Go There: Nosh, Linger & Explore Things to Do in Northern Kentucky
The fun never ends in this Kentucky region.
Just outside of Cincinnati, this region offers a scene all its own as visitors discover and explore all the fun things to do in Northern Kentucky. Crossing the state line from Ohio marks the beginning of the South, and you’ll find cute neighborhoods, plus way more in this area comprised of almost 40 cities. Florence, Covington and Newport are the largest, and nine bridges cross the nearby Ohio River. Keep reading for some of our favorite Northern Kentucky highlights.
In This Article
Where to Stay in Northern Kentucky
The Hotel Covington offers two historic buildings guests can choose from — the original Hotel Covington hotel rooms and coming soon: North by Hotel Covington, preserving the original Covington YMCA building modernized as guest lofts and suites.
A variety of cute bed and breakfasts are available, too:
- The Weller Haus
- First Farm Inn
- Gateway
- Willis Graves
Things to Do in Northern Kentucky
Well, it wouldn’t be Kentucky without bourbon! A couple of bourbon spots worth checking out include Second Sight Spirits and Boone County Distilling Co., which has been around since 1833. The B-Line self-guided bourbon trail guides you through 18 local stops. There are also plenty of breweries and wineries to choose from.
The popular Ark Encounter reimagines the biblical Noah’s Ark at the size detailed in the Bible. There’s even a small zoo on the property. Find all your favorite sea creatures at the Newport Aquarium, including a Giant Pacific Octopus. The aquarium’s location at Newport on the Levee offers even more entertainment. That includes a shipping container park with a tiki bar and a Margaritaville Resort in the coming years. You can also use the Purple People pedestrian bridge to cross over the Ohio River to downtown Cincinnati.
This region is all about its parks — there are 80 plus 40 nature preserves. Some of our favorite parks are:
- Take in the free 121-acre Boone County Arboretum.
- Have a picnic at Devou Park overlooking Covington and Cincinnati.
- In Florence, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is an outdoor museum where you can hike, view a bison herd and learn about the region’s prehistory.
- In Covington, Pioneer Park is perfect for kayaks and paddleboards.
The Behringer-Crawford Museum covers local history, or head over to The Carnegie for local shows and an art gallery with rotating exhibits. You can also take a self-guided art tour of the area.
Where to Eat in Northern Kentucky
From Bourbon House Pizza’s yummy deep dish treats to Pompilio’s, where a couple of movies have been shot over the years, you’ll have many wonderful restaurants to choose from when you’re deciding where to eat in Northern Kentucky.
Check out farm-to-table restaurant Bouquet, Coppin’s inside the Hotel Covington, Otto’s inside a cute old house and Smoke Justis for smoked meats and a more casual yet historic vibe. Some say the Purple Poulet has the best fried chicken in the state of Kentucky.
Need to get some work done? The Hive is a great spot with plenty of food plus plenty of coffee. And you must try the goetta, a local staple. It’s a sausage made of meat and grain. It tastes a lot better than it sounds like it would!
Local Obsession: Unique Neighborhoods
Northern Kentucky offers numerous quaint neighborhoods to explore. A few favorites include:
- Mainstrasse Village has its entire footprint listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the densest collections of 19th-century architecture in the U.S.
- Bellevue’s historic shopping district on Fairview Ave. offers eclectic shops, restaurants and historic buildings. First Friday events here are a fun way to shop locally.
- The Madison District stretches down to the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, a Catholic cathedral modeled on Notre Dame in Paris. Be sure to see the interior stained glass windows and 26 gargoyles.
Whether you’re a history buff, outdoor enthusiast, foodie or bourbon connoisseur, you’ll find a range of things to do in Northern Kentucky.
