Some of the Best Parts of Cincinnati…Are in Kentucky
Just across the Ohio River, the cities of Northern Kentucky are still very much a reflection of neighboring Cincinnati, OH. You’ll see plenty of Bengals and Reds gear, as well as that of FC Cincinnati, the city’s Major League Soccer Club. But you’ll also find more of that unbridled Kentucky spirit. It’s a little more independent, a little more raucous — perhaps even saucy — and a little more real.
Speaking of spirit, there are plenty more Kentucky spirits here, too. Sure, Cincy is a bourbon town, but when you head over into the Bluegrass State, the status of that barrel-aged whiskey is elevated to near religion.
So if a trip to Cincy is in your future, make sure to include the city’s other half — in Northern Kentucky. (By the way, if you fly in you’ll be off to a great start, as the airport is actually in Northern Kentucky. The airport code “CVG” is named for Covington, KY.) Ready to explore?
Ninety-five percent of US bourbons are made in Kentucky, and the northern part of the state is your gateway to it all. This is the home of 11 of the best bourbon bars in the nation, according to The Bourbon Review, which also once named the region the “Best Bourbon Weekend Trip.” And the locals have made it easy for you. Their bourbon trail is called The B-Line® and includes a collection of craft distilleries, bourbon bars, and restaurants that specialize in the spirit.
A ‘New Riff’ on an old tradition
The bourbons are outstanding, but don’t skip the gin...
A ‘New Riff’ on an old tradition
New Riff Distilling has been crushing it since it opened its doors in 2014. Both their signature bourbon and rye whiskeys and their two gins won double gold awards from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. And while the bourbons are outstanding, don’t skip the gin. I don’t generally like gin but was encouraged to try it at one of their tastings. I eventually broke down and took a sip…and bought a bottle on the spot. Sip it neat, it’s that good.
Photo: Gage Dailey / New Riff Distilling
Work your way through 700 bourbons
You'll want to try them all...
Work your way through 700 bourbons
The first bar in the region devoted to bourbon, the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar (or OKBB) presents you with a mind-boggling list of more than 700 bourbons—plus 200 more American whiskeys. Definitely ask the knowledgeable servers about the “dusty bottles” released from their bourbon vault at various times.
Photo: Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar
For a more contemporary vibe—and perhaps a little Pappy Van Winkle
Perhaps the apex of it all...
For a more contemporary vibe—and perhaps a little Pappy Van Winkle
For a more upscale scene, hit the lobby bar at the award-winning Hotel Covington. There’s a craft cocktail menu with rotating seasonal options as well as a much more extensive bourbon menu that’s two pages long (in small type). Perhaps the apex of it all, though, is the 1 ounce of The Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve that will set you back $400 (though don’t worry—there are plenty of other great bourbons on offer that are more accessible).
Photo: maeching chaiwongwatthana / Shutterstock
Smooth bourbon and smoked meats—you can’t lose
Save room for dessert...
Smooth bourbon and smoked meats—you can’t lose
Named for one-time Major League Baseball pitcher Walter “Smoke” Justis, the multilevel sports bar Smoke Justis lists more than 340 bourbons on their menu. And that’s not even taking into account the separate menus for whiskeys, ryes, scotch, and Irish whiskey (as well as others for beer, wine, and cocktails). There are plenty of smoked meats to order, too, but be sure to leave a little room for the Bourbon Pecan Blondie.
Photo: Catie Viox / Smoke Justis
Bourbon and coffee in one stop? Don’t mind if I do
A shot of bourbon with a coffee chaser...
Bourbon and coffee in one stop? Don’t mind if I do
Located in the Newberry Brothers Coffee shop is the small, speakeasy-esque Prohibition Bourbon Bar. They claim to have the largest collection of bourbon and rye whiskeys in the world—more than 6,000 of them. To start, there are more than 800 bourbons alone. You might just need a boost from one of their coffees first to get through the drink menu alone.
Photo: Newberry Bros. Coffee
If getting outdoors is your jam, Northern Kentucky has you covered. There are cycling options from mountain biking to cruising on urban rentals, paddling on kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, a slew of hiking trails and art walks, fishing, orienteering, horseback riding, and one of the world’s best disc golf courses.
A different sort of fairway
Find your sweet spot on this pro course...
A different sort of fairway
England-Idlewild Park in Burlington, KY, is a 24-hole championship disc golf course that’s regularly rated as one of the best in the country—if not the world. The course is often described as both immaculate and exceptionally difficult, so it’s no wonder it serves as a regular stop on the Disc Golf Pro Tour.
Photo: Tero Vesalainen / Shutterstock
You can’t ‘lick’ these paddling opportunities
Get out on the Licking River...
You can’t ‘lick’ these paddling opportunities
Running through the heart of the region is the Licking River, which separates the towns of Covington and Newport before flowing into the Ohio. There are several put-ins along the Licking for kayaks. If you’re looking to rent, head to the lake in A.J. Jolly Park in Campbell County. There you can procure one- and two-person kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and paddleboats.
Photo: Watcher Fox / Shutterstock
Pump those pedals
Two-wheel trails for beginners and experts...
Pump those pedals
Devou Park has some 8 miles of mountain bike trails, rated from beginner to expert. Trailforks.com describes them as “flowy-pumpy-jumpy BMX-ish sweetness.” The park also features some of the longest climbs and descents in the region. On the other end of the spectrum, there are also road bike rentals here for those inclined toward a mellower cycling experience.
Photo: Real Sports Photos / Shutterstock
Stroll your way to great food, art,…and mobsters
Get a glimpse of history on a walking tour...
Stroll your way to great food, art,…and mobsters
The Northern Kentucky region offers an array of walking tours, including ones dedicated to foodie experiences, local artists, haunted houses, and breweries. Take the Newport Gangster Tour and learn the truly fascinating story of how the origins of Las Vegas can be traced back to right here in Kentucky. And be sure to trek across the Roebling Suspension Bridge, a national historic landmark that served as the prototype for NYC’s Brooklyn Bridge.
Photo: meetNKY / American Legacy Tours
Use your sole power
Commune with nature on the area’s hiking trails...
Use your sole power
Looking for a little more solitude and connections to nature? Hit the trails of Northern Kentucky. Florence Nature Park’s paved trails are gentle, accessible, and perfect for strollers and wheelchairs. Doe Run Nature Trail encompasses a 50-acre lake, while AJ Jolly Park has 9.5 miles of natural terrain trails for more experienced hikers.
Photo: Patrick Jennings / Shutterstock
If you’re traveling with the kiddos, Northern Kentucky (aka “NKY”) has plenty of family-friendly accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. But you can expect a different take on the family vacay here (because IYKYK, right?).
Cruise the Ohio
See the sights from the river...
Cruise the Ohio
Hop aboard a BB Riverboats cruise with the family to see the sights on both sides of the Ohio River, absorb some local history, and get a fresh perspective on the region. Choose from historic, sunset, brunch, and dinner cruises. On Sundays there are also Ice Cream Social cruises, where guests can look forward to scoops with assorted toppings during a sightseeing tour.
Photo: BB Riverboats
‘Sea’ thousands of exotic aquatic creatures
Are you brave enough for the Shark Bridge?
‘Sea’ thousands of exotic aquatic creatures
Located in the Newport On The Levee entertainment complex, the Newport Aquarium offers up to 70 exhibits and 14 galleries, including 200 feet of acrylic tunnels that run through a 60,000-gallon tank filled with sharks, shark rays, stingrays, and fish. Exhibits include the new Hatchling Harbor, Frog Bog, Gator Alley, Penguin Palooza, and Shark Central. And speaking of sharks, don’t miss the first-in-the-world Shark Bridge, where you cross a nylon net bridge just inches above a tank full of...yep, live sharks!
Photo: Newport Aquarium
Play ball, Y’alls!
Take them out to the ball game...
Play ball, Y’alls!
When it comes to baseball in Cincinnati, the Reds are king. But nearby Florence, KY, is home to the Y’alls. Named for the town’s distinct striped water tower emblazoned with the words “FLORENCE, Y’ALL,” this Frontier League team has a family section with seats costing $11 (or $13 day of). Their Kid Zone features two inflatables, two playscapes, and a basketball court.
Photo: Erin Claybaugh / Florence Y’alls
Play your way through local history
Come face to face with a mammoth fossil...
Play your way through local history
Located in Devou Park, the Behringer-Crawford Museum traces the history of Northern Kentucky with an eclectic array of artifacts, dioramas, and an extensive and exquisitely detailed model train display. The restored 1892 streetcar “Kentucky” is also on display, just one attraction among three floors of rotating collections, fossils, paintings, and even a preserved two-headed calf. Outside is NaturePlay@BCM, a greenspace with kid-sized cabins and caves, a replica flatboat, gardens filled with native plants, and walkways embedded with animal tracks.
Photo: Behringer-Crawford Museum
Defy gravity—and burn some serious energy
Fly through the air with the greatest of ease...
Defy gravity—and burn some serious energy
A great and active option, especially for tweens and teens, is DEFY Florence. The indoor entertainment park is packed with aerial and bounce-able activities, including foam pits, extreme dodgeball, aerial silks, zipline, slackline, stunt fall, tramp wall, and a ninja obstacle course. Pro tip: Fill out your waiver online beforehand to reduce your time in line and arrive at least 30 minutes before your check-in time.
Photo: In Green / Shutterstock
Northern Kentucky has a diverse food scene, with establishments that often draw on the area’s German heritage. So many German immigrants settled here throughout the 1800s that one of the neighborhoods in Covington (a place chock-full of bars, restaurants, and shops) is called Mainstrasse Village — Mainstrasse is German for Main Street. But there are also restaurants presenting flavors from Italy, Cambodia, the Netherlands, Japan, India, the Mediterranean, and more. For truly local fare, check out Dixie Chili’s version of Cincy-style chili as well as goetta, which is sausage-like with ground pork and beef, onions, garlic, steel-cut oats, and lots of spices.
Raise a pint
Prost! A new bier every month...
Raise a pint
Dive right into the region’s German heritage by dropping into Hofbräuhaus Newport Brewery & Restaurant. This sprawling restaurant/brewery/beer hall, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is the first in the US that adheres to the standards set by the original in Munich, Germany. The menu is packed with German-style pretzels, wursts, potato pancakes, and spaetzle (egg noodles), as well as one of the best burgers anywhere. Biers are brewed onsite and are appropriately served by the liter (or half liter). And when the weather warms up, check out one of the best biergartens around.
Photo: Hofbräuhaus Newport
Tacos elevated to epic status
Taking a standard taco to greater heights...
Tacos elevated to epic status
Covington’s Agave & Rye has a simple goal: Make it epic. They deliver chef-inspired takes on the standard taco (with names like The Filthy Fajita, The Cheesy Amigo, and The Latin Lover) along with cocktails that are also…well, epic. There’s a broad selection of more than 90 tequilas and a menu filled with tequila- and bourbon-based concoctions. Be sure to hit nearby Braxton Brewing Company after…or before (or both)!
Photo: Joshua Resnick / Shutterstock
Take a break from the bourbon—for mezcal
Or go for a custom frozen margarita flavor...
Take a break from the bourbon—for mezcal
Located in Mainstrasse Village, the bar at Frida 602 offers an array of mezcal and tequila options, as well as creative margaritas (look for the Frozen Cucumber-Watermelon and Frozen Passionfruit versions). Come for the drinks, stay for the food, as the restaurant serves up Latin street cuisine including a la carte tacos, alongside dishes such as pozole, enchiladas, and chalupitas.
Photo: Deogracias Lerma / Frida 602
Tastebuds kowtow to this joint
A local eatery serving high-quality family favorites...
Tastebuds kowtow to this joint
A little off the beaten path, The Elusive Cow in Bellevue is something of a neighborhood gathering place—but one that leans on high-quality organic ingredients. Dig into hearty burgers (which you can order as beef, turkey, or bison), an array of sandwiches, and entrees like grilled Irish salmon as you sip local craft beers or wines by the glass.
Photo: Alena Marchuk / Shutterstock
High-end cuisine in a relaxed setting
The seasonal menu is always evolving...
High-end cuisine in a relaxed setting
The farm-to-table restaurant Bouquet is a higher-end food experience that manages to pull off a relaxed, unpretentious vibe. They offer delicious, sustainable food that’s sourced via their relationships with more than 50 local farmers. There are vegan options along with an extensive bourbon and wine selection—and if you don’t order one of their amazing charcuterie boards, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice.
Photo: Repina Valeriya / Shutterstock
Wind through the quaint streets of Northern Kentucky and shop local. You’ll find vintage records, pop culture and science fiction toys, antiques, handmade souvenirs, artisanal candles, hat shops, and perhaps even a mummified cat (trust us, keep reading, it’ll make sense). Yep, things are about to get arcane.
Your bridge to caffeinated knowledge
Books, beans, and baked goods...
Your bridge to caffeinated knowledge
Located virtually in the shadow of the historic Roebling Bridge, Roebling Point Books & Coffee is a delightfully meandering collection of small rooms stocked wall-to-wall with knowledge-filled books. The great little coffee shop is wedged into the first room and serves up various baked goods, too. I mean, books, beans, and baked goods. What’s not to like here?
Photo: Rafael Danendra / Shutterstock
When your arcana just needs to be bespoke
Visit for magical solutions you didn’t know you needed...
When your arcana just needs to be bespoke
As much a museum as it is a market, Hierophany & Hedge is your ritual headquarters. Located in Covington’s Pike Street District, you’ll find that perfect selection of made-to-measure wands and talismans, as well as candles, incense, and crystals. You may actually find some eye of newt here, too. The owners also consult, providing complete thaumaturgic and sibylline services (to help, say, harden corporate offices against remote viewing or ensure that a new home isn’t constructed on a geomantic ley line, of course).
Photo: Phil Armstrong / Hierophany & Hedge
Another otherworldly shop
This place is crammed with collectibles...
Another otherworldly shop
Earth to Kentucky is kitschy, cool, and completely crammed with collectibles. It’s perfect for when you’re looking for just the right place to pick up your model AT-AT Walker, Ren & Stimpy collectibles (such as a Powdered Toast Man action figure), Planet of the Apes paraphernalia, back issues of Cracked magazine, Masters of the Universe board game, or ironic Golden Girls mug.
Photo: Earth To Kentucky
Hail, hail, rock ’n’ roll
This record store has gone weird...
Hail, hail, rock ’n’ roll
Hail Records & Oddities is bursting with…well, records and oddities. The self-admitted “record store gone weird” is packed full of books, CDs, VHS movies, and plenty of vinyl—all wedged between a menagerie of taxidermied animals. There are crystal balls, Ouija boards, vintage medical equipment, ram skulls, and, just possibly, that mummified cat for which you’ve been searching.
Photo: Martin Bergsma / Shutterstock
Recharge your spirit
This metaphysical shop is also an Airbnb...
Recharge your spirit
The goal of the “working apothecarium metaphysical shop” (and Airbnb) that is Seventh Street Gifts is to provide an accessible, affordable apothecary. Thus, their offerings include handcrafted soaps, fresh oils, candles made onsite, and teas, herbs, and tinctures. Now be honest: Did you expect to come across a spot like this in Northern Kentucky?
Photo: Fotografiecor.nl / Shutterstock