Overview
Newport is a city on the Ohio River in Kentucky's Northern Ohio River Region or as locals call it, Northern Kentucky.
Founded in the 1790s by James Taylor, Jr., Newport is named after British Admiral Christopher Newport, who helped to found the Jamestown colony in 1607. In its early years, Newport was home to an army post, which helped to spur the town's growth. Later, it was known as a vice district, given Cincinnati's conservative nature it was a perfect nearby refuge for burlesque, gambling, and other vices. The City had a strong mafia presence for many years.
Today, it is proximity to Cincinnati that provides the spur, as Newport's hotels and riverfront area draw visitors from the Queen City. The city is quite a bit more family friendly these days with Newport on the Levee having an aquarium and many family friendly events. In spite of these changes, if you know where to look you can still find some vice.
4 sights · 6 things to do · 6 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Newport
Newport Aquarium
An Aquarium that has a unique design, spectators are in a "cage" which is a glass surrounded tunnel, completely surrounded by large underwater exhibits.
World Peace Bell
One of the largest bells in the world, this bell was made to be part of a never built Millennium Monument that would stand right next to where it's at now.
East Row Historic District
large walkable historic district with well preserved collection of 19th century Victorian homes
General James Taylor Park
park at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers offers closeup views of the legendary Cincinnati, Ohio skyline. Site of the former Newport Barracks, a military installation from 1803-1894.
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
While the KSO has its offices in Newport the KSO performs all over Kentucky so be sure to call or fax the KSO is you're interested in their schedule.
Thompson House
4-level former mansion converted to rock 'n' roll venue. This nearly 200 year old building is also known for being the birthplace of Brig. Gen. John Tariaferro Thompson, the inventor of the "Tommy Gun". Due to a family d…
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 — 4 mi away. Directions
- CVG Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, Cincinnati / Covington — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
There are three airports close to Newport:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning World Peace Bell, Newport Gangster Tour, Southgate House Revival
- Lunch Newport Pizza Co
- Afternoon Thompson House, East Row Historic District
- Dinner Brio Tuscan Grille
- Evening Hofbräuhaus
Day 2
- Morning Newport Aquarium, BB Riverboat Cruises
- Lunch La Mexicana Restaurant
- Afternoon General James Taylor Park, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
- Dinner Pompilio's
- Evening Wooden Cask Brewery
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
There are three airports close to Newport:
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River.
- Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
- Lexington (Blue Grass Airport) (LEX)
By car
Newport is served directly by Interstate 471, which can be reached by Interstates 71 (from Columbus and Louisville), 75 (from Dayton and Lexington), US 50 (Columbia Parkway from the eastern suburbs of Cincinnati) and 275 (the circle beltway).
One of the most beautiful panoramic views in the country occurs when driving northbound on Interstate 71/75 (the interstate routes share the same highway in part of Northern Kentucky) traveling into downtown Cincinnati, just before the Brent Spence Bridge. If you go this way get off in Covington at 4th street and cross over the Licking River to Newport where 4th St joins 5th St.
By foot
The Purple People Bridge (officially the "Newport Southbank Bridge"), formerly a road and rail bridge, now a pedestrian and bicycle only bridge, is a good way to get across from Downtown Cincinnati, particularly if you can't find a parking spot in Newport and want to park in one of the less traveled parts of the Cincinnati riverfront (though with a revitalization of Cincinnati's downtown and riverfront this is getting more and more difficult). The Bridge is nicely landscaped and could make a pleasant walk on a warm evening. It is also open to cyclists.
By bicycle
RedBike, Cincinnati's bike share program, also has some stations in Newport most notably right by Newport on the Levee so you can quickly ride your bike straight from Downtown Cincinnati or Over the Rhine to Newport in minutes via The Purple People Bridge. Sadly, it's not as easy to get from nearby Covington as the bridges over the licking river are quite high and could be difficult to ride a bike over.
By bus
- TANK runs buses all over Northern Kentucky. Check website for routes and times.
- 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.
Get around
By car
Newport is on a grid, so getting around by car is relatively easy. Keep in mind that the street numbers/addresses get larger as you are going south instead of north. Monmouth Street is the main commercial district and the area around Newport on the Levee its main Entertainment district.
Parking can be difficult. The Levee has a parking garage, but on weekends it can be full. It used to be free to park on the riverfront, but the restaurants in the boats on the river banded together to jack up prices to rates way above what you'd pay to park in the Levee garage, expect to pay around $6 to park there.
Finally you could try parking on the narrow city streets, but keep your eye out for any parking restrictions such as street cleaning.
By foot
Newport is very walkable. Most everything you'll need is within walking distance as the city is relatively small and compact. The pedestrian-only Newport Southbank Bridge (popularly known as the "Purple People Bridge") connects the Newport on the Levee mall with Downtown Cincinnati.
By bus
- Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK). Provides bus service in Northern Kentucky and has several routes that crosses the Ohio into Cincinnati.
- TANK Sales Office; Mercantile Building; 120 East 4th Street, Cincinnati, OH; Hours: M-F 6:30AM–6PM.
See
See World Peace Bell
One of the largest bells in the world, this bell was made to be part of a never built Millennium Monument that would stand right next to where it's at now.
See East Row Historic District
large walkable historic district with well preserved collection of 19th century Victorian homes
See General James Taylor Park
park at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers offers closeup views of the legendary Cincinnati, Ohio skyline. Site of the former Newport Barracks, a military installation from 1803-1894.
Do
Newport previously had the reputation of being where to go to find strippers, due to revitalization, most of these places have closed down. In its place is a rich nightlife, and many family-oriented destinations and events, though if you look hard enough there still are a few gentlemen's clubs here and there.
Do Thompson House
4-level former mansion converted to rock 'n' roll venue. This nearly 200 year old building is also known for being the birthplace of Brig. Gen. John Tariaferro Thompson, the inventor of the "Tommy Gun". Due to a family dispute, this place has changed ownership for better or worse depending on your tastes in music.
Do BB Riverboat Cruises
Series of riverboat tours offered on an old steamboat, the Belle of Cincinnati. You can take either a normal 1 hour cruise seeing both Downtown Cincinnati and the old Riverfront cities of Northern Kentucky or have lunch or dinner on board. Also available are cruises for special events, including a very expensive cruise during the Labor Day fireworks at Riverfest which fills up early.
Buy
Eat
Budget
Eat Dixie Chili
Cincinnati-style chili served a bit spicier than most varieties of the regional specialty. Also notable for offering a "6-way" chili (see here for an explanation of "ways"), which adds chopped garlic to a "5-way". Locations also in Covington and Erlanger.
Eat La Mexicana Restaurant
Probably the best authentic Mexican taqueria in the Cincinnati area. This is the real deal, and if you aren't familiar with real Mexican street food, make sure to get the horchata (rice milk) on a hot day nothing beats it.
Eat Sis's on Monmouth
Home cooking with a popular steak night on Thursday. Live music several times a week.
Mid-range
Eat Pompilio's
Pompilio's is a good Italian restaurant. The restaurant is famous for playing host to the scene in Rain Man, where Dustin Hoffman knows how many toothpicks fell onto the ground.
Eat Brio Tuscan Grille
Italian restaurant.
Eat Newport Pizza Co
Locally owned pizzeria, notable for having pizza with Cincinnati Chili on it.
Splurge
Drink
Drink Hofbräuhaus
Originating in Munich, Germany, this is the first Hofbräuhaus in the United States which makes sense when you realize that Cincinnati is Munich's sister city.
- Huddle's, 628 Monmouth St. Sports bar with a diverse crowd and plenty of regulars. +1 859-261-1986
Drink Crazy Fox Saloon
Laid back, friendly neighborhood bar. It is gay-friendly and doesn't allow any discrimination. Great jukebox, cheap drinks, great people.
Drink Wooden Cask Brewery
Cozy brewery with a decent beer selection and on site restaurant, specializing in small batch brews.
Coffee
Drink Carabello Coffee
Cafe and roaster that offers excellent coffee they also have pour over style brewing by request. Their mission is to be an ethical company that not only buys their coffee from ethical sources but also gives back to communities where it was grown. Free Wifi is also available.
Sleep
Go next
- Covington is also a Kentucky-based satellite of Cincinnati.
- Cincinnati is the largest city in the region.
Nearby
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