Stay Another Day in Northern Kentucky
Discover Friendly Southern Charm with a Quirky Twist
Sponsored by MeetNKY
Where North Meets South — And You Get Both
Northern Kentucky is a walkable, riverfront destination with a rich history-filled heritage, unique historic architecture, and easy access to Cincinnati. It’s a Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, named one of America’s best small cities for food and drink, packed with world-class street art, year-round festivals, major league sports energy, and a quirky Southern charm you won’t forget.
A two-for-one destination:
• NKY + Cincinnati: Take an easy and picturesque walk across the iconic Roebling Suspension Bridge and you’re in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Southern charm, beer/bourbon culture + a variety of big-city Cincinnati attractions located in one destination.
• Cozy local restaurants + group dining options.
• High-energy sports + family friendly attractions for extend-your-stay experiences.
BB Riverboats
Started in 1979, BB Riverboats is an ideal way to see the Cincy Region from a new perspective while enjoying delicious food, lively entertainment, or relaxing sightseeing. Daily cruises include historic sightseeing, lunch or dinner cruises, brunch, or Sunday dinner family cruises.
Newport Aquarium
Meet rare white alligators, be surrounded by sharks, and see eye-to-eye with stingrays. Voted one of the best aquariums in the country time and time again, Newport Aquarium is a can’t-miss attraction for families and animal lovers.
Located across the river from Cincy in Newport, Kentucky, the aquarium is home to thousands of animals in a million gallons of water. It’s easy to spend a full day here: Walk through the coral reef tunnel, marvel at the freshwater creatures that live in the Amazon Tunnel, and walk across Shark Bridge—a 75-foot suspended rope bridge that dangles just inches above a tank filled with sharks, rays, and fish.
Newport on the Levee
The Levee is home to a collection of unique-to-Newport retailers and restaurants, national experience-driven brands, Class A office suites, a 20-screen AMC Theatre, the Newport Aquarium, and over 200,000 square feet of community gathering space. Boasting plentiful skyline views, direct access to the Purple People Bridge and Riverfront Commons trail, and close proximity to popular attractions like the Great American Ball Park, the Levee is the perfect backdrop for making photo-worthy memories.
Tours and Immersive Experiences
The B-Line® is a self-guided experience centered around the cream-of-the-crop in bourbon-centric restaurants, bars with at least 100 bourbon varieties on hand, and bourbon distilleries, all of which are part of Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.
Take in the sights, sounds, and history of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and the Ohio River Valley on one of several tour options. Get your steps in and enjoy Cincy’s beautiful architecture with walking tours. Sip your way through Cincy’s rich bourbon and beer heritage and even tour your way around town on a Segway or pedal along the riverfront. You might even be tempted to cruise the Ohio River on a riverboat tour.
Cincitucky Trails – Cincitucky Trails offers more than 100 miles of connected hiking and biking routes across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, creating one of the most extensive urban trail systems in the Midwest. The trail network is completely free to access, making it a scenic, affordable way to experience the region.
Museums
A visit to Cincy is a must for the curious and creative. We have a multitude of museums devoted to art, history, and quirky collections housed in groundbreaking contemporary buildings, historic homes, and National Historic Landmarks.
Sports
Cincy is home to the Cincinnati Reds—the nation’s first professional baseball team—the Cincinnati Bengals, FC Cincinnati, the Florence Y’alls and the Cincinnati Cyclones. You can try your luck at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. the region’s premier horse racing facility led by Churchill Downs.
Art-Filled Experiences
Art is everywhere you turn in Cincy. Unearth hidden gems and unique experiences around every corner, from iconic Art Deco landmarks and the largest preserved Italianate architecture district in the country, to renowned art museums, public murals, and BLINK, America’s largest light and art festival.
Top Reasons to Visit Northern Kentucky:
Walkable & Easy to Explore: You can walk between Covington, Newport, and downtown Cincinnati — just stroll over the Roebling Suspension Bridge and enjoy the view. Everything’s close — bars, restaurants, art, and riverfront parks.
Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®: Home to 9 Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries and the local passport-guided bourbon tour, The B-Line.
Food & Drink Capital: Don’t miss local German dishes like goetta or a stop at historic Hofbräuhaus. Ever tried Cincinnati-style chili? It’s served over spaghetti and topped with a mound of cheddar cheese.
History & Architecture: Rich brewing and bourbon history and unique historic neighborhoods with 19th-century architecture.
Big-League Sports Energy: Home to Reds, Bengals, FC Cincinnati — plus tailgating and lively watch parties. Also local minor league options like the Florence Y’alls or Cincinnati Cyclones hockey.
Festivals & Events All Year: From BLINK — the biggest light and art festival in the U.S. — to Oktoberfest, Goettafest, and Maifest, there’s always something going on. Even small neighborhood festivals are worth checking out, with live music, food trucks, and a whole lot of local personality.
Unlock your best meeting yet in Northern Kentucky.
