Newport Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Newport showing signage
Famous for its riverfront entertainment and infamous for its mobster history, this Northern Kentucky destination is the original Sin City.

Newport, Kentucky, is an exciting city set on the Ohio River. Explore its lively waterfront, find cultural centers inside historic landmarks and cross a state border via a footbridge. Established in 1795, Newport wasn’t always a tourist-friendly destination. Retrace the paths of notorious gangsters who roamed the streets in the 1920s and 1930s and gave rise to the town’s Sin City nickname.

On the riverfront, Newport on the Levee is a one-stop amusement, dining and shopping complex. It has art galleries and retail outlets, fast-food joints, upscale restaurants, a movie theater, train rides and video arcades. Experience the thrill of being surrounded by sharks at Newport Aquarium.

Stroll along scenic Riverboat Row and board the USS Nightmare haunted steamboat. The row hosts summer events including June’s Italianfest, August’s Great Inland Seafood Festival and September’s Newport Oktoberfest.

The revitalized downtown buildings once housed gangster-run casinos and speakeasy bars. Enthusiastic guides lead tours of the popular haunts of racketeers. One of these, Thompson House, is the former home of the Thompson submachine gun inventor John T. Thompson. Today, enjoy the art gallery and performing arts venue inside this 1820s mansion.

The Southgate House Revival is a 19th-century church converted into a concert hall. Admire stately Victorian-era mansions in the East Row Historic District. While walking the downtown streets, listen for the daily midday chime of the huge World Peace Bell.

Another fun activity is walking across the Purple People Bridge. It spans the Ohio River to Cincinnati and connects with the Ohio River Trail. Follow the trail to major Cincinnati attractions such as the Great American Ballpark and U.S. Bank Arena. Return via the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge to Newport’s neighboring city of Covington and spend a sunny afternoon in Devou Park.

Fly to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and catch a bus or rent a car from there. As it is just a 5-minute walk from downtown to the riverfront, Newport is a great city to explore on foot.

Where to stay in Newport

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East Row Historic District

The restaurants and live music are just a few features travellers like about East Row Historic District. If you want to do some sightseeing nearby, Newport Aquarium and Great American Ball Park are a few top places to visit.

East Row Historic District
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Woodlawn

Though Woodlawn may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Newport Aquarium and Great American Ball Park.

Woodlawn
Aloft Newport On The Levee
Aloft Newport On The Levee
3 out of 5
201 E 3rd St, Newport, KY
The price is ₹10,719 per night from 27 May to 28 May
₹10,719
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Newport. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Great location. Bummer that you had to pay for parking. Worth it."

Reviewed on 21 May 2024

Aloft Newport On The Levee
Hampton Inn & Suites Newport/Cincinnati
Hampton Inn & Suites Newport/Cincinnati
2.5 out of 5
275 Columbia Street, Newport, KY
The price is ₹14,133 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
₹14,133
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Newport. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,130 reviews)
"Great room and immaculate bathroom!"

Reviewed on 19 May 2024

Hampton Inn & Suites Newport/Cincinnati
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Newport Cincinnati
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Newport Cincinnati
2.5 out of 5
420 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY
The price is ₹11,135 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹11,135
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Newport. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (395 reviews)
"My family spent the weekend celebrating my birthday. Location is walkable, shuttle stop in front, staff friendly My only complaints are the shower water took a while to get hot and the sink had a slow drain"

Reviewed on 20 May 2024

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Newport Cincinnati
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Woodburn Exchange
Woodburn Exchange
3.5 out of 5
2533 Woodburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Cincinnati. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Newport Aquarium and Great American ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4 reviews)
All you need
"Everything was great! My only negative was confusion about parking. Great decision to stay here"

Reviewed on 22 May 2024

Woodburn Exchange
Pickle Factory Hotel
Pickle Factory Hotel
2.5 out of 5
13 Tobacco Aly, Covington, KY
Stay at this apartment in Covington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and Netflix. Popular attractions Paycor Stadium and Great American Ball Park are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
"It’s a little hard to find but a great location to walk to restaurants in Covington. Clean and nicely decorated. Lacked suitcase stands so no living out of the suitcase but there is a dresser."

Reviewed on 21 May 2024

Pickle Factory Hotel
Baldwin Flats
Baldwin Flats
4 out of 5
220 E 4th St, Covington, KY
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Covington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Great American Ball Park and Newport Aquarium are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (35 reviews)
"Awesome space. Clean. Well managed and taken care of. Peaceful. Will definitely be returning!"

Reviewed on 19 May 2024

Baldwin Flats
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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