Overview
Covington is a city in Kentucky's Northern Ohio River Region across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the largest city in Northern Kentucky.
Covington is pretty much the southern side of Cincinnati, with similar architecture (though far better preserved if not in the best of shape) and a shared history linked by the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge and the Ohio River. Like its eastern neighbor, Newport, it has profited from revitalization.
6 sights · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Covington
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption
The Diocese of Covington's home cathedral and inspired by several French cathedrals. The front is a version of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris without the High towers. They could not be accommodated by the soil at that loc…
Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati
The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge
Unique condo tower designed by famous architect Daniel Libeskind who designed the original concept for the replacement for the World Trade Center in New York City. Though it is a private residence, one should see it from…
Riverside Drive Historic District
One of the oldest neighborhoods remaining in the Cincinnati area, with many charming houses dating from the early to mid 1800s. Because it was built on a bluff and less flood prone than many other places around the river…
Devou Park
Absolutely breathtaking park with a view overlooking Covington and Cincinnati - picnic tables, playground, grills, golf, trails, the whole getup. Most notable, though, is the overlook of Covington from atop the park's gr…
Mainstrasse Village
MainStrasse Village is a festival/entertainment district known for numerous bars, historic architecture, its famous Goebel Park Bell Tower and its German heritage. A walking tour is available on its website.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 23°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Cincinnati)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LUK Cincinnati Municipal Airport Lunken Field, Cincinnati — 6 mi away. Directions
- CVG Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, Cincinnati / Covington — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions
Covington is accessible by Interstate 71/75 via Exits 192 (Fifth Street—Covington/Ludlow) and 190 (Twelfth Street—Newport/Covington). Covington's street grid numbers southbound — away from the river — whereas Cincinnati's grid numbers northbound. That causes confusion for some travelers coming in from the interstate. The first Fifth Street ramp, when traveling northbound (from Kentucky) is Covington. The next one, labeled "Fifth Street Downtown", is Cincinnati's Fifth Street.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $170–$170 a night (typical $185), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $38 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$240, mid-range ~$300, comfortable ~$420.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Mainstrasse Village, The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge
- Lunch Riverview Revolving Restaurant
- Afternoon Riverside Drive Historic District, Devou Park
- Dinner Anchor Grill
- Evening Braxton Brewery
Day 2
- Morning Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati
- Lunch Pike Street
- Dinner Greyhound Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. (Exit 4, State Route 212) Phone: +1 859 767-3151 ([mailto:info@cvgairport.com info@cvgairport.com]). Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is in nearby Hebron, Kentucky.
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Columbus, Dayton International Airport (DAY) in Dayton, and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Louisville are also options for travelers.
By car
Covington is accessible by Interstate 71/75 via Exits 192 (Fifth Street—Covington/Ludlow) and 190 (Twelfth Street—Newport/Covington). Covington's street grid numbers southbound — away from the river — whereas Cincinnati's grid numbers northbound. That causes confusion for some travelers coming in from the interstate. The first Fifth Street ramp, when traveling northbound (from Kentucky) is Covington. The next one, labeled "Fifth Street Downtown", is Cincinnati's Fifth Street.
By train
Amtrak offers passenger train service from key U.S. cities. The nearest station is in Cincinnati, at Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center.
By bus
- Greyhound offers passenger bus service from many U.S. cities. Buses arrive and depart from Greyhound's station in downtown Cincinnati.
Get around
- Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK). Provides bus service in Northern Kentucky and has several routes that crosses the Ohio River into Cincinnati.
- The Southbank Shuttle which is provided by TANK provides regular bus service from Downtown Cincinnati to the Covington and Newport Riverfronts. For more information on times and stops check the Southbank Shuttle website here.
- TANK Sales Office; Mercantile Building; 120 East 4th Street, Cincinnati, OH; Hours: M-F 6:30AM – 6PM;
See
See Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption
The Diocese of Covington's home cathedral and inspired by several French cathedrals. The front is a version of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris without the High towers. They could not be accommodated by the soil at that location. Guided tours can be arranged by contacting the cathedral.
See Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati (Railway Exposition Museum)
See The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge
Unique condo tower designed by famous architect Daniel Libeskind who designed the original concept for the replacement for the World Trade Center in New York City. Though it is a private residence, one should see it from the outside as it is one of the most unique buildings in the entire region.
See Riverside Drive Historic District
One of the oldest neighborhoods remaining in the Cincinnati area, with many charming houses dating from the early to mid 1800s. Because it was built on a bluff and less flood prone than many other places around the river, there are lots of stately old mansions with a blend of Antebellum South and early Mid-Atlantic style architecture. This area is known to house the birthplace of Boy Scouts of America founder Daniel Carter Beard (which there is a small memorial to, though the house is a private residence). It's also great for an afternoon stroll along the river with George Rogers Clark Park being a popular spot for weddings.
Do
- Dog Costume Parade (Mainstrasse Village) Held in October, near Halloween. This listing will serve either as an enticement or a warning, depending on your personal philosophies.
Buy
Shop Second Sunday Antiques Marketplace (Sixth Street Promenade)
Held from 9AM - 3PM on the second Sunday of most months (from May to August and also October), in the MainStrasse Village.
Eat
Budget
Eat Anchor Grill
This 24-hour diner is known for its cheap food and unique clientele. The later you go the more interesting it gets. Not much has changed since this greasy spoon opened its doors in 1946. Pick a song on the table-mounted jukebox and see Barbie and her mechanized band perform it live!
Eat Pike Street
Brunch eatery.
Mid-range
Splurge
Eat Greyhound Tavern
Established 1921 and located in a beautiful old building, but with very modern prices.
Eat Riverview Revolving Restaurant (Eighteen at the Radisson)
Revolving restaurant over a hotel overlooking downtown Cincinnati. Come here for the view more than the food, though the menu does offer some local items such as Cincinnati Chili and Greaters Ice Cream.
Drink
Unlike Ohio, for better or for worse, Kentucky still allows smoking in its bars. Some bars in Ohio complained about bars in Kentucky stealing their business due to this ordinance, though if you don't like smoke be warned that it does exist here.
Drink Braxton Brewery
Large garage-like lounge that by day brews excellent coffee and by night equally excellent beer. Come during the day to get work done with high speed wifi or at night to hang out with friends and watch a game while drinking very unique high quality beers which include flavors like "Tropical Stout", or "Hull Melon Hops". Hopefully this is a catalyst for Covington's downtown whose gorgeous dense old Victorian brick buildings would remind a well traveled person of Boston minus all the people.
Liquor stores
People in the Cincinnati area flock to Northern Kentucky for its cheaper and more plentiful alcohol due to its looser liquor laws. As a result the riverfronts of Covington and Newport have many large liquor stores that cater to Cincinnatians who are looking to stock up for a big party. Travelers who prefer to drink in their hotel room should check out some of these local stores, particularly for their excellent selection of Kentucky Bourbon.
Sleep
Covington's hotels draw a lot of visitors from Cincinnati. Many of them identify themselves as Cincinnati hotels in their names, despite their location in Covington.
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Go next
- Newport is the other major Cincinnati-satellite over the Kentucky border.
- Louisville
- Lexington (Kentucky)
Nearby
Fort Wright
City / town · 2 listings · 2 mi away
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Florence
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Hebron
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