Newport

An entertainment destination that has plenty to offer families, history buffs, or anyone seeking a new adventure!

History of Newport

Newport was established in 1795 and by 1900 was the third largest city in the state of Kentucky. In the 1920s Newport was a hotbed of gambling, speakeasies, and gangsters and had the reputation of Sin City before Las Vegas. The flood of 1937 was the city’s worst natural disaster, which put a large amount of the city under water. In response a flood wall was completed in 1948. In modern times Newport has shed its reputation of the past and is now known for family-friendly attractions like Newport Aquarium in the Newport on the Levee entertainment complex, carrying on Kentucky’s Bourbon legacy at New Riff Distilling and Pensive Distilling Co, and lively festivals like Goettafest.

Places to Visit in Newport

N ewport Aquarium - Pet a stingray, waddle with penguins, and walk across the first-in-the-world shark bridge, where you can walk across a rope bridge only inches above a tank full of sharks.
Newport On The Levee - Home to a variety of retail, dining, lodging, and entertainment options.
BB Riverboats - Features dining cruises, sightseeing cruises, kids themed cruises, holiday cruises, and specialty cruises aboard the Belle of Cincinnati or River Queen.
MegaCorp Pavilion - Features state-of-the-art lighting, acoustical systems, and an innovative reversible, movable stage and more than 110 events every year.
Purple People Bridge - Of the nine bridges crossing the Ohio River in the Cincinnati area, only one is purple and just for people.
American Legacy Tours - Before there was Las Vegas, there was Newport, Ky.--and that’s a history you want to learn more about.

A blue and yellow tropical fish swims in the coral reef exhibit at the Newport Aquarium. — Newport Aquarium

photo of a paddlewheel riverboat from bb riverboats in newport kentucky with the cincinnati oh skyline in the background — BB Riverboats

A group of men walk towards the camera dressed in stereotypical mob attire. — American Legacy Tours

Eat and Drink in Newport

Hofbräuhaus Newport - The first Hofbräuhaus outside of Munich and proudly continuing the German brewing tradition.
The Baker's Table - A delicious farm to table experience with a dynamic menu, local produce, and handcrafted pasta. Each month also brings a new 6 course tasting menu, wine dinner.
Yuca - This scratch kitchen invites you to take a "one hour vacation with a Latin twist". Open for breakfast and lunch with a range of Bloody Marys and a one of a kind Tequila Vault.
Bourbon House Pizza - Deep dish lovers rejoice! Here you can find authentic Chicago Style pizza, as well as standard crust, and a variety of delicious sides.
Wooden Cask Brewing Company/Beards and Bellies - Wooden Cask was founded in 2015 based on the owners' love of Scottish, Irish, and English beers. It boasts a robust and varied tap list. Beards and Bellies happily serves up slow smoked, southern BBQ perfection from inside the taproom to accompany your brews.
Tuba Baking - Tuba Baking serves traditional southern German food in a cozy space featuring a "Brezelgarden". Their hand made menu will delight those looking for authentic German fare, including their Swabian-style pretzels.
La Mexicana Restaurant - This unassuming storefront serves some of the best Mexican food around.

There are too many tasty options in Newport to name here--for more, check the listings below.

A grain dish from The Baker's Table — The Baker's Table

A deep dish, Chicago style pizza with fresh basil on top. — Bourbon House Pizza

A tray of baked pretzels from Tuba Baking — Tuba Baking Co.

The B-Line® in Newport

Begin a Bourbon adventure in Newport with The B-Line, Northern Kentucky's own bourbon experience. Grab your passport or digital guide and check out some of the following locations. Visit 2 distilleries, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars on The B-Line and get free swag!

New Riff Distilling - One of the original B-Line stops, New Riff has been distilling and creating a new riff on bourbon since 2014.
Pensive Distilling Co. - Housed in a former Prohibition speakeasy with a full kitchen, come for a tour, stay for dinner.
Prohibition Bourbon Bar at Newberry Bros. Coffee - Home to the largest collection of bourbon and rye whiskeys anywhere in the world. Enjoy a flight or hunt for a rare bottle in their bottle shop.
Jerry's Jug House - Enjoy cocktails with house-made syrups and good bourbon in the last remaining "jug house" in Newport.
Three Spirits Tavern - Local favorite, family owned spot just across the river from downtown Cincinnati, Three Spirits Tavern is rich with history and rumored to enjoy visits from the "spirit" of the original owner.
Purple Poulet - A southern bistro inspired by the cuisine of Charleston and New Orleans with a Kentucky flare. Voted the best fried chicken in the state of Kentucky.
Pompilio's - This award-winning, iconic restaurant has been serving traditional Italian fare for over 90 years.

A New Riff barrel sits on its side with the distillery stamp visible. A person stands next to the barrel to steady it. — New Riff Distilling

Pink Neon lettering spelling out Pappy Van Winkle Kentucky Bourbon" and a white sign that says Prohibition — Prohibition Bourbon Bar

A plate of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Out of focus in the foreground is a cocktail. — Purple Poulet

Notable Festivals

Glier's Goettafest - Two full weekends devoted to the Cincy Region favorite, goetta, along with live music, games, a 90' tall ferris wheel, and the world's only Glier's Goetta vending machine.
Oktoberfest Newport - A weekend full of beer, food, and fun! Featuring a variety of food vendors, a full carnival experience, and hearty German beers.
Italian Festival - Enjoy authentic dishes from local favorites, live music, and plenty of family fun while enjoying the views from the banks of the Ohio River.

Image is of the Gliers Goettafest Mascot who is dressed like a geotta tube. — Glier's Goettafest

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