At sunrise or sunset, with the light glinting off the water and the cables, it is one of the most beautiful views in Omaha, and a favorite of photographers.

But the bridge's most famous feature is also its most playful. Right at the midpoint, a marker shows the state line, the invisible boundary between Nebraska and Iowa, running straight across the deck. Families line up to take the classic photo, one foot planted firmly in each state, grinning at the simple joy of being in two places at once. Kids love it, and so do the grown-ups pretending they are too cool to love it.

The Bob is more than a novelty, though. It anchors a growing network of riverside trails on both sides of the river, making it a favorite of walkers, runners, and cyclists. It connects directly to the parks and paths of Omaha's revitalized riverfront, so a stroll across the bridge can easily become an afternoon of exploring. And because it is free and open to everyone, it has become a true gathering place, a spot for first dates, family outings, morning jogs, and quiet evening walks with the city glowing in the distance.

There is something wonderfully fitting about the Bob. Omaha was born on this river, grew up alongside it, and for years had turned its back on it. A graceful pedestrian bridge that invites people to walk right out over the water, to slow down and take in the view and stand happily between two states, is a perfect symbol of a city that has rediscovered the river at its heart.

So when you visit Omaha, do not miss the chance to walk the Bob. Bring the family, snap the two-states photo, soak in the skyline, and feel the breeze off the Missouri. Before you plan your trip, see everything happening around the city on our Explore Omaha event calendar, and start planning a visit to one of Omaha's most fun and photogenic landmarks.