Visiting Northern Kentucky? The fun town of Newport is located in Northern Kentucky along the Ohio River across from Cincinnati.
Although Newport is smaller than Cincinnati, the town is filled with an abundance of quality entertainment & dining options. While I thoroughly enjoy Cincinnati, this guide remains solely in Northern Kentucky as the Kentucky side of town has so much to offer!
I have lived in Northern Kentucky for the past few years and consistently find new restaurants, bars, and activities to fill my weekends with.
This guide is centered around Newport KY, but does include spots in the neighboring town of Covington KY. Check out the map for where we will be visiting for our one weekend in Newport Kentucky!
Table of Contents
Where is Newport Kentucky?
Newport Kentucky is located along the Ohio River south of Cincinnati Ohio. Newport is located in Northern Kentucky. Newport is situated between the towns of Covington and Bellevue KY.
When to Visit Newport Kentucky
Newport is a great destination year round! In the summer, you can enjoy warm weather, long daylight hours, and plenty of outdoor activities. Temperatures average between 61-86 degrees in the summer.
The summer and fall offer milder temperatures if you want to avoid the summer heat. However, spring and fall weather can be unpredictable. One day might be 70 and sunny, then the next is 50 and rainy.
Winter is cold and can sometimes be snowy. Some activities included in this itinerary will not be an option in the winter. However, those ideas could easily be swapped for seasonal winter activities, like eating in an Igloo at a local restaurant or viewing Christmas lights at Newport on the Levee.
Getting to Newport Kentucky
If you are arriving by plane, you will fly into the Cincinnati/Northern KY International Airport (CVG). The airport is located in Hebron KY and is approximately a 20 minute drive from Newport.
If arriving by car, Newport is conveniently located off of 471 and is also only a few miles from I-71.
Getting Around in Newport Kentucky
Most of the spots included on this weekend itinerary are walkable. My husband and I frequently walk between these locations and would prefer to walk over driving.
If the weather is less than ideal or you’d prefer not to walk, using your own car or taking an Uber/Lyft are also good options.
The SouthBank Shuttle is a very affordable transportation option. The Shuttle runs between Bellevue, Newport, Cincinnati, and Covington. The Shuttle would be a convenient option for almost all stops along this guide.
Where to Stay near Newport Kentucky
Northern Kentucky has a variety of high quality hotel options at various price ranges. Here are some of my favorite hotels in the area that are in excellent locations, especially for walking to restaurants and attractions.
Hotel Covington
Hotel Covington is a boutique hotel located in Covington KY. While this hotel is not directly in Newport, it is my favorite hotel in the Northern Kentucky area and is walkable or a short car ride from all of the attractions.
Hotel Covington used to be a department store which has now been remodeled into a boutique hotel. Each room is beautifully decorated and the hotel provides excellent service. No two rooms are the exact same which also adds charm to the hotel!
The hotel has two sides – “Hotel Covington” and “The North.” The original side of the hotel mainly contains standard hotel rooms, while The North is a newer addition specializing in suites.
Cincinnati Marriott at River Center
Cincinnati Marriott at River Center is also located in Covington KY. The hotel is located along the Ohio River, so some rooms have city and river views!
This hotel is also a short walk or car ride to everything in this guide. My family has stayed at this hotel on multiple occasions and have had a great experience every time.
Hampton Inn & Suites Newport/Cincinnati
Hampton Inn & Suites Newport/Cincinnati is located in Newport along the Ohio River. This hotel is located right next to the Newport Levee, so it is in an ideal location for accessing all attractions.
Airbnb Options
Northern Kentucky also has a large variety of Airbnb options. If you prefer an Airbnb, I would recommend booking in either Newport, Covington, or Bellevue KY so you can still be close to all the action.
Below are a few Airbnb listings that appear promising:
- Luxury King Bed Suite! Resort Pool – Free Parking
- “The Cove” on Monmouth!
- Beautiful, Walkable, Rooftop, and Lovely Views!
Weekend in Newport Kentucky: Friday Itinerary
Day #1 assumes you will be arriving in the evening around dinner time. All below locations are walkable if you do not have a car. I have included a map of the walking route between each stop for day #1.
Dinner at Smoke Justis
After arriving into town, head to Smoke Justis for dinner and drinks. They specialize in smoked meats and bourbon. Even though meat is their specialty, I am always able to find great vegetarian options!
My husband and I frequently take guests to Smoke Justis since the atmosphere is relaxed yet elegant and the food is absolutely delicious!
For meat eaters, our favorite food options include the wings, mac and meat bowl, and the smoked meat plate. For veggie options, I love the southwest veggie flatbread, cauliflower wings, and quesadilla.
BB Riverboat Sunset Cruise
After dinner, head to BB Riverboats to enjoy a sunset cruise and to take in stunning city views. I have cruised with BB Riverboats once and the experience was fantastic! The live music was great and the views were beautiful.
My family went on the Music and Sunset Sightseeing Cruise which was really enjoyable. The cruise lasts 2 hours and returns as the sun is setting.
I would not recommend the dinner cruise as the dining room had limited views and the food did not look like anything special. Instead, get dinner before and enjoy an evening of music and city views. There are also drinks available on board for purchase.
Approximately the first 1.5 hours of the cruise is a slow cruise going East. For the last 30 minutes of the cruise, the boat will turn around and head back much quicker. The cruise ends around sunset, so you will see beautiful views of the Cincinnati Skyline while the sun sets.
Drinks at Braxton Brewery Rooftop
After the sunset cruise, make your way over to Braxton Brewery to enjoy a craft beer or seltzer. Braxton is a local brewery which serves a variety of their own craft beer and seltzers. They also offer a cocktail menu for anyone who is not a beer drinker.
Braxton has a few locations in the area, but you will want to head to their Covington KY location. This is the closest from the river cruise and is the only location with a rooftop bar.
Braxton has a large indoor space, but the 3rd floor rooftop bar is really what steals the show! The rooftop has views of the Cincinnati skyline and there is often live music or a DJ on weekends!
Weekend in Newport Kentucky: Saturday Itinerary
Depending on how ambitious you are, day #2 can also be walked. However, you may want to drive or take an Uber to dinner to give your legs a break! Below is a map of day #2’s walking path.
Breakfast at Press on Monmouth
Start your second day by fueling up at Press on Monmouth. This is a quick service breakfast restaurant where you order at a counter and the food is delivered to your table. This is the perfect spot for a quick and delicious breakfast.
Everything on their menu is tasty, but my favorite is their breakfast bowls served over tater tots.
Newport Aquarium
After breakfast, walk over to the Newport Aquarium to view sharks, sting rays, penguins, and other aquatic animals! The Newport Aquarium is highly rated making it a great stop for families or just adults.
A visit to the Aquarium can take anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on how many exhibits you would like to see and the length of time spent at each exhibit. The aquarium is home to thousands of animals in a million gallons of water.
One main highlight of the aquarium is the Shark Bridge–a 75-foot suspended rope bridge that dangles just inches above a tank filled with sharks, rays, and fish!
Tickets must be purchased in advance, which can be done so here. You will be required to select a visit date along with an entrance time.
The aquarium is located in Newport on the Levee which is an indoor & outdoor entertainment center including restaurants, shopping, and other entertainment options.
Lunch at Amador Cuban Restaurant
Amador Cuban Restaurant is also located in Newport on the Levee, making it a very convenient lunch stop after exploring the aquarium.
Amador has a very upscale indoor dining room and an outdoor patio with stunning views of the Cincinnati skyline and Ohio River.
Their menu has a variety of Cuban dishes including small plates, sandwiches, tacos, and more. They also serve an elevated cocktail list including mojitos, margaritas, and paloma’s – perfect for hot summer days!
Purple People Bridge
Now that you have filled up from lunch, take a stroll along the Purple People Bridge – a pedestrian only bridge spanning 0.5 miles across the Ohio River to connect Newport KY and Cincinnati OH.
The bridge is the longest pedestrian connector bridge in the country, and has linked both Kentucky and Ohio together since 1872. While the bridge’s color has faded and appears more blue, it is still known as the Purple People Bridge!
Walking across the bridge is a fun experience to walk from state to state. The bridge is also famous for it’s spectacular views of Cincinnati!
New Riff Distilling Tour
It is hard to spend a weekend in Kentucky without including a bourbon tasting on the itinerary! Our next stop will be a bourbon tasting and distillery tour at New Riff Distilling.
New Riff Distilling is the most northern stop along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Their bonded tour lasts approximately 45-60 minutes and includes a tour of the distillery, a guided tasting, and a $10 off token to be used in the gift shop. The tour explores fermentation, distillation, and barreling of their bourbon.
I have toured the distillery once and thoroughly enjoyed our experience, even though I do not really enjoy the taste of bourbon. Don’t be scared away if you are not a bourbon drinker! Our guide provided interesting information regarding the distilling process which is fun to learn about whether you drink bourbon or not!
You will need to book a tour reservation in advance which can be done here. I recommend booking a tour as far in advance as possible. The distillery is busy and typically books up weeks to months in advance.
Dinner at Mama’s on Main
Day #2’s dinner stop is my favorite restaurant in Northern Kentucky. Mama’s on Main is a sophisticated and elegant Italian restaurant. Their menu is small, but very thoughtfully curated.
I highly recommend their homemade pasta – especially the spaghetti al limone and ricotta gnocchi. My husband loves their chicken parmesan. I also recommend starting with the bread service. The focaccia is served warmed and the whipped ricotta spread for dipping is absolutely delicious.
Mama’s on Main is a small restaurant and is very popular, so you will need to book a reservation in advance.
Drinks at Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar
Our final stop for day #2 will be another bourbon spot! Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar (OKBB) is a short walk from Mama’s on Main, making it a perfect stop for after dinner drinks.
OKBB features over 800 bourbons and over 200 American whiskeys, so the selection is extremely extensive! While bourbon is the main feature, OKBB also serves cocktails, beer, and wine so everyone can easily find a drink they enjoy.
Weekend in Newport Kentucky: Sunday Itinerary
Sunday’s itinerary is short and sweet – assuming you will be departing in the morning or early afternoon. Day #3 is the only day that is not completely walkable. It includes a stop at a park which requires very windy and hilly roads to reach. You will want to drive or take an Uber to the park.
Below is our map with driving directions for Day #3. While this day is technically all in Covington KY, the stops are still very close to Newport.
Breakfast at Cedar
Start your final morning by indulging in breakfast at Cedar. They serve a variety of breakfast and lunch items that will satisfy whatever you are craving – whether you are looking for something savory or sweet!
I love the hangover bowl (minus the chorizo as a vegetarian option) and my husband loves the chicken and waffles.
Cedar is usually very busy and does not accept reservations, so I recommend arriving right as they open to avoid a long wait.
Devou Park
To conclude the weekend in Newport Kentucky, we will finish at scenic Devou Park! Depending on how much time you would like to spend, Devou Park offers a golf course, walking trails, picnic areas, and a disc golf course.
Devou Park encompasses over 700 acres so it is a beautiful city escape for outdoor recreation and relaxing.
In my opinion, the City Overlook at Devou is the best view in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, so it is a must see! The park is large, so to easily reach the City Overlook, you will want to input the address for the Drees Pavilion into your GSP. This will take you directly to a large parking lot for the overlook.
Reaching Devou Park requires hilly and winding roads, so this is the one stop along the itinerary which will require either a car or an Uber. It is possible to walk to the park, but I would not recommend it.
Other Ideas Near Newport Kentucky
Newport on the Levee
While this weekend itinerary included stops at Newport on the Levee, this entertainment district still has so much more to explore!
If you have more time, enjoy a drink at the outdoor Bridgeview Box Bar, watch a movie at AMC Theaters, or play some arcade games at Velocity Esports.
Go Shopping on Monmouth Street
Monmouth Street located in Newport is the main street of town. If you are looking for some time to kill, wander along Monmouth street to pop into some boutique shops or grab a coffee at Carabello Coffee.
Listen to a Piano Duel
Gangsters Dueling Piano Bar is a fun option for a Friday or Saturday night in Newport! Listen to two pianists “duel” it out while enjoying a few drinks and a lively atmosphere!
Hang at a Cat Café
For cat lovers, check out Purrfect Day Cat Café located in Covington KY. This is a coffee shop that also has cats wondering around, so it’s a perfect idea for animal lovers!
Final Thoughts
Newport Kentucky is an exciting destination for a weekend away! Newport provides big city entertainment while still maintaining small town charm.
If you are interested in quality dining options, highly-rated aquariums, beautiful parks, and bourbon tastings, Newport is the place to be!
If you are interested in more guides related to the Cincinnati area, check out my other blog posts: