Culture, Cocktails, and Cincy: An Ultimate Girls' Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Check into hotel. Suggestions include Pickle Factory, Hotel Covington, or Aloft.

Hotel Covington:

Hotel Covington stands as a testament to high stakes, high fashion and high ambition. You can feel it in all 114 guestrooms, unique restaurant and bar offerings, intimate lounge spaces, and outdoor courtyards. With vintage touches and modern tailoring, the Hotel Covington sings in style, character and comfort.
Hotel Covington Group Contact: 859-905-6600, guestservices@hotelcovington.com

Pickle Factory:

The Pickle Factory is tucked away at the corner of Tobacco and Electric Alleys less than an 8-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati. Over the years the building has been home to a soft drink factory, a pickle factory, and one of the first African-American Odd Fellows lodges and the history has been uniquely woven into every detail of the design of its 8 eclectic rooms. It's conveniently located within walking distance of local eateries, live music, coffee shops, breweries and bars, a food market, and many local shops.
Pickle Factory Group Contact: picklefactory.guestybookings.com

Aloft:

Aloft Newport on the Levee offers easy breezy access to the entire area—but is light-years from a run-of-the-mill hotel. Abuzz with the energy of discovery and interaction, this bold lodging alternative will surely inspire you to explore and immerse yourself in the region.
Aloft Newport on the Levee Group Contact: Amber Badgett, 859-916-5306, amber.badgett@aloftnewportlevee.com

Dinner at Lisse Steakhuis:

This farm to table steakhouse pays homage to the owner’s Dutch roots. Outdoor dining options at Lisse overlook Covington’s Mainstrasse Village and give views of Cincinnati. Entrée options include locally raised beef and pork, along with seafood options. Choose from their impressive bourbon collection or an extensive list of wines stored in the new basement wine cellar. Lisse Steakhuis is a restaurant 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!
Lisse Steakhuis Group Contact: 859-360-7008

Nightcap at Juniper's Gin Bar:

Juniper's Gin Bar is located in the original John R. Green Company building. This warm, inviting space boasts over 200 gin varieties and counting, plus a regular full bar for the creation of classic cocktails with modern flavor. The rotating tapas menu offers a variety of flavors from around the world and has Sunday morning brunch. With frequent live music and special gin events, Juniper's is the perfect spot for a laid-back evening.
Juniper’s Gin Bar Group Contact: 859-291-4466, juniperscov@gmail.com

Return to hotel for the evening. 

Day 2

Light breakfast at hotel, first activity includes food.

Cincy Top 10 Sites and Bites Tour:

This tour is a mix of walking and streetcar travel that will take you from The Banks to Findlay Market in Over The Rhine. Along the way you will see some of the iconic sites of Cincy and get a taste of the culture with 6 classic Cincy foods. Your knowledgeable guide will share the history of Cincinnati, the architecture, murals, and other interesting facts during your tour.
Approximately 3 hours
Riverside Food Tours Group Contact: Laura Noyes, 513-289-0035, laura@riversidefoodtours.com

Choose an Afternoon Activity:

1. The Candle Lab OTR:
   Enjoy a fun and relaxing time pouring your very own candle. You can customize your candle using any of the 120+ fragrances. On staff scent experts will help narrow down your favorites to a list that blends perfectly together. Design your label and mix your oils for a one-of-a-kind experience. Candles can be poured in a variety of sizes as well as wax tarts, aromatic mists, and reed diffusers.
   Approximately 30 minutes
   Candle Lab Group Contact: 614-915-0777
2. Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center:
   Explore your creativity through art and cooking classes! Baker Hunt offers private classes for ceramics, acrylic painting, or cooking. Their beautifully landscaped campus is located in the historic Licking Riverside neighborhood of Covington.
   Approximately 2 hours
   Baker Hunt Group Contact: Alex Nowel, 859-431-0200, alex@bakerhunt.org
3. Findlay Market:
   Findlay Market is the only surviving municipal market house of the nine public markets that operated in Cincinnati in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Findlay Market has operated continuously in the same iron-framed building since 1855, yet it's not just another historic monument, it is an essential institution to life in 21st century Cincinnati. Numerous businesses at Findlay Market span multiple generations. This intergenerational legacy serves to preserve the traditions and core values that define the vibe of Findlay Market. Stroll through the market and shop local vendors, enjoy a delicious meal, and take a self-guided tour. Guided tours are available through the market or third-party tour operators: American Legacy Tours, Brewing Heritage Trail, Cincinnati Food Tours, OTR Museum Walking Tours, and Riverside Food Tours.
   Approximately 2 hours
   Findlay Market Group Contact: info@findlaymarket.org

Return to hotel to refresh before dinner. 

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

Discover nightlife and bars around The Banks after dinner. Suggestions include:

Fishbowl at The Banks:

Located right next to the Great American Ball Park, Fishbowl at the Banks is a casual and modern bar, great for a night out. The drinks at the Fishbowl are not only delicious, but creative and unique too.
Fishbowl at The Banks Group Contact: 513-436-6689, www.fishbowlatthebanks.com/contact

Red Leprechaun:

This traditional Irish pub has a full menu of traditional Irish fare and American bar classics. Red Leprechaun offers a full bar and a drink menu with featured cocktails, Irish Whiskey, and of course Guinness. A feature of the pub is the hand-carved bar that served patrons in Ireland for 62 years before the bar’s back, front, top, and stained glass were saved from demolition and imported here. Fully restored, the bar is now ready to serve patrons once again.
Red Leprechaun Group Contact: 513-268-6701, management@redleprechaun.com

Return to hotel.

Day 3

Enjoy shopping and lunch at Crestview Hills Towne Center: 

Crestview Hills Town Center has something for everyone. Enjoy outlet shopping from brands like Ann Taylor, J Crew, and Talbots. Painted Tree is home to many locally owned, small boutiques, while World Market brings you global treasures. Other options include men’s and children’s clothing, accessories, homegoods, toys, and more.

Lunch options include national offerings and local favorites like Dewey’s Pizza and Asiana Thai and Sushi.

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

Return to hotel for refresh before dinner.

Choose a pre-dinner experience:

1. Bourbon Blending at Wenzel Distillery:
   This personal bourbon blending experience lets guests pull or “thieve” bourbon directly from various barrels and blend them together to craft their perfect sip, then have it bottled to take home. It is named for Henry Wenzel, the Covington manufacturer who operated a soft drink factory in the building shortly after it was built in 1873. Wenzel Distillery is a distillery stop on The B-Line®, Northern Kentucky's bourbon experience. Check in using the mobile app or ask for a Line Guide and get one step closer to free swag!
   Approximately 1.5 hours
   Wenzel Distillery Group Contact: 859-279-3550, www.wenzelwhiskey.com/contact
2. Relax by the glass at Ripple Wine Bar:
   This stylish wine bar in Covington serves a multitude of wines by the ½ glass, glass, ½ bottle, or bottle. This curated collection offers the perfect wine for everyone from the wine novice to connoisseur. Also available are a variety of cocktails and zero-proof drinks, and charcuterie and small plates. The in-house bottle shop can help you bring your new favorite home with you.
   Ripple Wine Bar Contact: 859-261-0004, info@ripplewinebar.com
3. Savor local brews at Braxton Brewing Rooftop:
   Welcome to Braxton Brewing Company, a place where ideas are born and fermented. Locally grown, the Covington Taproom is the original. Enjoy a flight from their rotating taps or a specialty cocktail. Their rooftop bar provides a fun atmosphere and amazing views.
   Braxton Brewing Company Group Contact: 859-261-5600
4. Bourbon History at Revival Vintage Bottle Shop:
   Our bourbon history, your future find. Enjoy a welcome beverage while you tour the upstairs vintage spirits collection and get a whiskey history lesson. Learn how Revival is preserving history and sharing it, one sip at a time! Revival Vintage Bottle Shop is a bar stop on The B-Line®, Northern Kentucky’s bourbon experience. Check in using the mobile app or ask your bartender for a Line Guide and get one step closer to free swag!
   Approximately 1 hour
   Revival Vintage Bottle Shop Group Contact: 859-479-2676

Dinner at Coppin's at Hotel Covington:

Coppin’s is driven by hyper-local sourcing and collaborative partnerships throughout the surrounding region. Coppin’s unique culinary position represents influences from Covington’s Northern and Southern neighbors highlighting bourbon, local craft beers, cider and sodas along with wine and cocktails on draft. Coppin’s is a restaurant stop on The B-Line®, Northern Kentucky’s bourbon experience. Check in using the mobile app or ask your server for a Line Guide and get one step closer to free swag!
Coppin’s Group Contact: 859-905-6600, guestservices@hotelcovington.com

Explore Madison Ave. nightlife at Second Story:

Second Story is a bohemian cocktail bar nestled in downtown Covington inspired by the rich legacy of bars as cultural hubs throughout history. Whether you're a curious traveler, a creative artist, an empathetic listener, or an inquisitive learner, Second Story invites you to join them in diving deeper.
Second Story Group Contact: 859-669-2270

Return to hotel for the evening

Day 4

Check out of hotel and depart Cincy Region. See you next time!