Newport (Kentucky)

By plane

There are three airports close to Newport:

• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River.
• Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
• Lexington (Blue Grass Airport) (LEX)

By car

Newport is served directly by Interstate 471, which can be reached by Interstates 71 (from Columbus and Louisville), 75 (from Dayton and Lexington), US 50 (Columbia Parkway from the eastern suburbs of Cincinnati) and 275 (the circle beltway).
One of the most beautiful panoramic views in the country occurs when driving northbound on Interstate 71/75 (the interstate routes share the same highway in part of Northern Kentucky) traveling into downtown Cincinnati, just before the Brent Spence Bridge. If you go this way get off in Covington at 4th street and cross over the Licking River to Newport where 4th St joins 5th St.

By foot

The Purple People Bridge (officially the "Newport Southbank Bridge"), formerly a road and rail bridge, now a pedestrian and bicycle only bridge, is a good way to get across from Downtown Cincinnati, particularly if you can't find a parking spot in Newport and want to park in one of the less traveled parts of the Cincinnati riverfront (though with a revitalization of Cincinnati's downtown and riverfront this is getting more and more difficult). The Bridge is nicely landscaped and could make a pleasant walk on a warm evening. Its also open to cyclists.

By bicycle

RedBike, Cincinnati's bike share program, also has some stations in Newport most notably right by Newport on the Levee so you can quickly ride your bike straight from Downtown Cincinnati or Over the Rhine to Newport in minutes via The Purple People Bridge. Sadly, its not as easy to get from nearby Covington as the bridges over the licking river are quite high and could be difficult to ride a bike over.

By bus

• TANK runs buses all over Northern Kentucky. Check website for routes and times.

• The Southbank Shuttle which is provided by TANK provides regular bus service from Downtown Cincinnati to the Covington and Newport Riverfronts. For more information on times and stops check the Southbank Shuttle website here.

Megabus

address: 4th Street at Race St

Megabus is a budget bus company offering service to Cincinnati from Chicago, Indianapolis, and Columbus. The Cincinnati stop is close enough to Newport that it shouldn't be hard to get down by public transportation or taxi. Fares start at $1.

By car

Newport is on a grid, so getting around by car is relatively easy. Keep in mind that the street numbers/addresses get larger as you are going south instead of north. Monmouth Street is the main commercial district and the area around Newport on the Levee its main Entertainment district.
Parking can be difficult. The Levee has a parking garage, but on weekends it can be full. It used to be free to park on the riverfront, but the restaurants in the boats on the river banded together to jack up prices to rates way above what you'd pay to park in the Levee garage, expect to pay around $6 to park there.
Finally you could try parking on the narrow city streets, but keep your eye out for any parking restrictions such as street cleaning.

By foot

Newport is very walkable. Most everything you'll need is within walking distance as the city is relatively small and compact. The pedestrian-only Newport Southbank Bridge (popularly known as the "Purple People Bridge") connects the Newport on the Levee mall with Downtown Cincinnati.

By bus

• Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK), . Provides bus service in Northern Kentucky and has several routes that crosses the Ohio into Cincinnati.

• TANK Sales Office; Mercantile Building; 120 East 4th Street, Cincinnati, OH; Hours: M-F 6:30AM–6PM.

• Newport Aquarium

  phone: +1 859-261-7444
  address: One Aquarium Way
  An Aquarium that has a unique design, spectators are in a "cage" which is a glass surrounded tunnel, completely surrounded by large underwater exhibits.

• World Peace Bell

  address: 4th & York St
  One of largest bells in the world, this bell was made to be part of a never built Millennium Monument that would stand right next to where its at now.

• East Row Historic Districtlarge walkable historic district with well preserved collection of 19th century Victorian homes

• General James Taylor Parkpark at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers offers closeup views of the legendary Cincinnati, Ohio skyline. Site of the former Newport Barracks, a military instillation from 1803-1894.

Newport previously had the reputation of being where to go to find strippers, due to revitalization, most of these places have closed down. In its place is a rich nightlife, and many family-oriented destinations and events, though if you look hard enough there still are a few gentlemen's clubs here and there.

• Kentucky Symphony Orchestra

  phone: +1 859-431-6216
  While the KSO has its offices in Newport the KSO performs all over Kentucky so be sure to call or fax the KSO is you're interested in their schedule.

• Thompson House

  phone: +1 859-431-2201
  address: 24 E 3rd St
  4-level former mansion converted to rock 'n' roll venue. This nearly 200 year old building is also known for being the birthplace of Brig. Gen. John Tariaferro Thompson, the inventor of the "Tommy Gun". Due to a family dispute, this place has changed ownership for better or worse depending on your tastes in music.

• Riverside RollergirlsAll-girl flat-track roller derby action in Newport.

• Newport Gangster Tour

  phone: +1 859-951-8560
  address: 56 E Fifth St
  A look at Newport's history of vice. A tour about gangs, gambling and girls and the venues that once held all of them.

• BB Riverboat Cruises

  phone: +1 859-261-8500
  address: 101 Riverboat Row
  Series of riverboat tours offered on an old steamboat, the Belle of Cincinnati. You can take either a normal 1 hour cruise seeing both Downtown Cincinnati and the old Riverfront cities of Northern Kentucky or have lunch or dinner on board. Also available are cruises for special events, including a very expensive cruise during the Labor Day fireworks at Riverfest which fills up early.

• Southgate House Revival

  phone: +1 859-431-2201
  address: 111 E 6th St
  The Southgate House is an excellent venue for seeing Indie rock and roll acts. Kicked out of their old venue (now known as the Thompson House) the owners managed to secure an old church building to "revive" their locally famous venue.

• Arcade Legacy

  address: 1765 Monmouth St
  An arcade with over 20 consoles and over 50 arcade machines.

• Newport on the Levee1 Levee Way; The Levee is a collection of stores, restaurants, an aquarium, and movie theater.

Budget

• Dixie Chili

  phone: +1 859-291-5337
  address: 733 Monmouth St
  Cincinnati-style chili served a bit spicier than most varieties of the regional specialty. Also notable for offering a "6-way" chili (see here for an explanation of "ways"), which adds chopped garlic to a "5-way". Locations also in Covington and Erlanger.

• La Mexicana Restaurant

  phone: +1 859-581-0700
  address: 642 Monmouth St
  Probably the best authentic Mexican taqueria in the Cincinnati area. This is the real deal, and if you aren't familiar with real Mexican street food, make sure to get the horchata (rice milk) on a hot day nothing beats it.
• Sis's Family Affair: Home cooking with a popular steak night on Thursday. Live music several times a week.

Mid-range

• Pompilio's

  phone: +1 859-581-3065
  address: 6th Street and Washington Ave
  Pompilio's is a good Italian restaurant. The restaurant is famous for playing host to the scene in Rain Man, where Dustin Hoffman knows how many toothpicks fell onto the ground.

• Brio Tuscan Grille

  phone: +1 859-431-0900
  address: One Levee Way
  Italian restaurant
• Sweet Tooth Candies: Homemade candies and ice cream.

• Newport Pizza Co

  address: 601 Monmouth St
  Locally owned pizzaria, notable for having pizza with Cincinnati Chili on it.

Splurge

• Smoothie King

  phone: +1 859-291-8990
  address: 1 Levee Way, Suite 2119

• Hofbräuhaus

  phone: +1 859-491-7200
  address: 3rd and Saratoga
  Originating in Munich, Germany, this is the first Hofbräuhaus in the United States which makes sense when you realize that Cincinnati is Munich's sister city.
• Huddle's: Sports bar with a diverse crowd and plenty of regulars

• Crazy Fox Saloon

  phone: +1 859-261-2143
  address: 901 Washington St
  Laid back, friendly neighborhood bar. It is gay-friendly and doesn't allow any discrimination. Great jukebox, cheap drinks, great people.

• Beer Sellar

  address: 301 Riverboat Row
  Floating bar on a barge with a spectacular view of Downtown Cincinnati. Huge variety of beers on tap. Has kind of a post-college fratty atmosphere with a larger selection of drinks than places like that often have.

• Wooden Cask Brewery

  phone: +1 859 261-2172
  address: 629 York St
  Cozy brewery with a decent beer selection and on site restaurant, specializing in small batch brews.

Coffee

• Carabello Coffee

  address: 107 E 9th St
  Cafe and roaster that offers excellent coffee they also have pour over style brewing by request. Their mission is to be an ethical company that not only buys their coffee from ethical sources but also gives back to communities where it was grown. Free Wifi as well.

• Travelodge Newport Riverfront

  phone: +1 859-291-4434
  address: 222 York St

• Comfort Suites

• Hampton Inn

  phone: +1-859-415-0678
  address: 275 Columbia St
  Includes Wi-Fi, Breakfast, and indoor pool.

• Aloft Newport on the Levee

  phone: +1-859-916-5306
  address: 201 E 3rd St

• Campbell County Library: Newport Branch

  phone: +1-859-572-5035
  address: 901 E 6th St

• Covington is also a Kentucky-based satellite of Cincinnati.
• Cincinnati is the largest city in the region.