Exploring Kentucky’s Newport on the Levee

A long time ago, I lived along the Ohio River myself, so today’s guest post by Lisa, Casey, and Barrett Dog is near and dear to my heart.

Newport on the Levee is the most popular attraction in the Greater Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky area. Perfectly situated just across the river from Cincinnati’s dramatic skyline, the Levee features a year-round schedule of festivals, special events, live bands and a great selection of restaurant offerings.

/

Read on to discover Lisa, Casey, and Barrett Dog’s best guide of things to see and do when visiting Kentucky’s Newport on the Levee!

• Travel Tip: Planning a trip to Kentucky? Check out this guide to things to do in Louisville, Kentucky written by a local. During your visit, I highly recommend booking a walking food tour with Louisville Food Tours, one of the best tours in Louisville. 

 Lisa, Casey and Barrett Dog’s Bio: We are Lisa, Casey and Barrett Dog from Northern Kentucky!  We travel in various ways: short day trips, hotel stays and now in our RV (travel trailer) MakingMemoriesInStyle. Lisa is a substitute teacher who enjoys traveling, reading and anything related to Tennessee and water. Casey works as in the safety field and enjoys relaxing, taking vacations, traveling, watching the tv show Suits and playing with Barrett Dog. Barrett Dog is a Black Labrador and enjoys taking naps, playing outside, going for truck rides, hanging out with his dad and playing with his red bone.

For other travel stories please visit their website at MakingMemoriesInStyle and follow them at @MakingMemoriesInStyle.

Newport on the Levee

Newport on the Levee is located on Third Street in Newport, KY and its name comes from the levee that it is built on.  The Levee (this is what many people from the NKY/Cincinnati area call it) sits on the Ohio River and is directly across from Cincinnati, OH.  There is a parking garage, known as the “Aqua garage” attached so that after parking you may take the elevator or stairs up and be directly on the “River Walk Level.”  Parking near the Levee can be extremely difficult and this option provides you with shelter from inclement weather.  During the week, Monday – Thursday, the garage offers free parking if you arrive after 11 a.m. and depart before 2 p.m.

The views are simply amazing!  Down by the river’s edge, sitting on a bench or simply standing against a railing on the Levee you are able to watch the barges as they travel up and down the Ohio or catch a glimpse of the BB Riverboat as it goes out on a cruise.  Multiple bridges cross the river in the vicinity of the Levee so if watching vehicle traffic is your thing, then you can do that as well.

There is a bike and walking path with direct access across the Ohio River via walking the Purple People Bridge. Yes, the bridge is painted purple and LOTS of people walk across on a daily basis. In length it is a little over a half mile long and it is for pedestrians only.  You can even rent it out for special occasions.

Various locations of Newport on the Levee provide some of the greatest backdrops for your pictures if you are out for a leisurely day trip or a night out for dinner and drinks.

One of the many  attractions of the Levee, other than the gorgeous views, is Newport Aquarium. The side of the building facing the River is painted sea blue with a sand tiger shark that seems to be swimming with a sea turtle and various fish. A great photo opportunity if you should decide not to visit the Aquarium.

Also, located near the Aquarium entrance is a photo frame that says “Greetings from Newport on the Levee,” it’s fairly large in size so you could squeeze multiple people in for the photo-op.

There’s simply something for everyone at the Levee!  Avid book readers are able to feed their reading fix at Barnes & Noble, along with shopping for a quick gift for a child, your favorite hobby enthusiast or a housewarming gift.

If thirst or hunger should set in while you are there, you could visit the Barnes & Noble Cafe which offers Starbucks.  Should Starbucks not be your thing, you could visit Bar Louie, Brio Tuscan Grille, Brothers Bar & Grill, Cosmic Coffee, Cold Stone Creamery, Deweys Pizza, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, The Greek Burrito, The Doghouse (hotdogs and various other items), Tom + Chee (grilled cheese and tomato soup) or Mitchell’s Fish Market.

Unfortunately, this is not a fish market where fish are thrown, but you can take your picture at the fish statue located near the entrance.  This is an upscale restaurant that offers lunch and dinner with seating inside or out on the patio with views of the river and the Cincinnati Skyline.

If shopping is what you prefer do to while there the possibilities are unlimited.  Newport Aquarium has a gift shop for those “sea loving aquarium” folks on your list or you could visit Art on the Levee Gallery, Claires, Sports Depot, Garra, Candy Co Sweet Dreams or pick up a Newport on the Levee Gift Card.  And for those that like to play, visit Dart Rush, Gameworks, Newport Express or Hamsters Water Balls.  If you have time then catch a movie at AMC Newport 20 Theatres.  They have 20 enormous screens that take your movie experience to a new level.

Lastly, Newport on the Levee hosts events that are attended by not only folks from the Newport and Cincinnati area but by many from the Northern KY area, as well as outlying cities of Cincinnati.  In September, every Thursday is the Sundown Series where you are able to see talented country music artists.  The yearly tree lighting to kick off the holiday season takes place in November. In 2018, it is on November 20th.  Another widely popular event that closes the bridges and brings out hundreds of thousands of people is the Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks show that occurs during Riverfest.  This annual event has been occurring for over 40 years and it caps off a Labor Day celebration to help bring summer to a close.

So whatever type of niche you have, shopping, picture taking, dining out, walking or bike riding, Newport on the Levee in Newport, KY could just be the place for you.

Travels with Bibi LOVES this guest post! Newport on the Levee is a great destination to add to your must see list. Be sure to leave a comment below and let Lisa, Casey, and Barrett Dog know what you liked best or what inspires you the most!

/