From Cathedrals to Distilleries: Spirited Stops in Cincy

Day 1

Arrive in the Cincy Region & check into hotel

Dinner cruise on BB Riverboats:

Take a cruise with BB Riverboats, a favorite of the Cincy Region riverfront for more than 40 years. BB Riverboats offers the Admiral's Dinner Cruise on Friday and Saturday evenings and the Captain's Dinner Cruise during the week. Take in the skyline, watch the river roll by, and savor a delicious dinner, all while enjoying entertainment provided by a DJ or live band.
Approximately 2 hours
BB Riverboats Group Contact: Nancy Willhoite, 859-261-8500, nwillhoite@bbriverboats.com

Return to hotel for the evening

Day 2

Breakfast at hotel

Visit the Creation Museum:

A unique family space in the rolling hills of Petersburg, KY. This attraction showcases a state-of-the-art 70,000 square foot museum showcasing biblical history. This acclaimed, one-of-a-kind museum is filled with animatronic displays, videos, a planetarium, a special effects theater, botanical gardens, children's zoo, zip line and more. Four on-site dining options offer breakfasts, lunches, coffees, and snacks. The Creation Museum is a stop on the Kentucky Faith Trail. Check in using your digital pass and be on your way to receiving a free gift for visiting 5 stops!
Approximately 2-3 hours
Creation Museum Group Contact:  Eddie Lutz, 513-240-6642, elutz@arkencounter.com

Lunch on site at Noah's Café:
Noah’s Café is the perfect stopping place for guests. Located right off the main lobby as you enter the museum, the café features fresh fruits, burgers, sandwiches & meal deals. The café also has a wide range of snacks and beverages.

Tour St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption:

This historic structure, located in Covington, is a stunning example of gothic architecture. Inspired by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the cathedral houses 3 pipe organs, countless statues and art works, including murals by Frank Duveneck. It contains multiple luminous stained-glass windows, including the largest stained-glass church window in the world at 67 ft x 24 ft. St. Mary's is also home to the Relic Collection of the Diocese of Covington, one of the largest holdings in the United States, with over 350 relics. St. Mary’s Cathedral is a stop on the Kentucky Faith Trail. Check in using your digital pass and be on your way to receiving a free gift for visiting 5 stops!
Approximately 1 hour
St. Mary's Cathedral Group Contact: Mary Easterling, 859-431-2060, measterling@covcathedral.com

Return to hotel for refresh/down time

Dinner at Moerlein Lager House:

Situated at Smale Riverfront Park, Moerlein Lager House offers a unique dining experience. This working microbrewery serves up refreshing brews, a delicious menu with something for everyone, and relaxing river views. If time permits, stroll through Smale Riverfront Park to take in more of the riverfront after your meal.
Moerlein Lager House Group Contact: Melanie Sandy: 513-421-2337, privatedining@moerleinlh.com

Return to hotel for the evening

Day 3

Breakfast at hotel

Explore with a Newport Gangster Tour:

Learn how Newport, KY was the original ‘Sin City’ before Las Vegas! Learn about the history of Newport’s speakeasies, organized crime, and bootlegging legacy. Hear stories of famous gangsters that left their mark and well-known celebrities that frequented Newport.
Approximately 2 hours
American Legacy Tours Group Contact:859-951-8560, questions@americanlegacytours.com

Lunch at Hofbräuhaus:

Hofbräuhaus Newport is the first authentic Hofbräuhaus outside of Munich Germany and features truly authentic Bavarian dining and entertainment. A traditional Bavarian menu showcases various sausages, schnitzels, giant pretzels, and the infamous Bavarian Cream Puff. The last week of every month the keg is tapped for the upcoming monthly seasonal beer and there is live music playing most weekends. Where it is Oktoberfest every day, Prost!
Hofbräuhaus Group Contact: Karen Maslin, 859-491-7200, kmaslin@hofbrauhausnewport.com

Distillery Tour at Boone County Distilling Co:

What’s a trip to Kentucky without Kentucky Bourbon? Discover some of the history behind Kentucky bourbon and get a firsthand look at the process with a Boone County Distilling tour. Go from grain to glass as you get up close and personal with the cooking, mash, and double distilling. Founded in 2015, Boone County Distilling brought bourbon production back to Boone County, Kentucky. Their tagline, “Made by Ghosts”, honors the history of what was once the largest distillery in Kentucky. Boone County Distilling is a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distillery and a distillery stop on The B-Line®, Northern Kentucky’s bourbon experience. Check in using the mobile app or ask your tour guide for a Line Guide and get one step closer to free swag!
Approximately 1 hour
Boone County Distilling Co. Group Contact: Bruce Eckstein, 859-282-6545, bruce@boonedistilling.com

Hard Rock Casino: 

If you like gaming, you are in the right place. Over 1,600 slot machines await you, plus a full variety of live table games. Poker fan? Hard Rock offers 24/7 live poker tables. When you are ready for a break, tour the memorabilia, relax with a drink in one of the 7 on-site bars and lounges, or enjoy a meal in one of the 5 restaurants. Everything from grab and go or pizza to fine dining steak and seafood await you. Tour Bus groups of 25 or more have special play and food promotions and there are programs for smaller groups. Hard Rock Casino has all the elements for a good time!
Approximately 2 hours
Hard Rock Casino Group Tour Contact: (513) 250-5800

Dinner at one of the Hard Rock Casino restaurants:
Enjoy Dinner at the Hard Rock Café with a menu of American classics, brick oven pizza at Brick’d, Asian Pacific dining at YouYu, or steak and seafood at the fine dining Council Oak Steak & Seafood.

Return to hotel for the evening

Day 4

Breakfast at hotel

Patriots Landing:

Patriots Landing is a faith-based nonprofit whose mission is to enhance the lives of veterans and their families. Their Julian Carter Wills Veterans Woodshop is where veterans come to heal through the creation of "Products with a Purpose", the patriotic and faith themed products sold in their showroom. Tours include learning the history of the organization, touring the production area, and meeting some of the veterans that utilize the programing. Tours can add a hands on opportunity to make their own Patriot Cross in the shop.
Approximately 1hour for tour only, 2 hours if adding hands on option.
Patriots Landing Group Contact: Joe Montgomery, 513-258-1475, operationhonororg@gmail.com

Ark Encounter:

The Ark Encounter is situated in Williamstown, KY and features a full-size Noah's Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet tall, this 3 decked, modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old. The Ark Encounter has a multitude of experiences included with your admission: the carousel, zoo and animal encounters, a children's playground, and resident concerts. Other experiences on site include zip lines, camel encounters and rides, VR and more! Plenty of dining options offer everything from breakfast, tacos, BBQ, a buffet, coffee, snacks, treats and more! The Ark Encounter is a stop on the Kentucky Faith Trail. Check in using your digital pass and be on your way to receiving a free gift for visiting 5 stops! Lunch at Emzara’s at the Ark Encounter is available during the visit.
Approximately 6 hours
Ark Group Contact: Eddie Lutz, 859-240-6642, elutz@arkencounter.com

Lunch at one of the Ark's dining options.

Dinner at Kellie's Homestead:

Just 10 minutes from The Ark Encounter, Kellie's Homestead Restaurant is one of a kind! Experience some of Kentucky's southern charm by enjoying Kellie's signature comfort dishes or elevate your experience with a buffet style dinner while enjoying a show at their Bravo Theatre. Either way, be sure to save room for some sweet treats from Uncle Leroy's Candy Kitchen located inside the restaurant. Kellie's Homestead was featured on America's Best Restaurants! Watch the video here. 
Kellie’s Homestead Group Contact: Kellie, 859-903-9477, kellieshomestead@gmail.com

Return to hotel for the evening

Day 5

Depart the Cincy Region - see you next time!