Never run out of things to do in Newport (KY). Newport, Kentucky, is located on the border of Kentucky and Ohio, along the banks of the mighty Ohio River.
There are plenty of fun things to do in Newport, KY, as the city boasts a variety of fun activities for locals and tourists alike.
Being quite famous for its gambling community, Newport was tagged “Sin City” in the past.
A wide assortment of attractions, shops, and restaurants exist near the bustling metropolitan city of Cincinnati, Ohio.
You can find many more places directly across the waterway, using a vehicle or walking across the Purple People Bridge.
Newport has great food, refineries, theater, and the world’s largest swinging bell.
Regardless of your interests, the city always offers something for every adventure!
No matter what your interests may be, there is something for everyone. Here is a list of fun things to do in Newport, KY.
Fun Things To Do In Newport (KY)
1. Attend Glier’s Goettafest
One thing everyone agrees on is the fact that everyone needs food, and frankly, everyone likes food. That’s why visiting Glier’s Goettafest is a great idea.
Glier’s Goettafest in Newport, Kentucky, is a “festival of all things Goetta.”
It is the perfect place to visit in Newport, Kentucky.
Goetta is a German dish commonly contrasted with breakfast sausage, a mixture of flavors, oats, meat, and pork.
The celebration includes two weekends of innovative food, family games of goetta, and live entertainment.
Glier’s Goettafest highlights merchants offering more than 40 amazing Goetta things, such as the Goetta Saloon and Glier’s Goetta.
Glier’s Goettafest features a variety of family-friendly attractions, inflatables, and games, making it one of the best places to visit in Newport, KY.
2. Check Out Rotolo – Bowling, Bocce, and Eatery
In Italian, Rotolo means “roll” or is used as an action word to move something. So it’s no wonder that Rotolo is a bowling alley.
Rotolo is a high-end bowling alley with two fully functional bars and a 68-seat restaurant.
A 16-lane bowling alley highlights electronic scoring frames, and four lanes are reserved for private sessions.
Various exercises associated with Rotolo include Bocce Ball, Billiards, and Foosball. Everyone has something to do!
The center has plenty of space to relax and enjoy the fresh air.
Including this in your top things to do in Newport (KY) is not a bad idea.
The food is also Italian and offers something for everyone, from sharing plates and handmade luxury to delicious bread.
3. Newport Dog Park
Newport Dog Park is worth visiting if you travel with your furry friends.
This is an off-leash park, meaning your fur babies can roam around.
Originally located on Linden Avenue, the Newport Dog Park is now behind the Campbell County Library at 901 E. 6th Street.
The new one is walled and is twice the size of the previous off-leash park.
Other improvements include sidewalks, improved car access and dedicated parking spaces, hiking trails, and stunning landscaping.
Its benches are pet-friendly, and there is a separate area for smaller dogs.
The administrator has also installed water fountains and pipes to ensure your dogs can drink and cool off during the warmer days.
In case you forget your trash bags, they’ve got you covered!
Things To Do In Newport (KY) At Night
1. Get a Good Drink at New Riff Distillery
New Riff Distillery, founded by Ken Lewis in 2014, prides itself as one of the best, with this practice being an exemplary reality in Kentucky.
The distillery produces various bourbons, including malted rye, rye, and bourbon, as well as several unique recipes and Kentucky Wild Gin.
Built by a Kentucky spirit visionary and a group of corporate exiles, New Riff Distillery strives for an excellent reputation in Kentucky.
New Riff aspires to one day be seen as one of the many refineries of the world. So if you need a good drink, you can get it there.
Despite its ghost, the refinery also offers several tours open to guests, making it the perfect tourist attraction.
2. Visit The Levee
A visit to the Levee is an excellent idea if you are looking for the best things to do in Newport, KY. The Levee is an exciting place in Newport.
The Levee is the hub of action and one of Newport’s top city attractions, and there are many exciting things to do there.
Newport Shopping Square was opened in 2001 as an area for the city’s rejuvenation project. The building has a beautiful view.
Visitors will find privately-claimed concept stores on the first floor and high-profile brands throughout the mall.
Aside from the shops, the movie theater, bowling alley, and video arcade are great things to do in Newport (KY).
You’ll also see Bridgeview Box Park in the mall, an open-air traffic park. It is an exciting place to visit!
3. Grab a Meal at Brio Italian Grille
Brio Italian Grille is the perfect place for visitors to eat and relax with friends and family. The restaurant has very tasty food.
Brio Newport is a post-Tuscan restaurant serving bona fide Northern Italian cuisine, wine extravaganzas, and mixed drinks.
Their specialties include premium steaks, fish, specially made pasta, and flatbreads arranged in an authentic Italian wood-burning broiler.
Bringing the delicacies of a Tuscan country estate to Newport, our culinary expert-driven menu, stylish climate, and elite assistance will give you a dining experience like no other.
The restaurant also offers outdoor seating for those who don’t mind a bit of sunlight and fresh air.
There’s something for everyone at this place, as it’s also a great place to watch the game with friends while you eat.
Things To Do In Newport (KY) For Couples
1. Take a Ride On the Ohio River
Cruising the Ohio River on an exemplary paddle boat is considered one of the best activities in Newport, Kentucky.
The red and white pedalos are a sight to behold on the water – surprisingly, being on board is more pleasant.
Leaving Newport’s Riverboat Row, BB Riverboats take travelers on themed boat trips—from hearty dinner cruises to fabulous sightseeing tours.
BB Riverboats also set sail for unique opportunities – such as wine tastings, special casual breakfasts, and firecracker tours.
Whether looking for hearty activities in Newport or family fun in the city, a riverboat cruise is a good choice!
2. Try Out a Fancy Meal at Dixie Chili
Tasting the local cuisine is an exciting part of traveling to any new city – and there are plenty of private restaurants in Newport, Kentucky.
While we’ve previously revealed a few must-visit diners, a few nearby budget eateries deserve a look.
Dixie Chili on Monmouth Street has served Cincinnati-style stew in Newport, Kentucky, for over 75 years.
It is consistently ranked as arguably the best place to eat in Newport. But is it better than Gold Star or Skyline? You should try it and choose for yourself!
However, this place is excellent for those who love food and don’t mind chili. They also have excellent customer service.
If you want to have a good meal, then visit Dixie Chili. It has a family environment.
3. Make a Trip to Hofbrauhaus
The Hofbrauhaus Newport is a cafe in the famous area of Newport on the Levee.
It’s a great place for a family day out.
This stunning Newport restaurant provides an essential dining experience for all visitors and leaves a good impression throughout your stay.
The Hofbrauhaus has everything, from scrumptious American and German food to extraordinary lager to generally decorated rooms!
Hofbrauhaus Newport is planned after Munich’s unique Hofbräuhaus, which is hundreds of years old. It is an excellent location with some of the best things to do in Newport, KY.
Hofbrauhaus Newport, Kentucky, is the first Hofbrauhaus to be licensed by a state brewery as a franchisee.
The menu includes an American arcade and traditional German dishes; this place has something for everyone!
Things To Do In Newport (KY) For Kids
1. Let See Sea Creatures at Newport Aquarium
Found right across the waterway from clamoring Cincinnati, the Newport Aquarium brings every one of the miracles of the distant sea to your doorstep.
The aquarium is an ideal all-year fascination that the entire family can partake in together.
There are numerous intuitive exercises, including different touch pools where you and the kids can see stingrays, sharks, and tide-pool animals.
A couple of the shows you’ll get to see include the Shipwreck – Realm of the Eels, Stingray Hideaway, Gator Alley, and the Penguin Palooza.
An unmistakable feature of your visit will be the undeniably exhilarating bridge pathway over the giant shark tank.
If you’ve never been to the Newport Aquarium, it’s undoubtedly worth the visit as many exciting activities await visitors!
2. Let Them Play at Newport Racing and Gaming
Newport Racing and Gaming is a famous adult gaming and entertainment venue in downtown Newport.
The environment offers all the fun of a Vegas-style gambling club, with many different slot machines competing for your focus.
If you’re into horse racing adventure, you can get all the fervor you can handle when you bet on live horse racing in the Simulcast area.
In addition, there are many memorable racing games available.
The Game Center lives up to its name and caters to visitors looking for the best things to do in Newport, KY.
If you’re hungry, you can head to Smiley’s Bar and Grill for rewards before listening to some unrecorded musical performances.
If you are bored and need something interesting, a trip to Newport Racing and Gaming would be perfect.
3. Visit Sweet Tooth
Founded in 1972, Sweet Tooth is instantly recognized by every Newport local.
Located at 125 W 11th Street, its dessert recipes have been developed through generations of experience to provide you with a delicious chocolate treat at great value.
After its former owners announced their retirement, the dessert shop was purchased in 2020 by the owners of Pompilio Italian Restaurants to continue its legacy.
Sweet Tooth offers a variety of handmade chocolates, confections, and ice cream.
If you’re visiting in the summer, you can order ice balls with or without ice cream.
In autumn, you can try its best-selling caramel apple.
Indoor Activities To Do In Newport (KY) For Adults (Indoor Activities)
1. Check Out the USS Nightmare
Are you into scary places? Then, the USS Nightmare is a great place for a terrifying experience! It’s best to consider adding to your list of fun things to do in Newport, KY.
For a unique evening in the town, fans of mystery and gloom can step aboard the USS Nightmare for a spooky visit like no other.
You may not make it to the far end of the tour, as many previous guests have run away in utter horror at what lies ahead.
USS Nightmare tells the haunting story of the fantastic Mitchell Massacre aboard the William S. Mitchell, a remarkable dredger.
You can hope to experience claustrophobic, dimly lit halls, fantastical props, and many costumed entertainers trying to scare you.
This place is excellent for thrill seekers and those who love a good scare once in a while to get their hearts racing. Daredevils will love this place.
2. Catch a Show at the Falcon Theatre
A trip to Newport, Kentucky, would not be complete without a visit to the Falcon Theatre, as it is one of the liveliest places in Newport.
The Falcon Theater seems more prominent in the Cincinnati region, boasting that it is “not like any other theater” in the area.
The Falcon Theater has impeccable performances and friendly staff who invite patrons to see a show at every opportunity.
The theater organization spares no effort to make you feel welcome when you walk through the entrances of the Falcon Theatre.
Today, the theater is located in the historically significant area of Newport and was founded by Ted Weil and Dave Radtke in 1989.
There are many fun things to do and many places to visit in Newport, KY, but your trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Falcon Theater!
3. Spend Time at Chart House
Located on the banks of the Ohio River, the Chart House provides stunning views of the Cincinnati skyline and water.
This Newport, Kentucky, restaurant has long been a favorite among neighborhood residents and diners for its fantastic cuisine and ambiance.
Chart House has strived to offer the optimal dining experience since 1961 and has evolved significantly.
Chart House has over twenty grandstands, waterfront, and memorial areas across the country, making it a destination for families with children.
Gourmet specialists adapt the menu dishes to their nearby food and present a touch of the extraordinary.
The Chart House is a great place to visit if you’re in Newport, Kentucky, and it was an exciting experience.
Romantic Things To Do In Newport (KY)
1. Try an Italian Meal at the Pompilio’s
The restaurant formerly known as Pompilio’s was located inland in 1933 on the side of Washington Avenue and Sixth Street in Newport’s East Row District.
Pompilio’s has served the city and surrounding area for over eighty years. It will undoubtedly stand the test of time and kitchen integrity.
The neighboring restaurant serves valid Italian cuisine and highly appreciates sauces, soups, and traditional dishes made in a home environment.
Pompilio’s offers delicious dishes like Italian wiener, meatballs, ravioli, and lasagna, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Aside from the Italian dishes on the menu, Pompilio’s offers conventional American dishes and a youth menu.
Undoubtedly, the freshest available fixings are used to produce an assortment of dishes along with unique recipes.
2. Grab a Burger at Mad Mike’s Burgers
Who doesn’t like a good snack once in a while? If you are looking for a nice place to grab a delicious snack, Mad Mike’s Burgers is the place to be.
Mad Mike grills huge gourmet burgers at a low price. Don’t forget to order fries and sit back while you enjoy your snack.
You can choose a unique flavor combination like the Rockefeller or pile your burger with your favorite toppings.
There is much more to appreciate at Mad Mike’s than the delicious tasting snacks, as the restaurant has beautiful decor.
The restaurant also has friendly staff, making it a great place to visit again and again. This place turns out to be the best.
If you’re still thinking about what to do in Newport, KY, why not visit Mad Mike’s Burgers and grab a burger while you think?
3. Attend a Community Event
Looking for free things to do in Newport, KY? Look no further than the events calendar.
Visitors and locals can enjoy free entertainment on the Purple People Bridge and along the Newport Festival Park waterfront.
One of the best times to visit Newport, Kentucky, is during the summer festival! The city’s event calendar includes fun summer Newport, KY outdoor festivals.
The best events in Newport are the annual Gliers Goetta Festival, Italianfest, Riverfest, and Oktoberfest.
Free Things To Do In Newport (KY)
1. Visit the World Peace Bell
The World Peace Bell in Newport, Kentucky, holds the title of the largest free-swinging carillon on the planet.
A twelve-foot by twelve-foot bell tips the scale at 66 thousand pounds, weighing 16,512 pounds.
The World Peace Bell tolls regularly in the early afternoon, sounding a deep and powerful note as a picture of harmony and opportunity.
For a small fee, guests can have a guided visit between 10:00 am and 4:00 am, Monday through Friday.
Viewing the World Peace Bell is considered a fantastic sight-seeing adventure, and what’s better is that it’s a family-friendly environment.
You can also take great pictures around the monument as a souvenir and continue to the next exciting place on your travel list.
2. Go On Newport Gangster Tour
If you’re interested in the city’s mobster past, join the Newport Gangster Tour!
After a presentation and brief historical illustration of Newport’s criminal past, a local expert will take members on the roads of Newport to see where the most famous events took place.
Between the 1930s and 1960s, northern Kentucky was the mecca of gambling in the United States. So you’d be surprised how much you learn from the tour.
Celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Duke Ellington frequented the city. Tourism boosted the city’s economy.
The informative tour makes for a good scary story to tell your friends around a campfire in the woods.
The Newport Gangster Tour offers a unique experience that proves exciting and worthwhile.
3. Worship at Southgate House Revival
Attending a live melodic presentation around the evening sounds fun, and The Southgate Revival House is the place to make it happen!
Housed in an old block church from 1866, The Southgate House Revival opened in 2012 with three exceptional scenes.
Assuming there aren’t any shows during your visit to Newport, KY, you can check out the Falcon Theater.
There is so much to look forward to at Southgate Revival House, as their shows include a variety of musical acts with a global twist.
If you’re into music, you’ll love this place, as the many beautiful performances at Southgate Revival House will inspire you.
Cheap Things To Do In Newport (KY)
1. Check Out York Street Cafe
Characterized by knick-knacks and comfortable furnishings, York Street Cafe combines art exhibitions, salons, and coffee shops.
The venue offers a beautiful place for loved ones to gather in Newport for feasting, crafting, and relaxation.
Offering outdoor and indoor dining, the bistro’s menu includes a wide range of options made with premium ingredients.
Starters include smoked salmon and hummus, while entrees include dishes like dirty jalapeno cornmeal with shrimp.
York Street Cafe is also privately known for its delicacies to keep you occupied when the main course arrives.
2. Take a Walk Along Purple People Bridge
The Newport Southbank Bridge, also known in Newport as the Purple People Bridge, spans roughly 2,670 feet over the Ohio River.
The bridge connects downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, to the city of Newport, Kentucky, and bi-state trails along the waterway.
The extension provides convenient access to downtown Cincinnati and the Newport area on the Newport Levee.
In 2006, changes were made to allow individuals to cross Newport Southbank Bridge along its superstructure with appropriate safety equipment.
The bridge offers a comprehensive view of the surroundings and can be a great place to visit and clear your mind from daily stress.
If you like pictures, Purple People’s Bridge is also a great place to take a good picture with friends and family members.
3. Check Out Wooden Cask Brewing Company
The Wooden Cask Brewing Company is a famous specialty distillery that specialty lager fans in Newport have recognized since opening in 2015.
The distillery has two locations to sample their specific blends – the York Street Tap Room or the Wooden Cask in Newport on the Levee.
These two areas offer an incredible selection of brilliant specialty lagers, wines, and true Kentucky bourbons.
The York Street area has a huge outdoor terrace and a great barbecue restaurant called Beards and Bellies, which presents the best meat around.
Wooden Cask Brewing Company would be well worth a visit if you are in or around Newport.
There are many things to do in Newport, KY, and they wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Wooden Cask Brewing Company.
Cool Places To Visit In Newport (KY)
1. Newport Riverwalk
The Newport Riverwalk is an elevated trail and bike path providing extraordinary views of the Ohio, Licking Rivers and the Cincinnati region.
The Newport Riverwalk is the perfect place to stroll and see the Cincinnati skyline and the scaffolding that stretches from the Ohio River.
The Newport Riverwalk is part of an expanded trail called the Riverfront Commons Trail. It connects with several communities.
This place is great for those looking for an outdoor experience with friends, as all you have to do is bask in nature surrounded by beautiful trees.
Your list of things to do in Newport (KY) wouldn’t be complete without an unforgettable outdoor adventure and the Riverwalk delivers.
2. The Footlighters Inc.
Footlighters Inc. is a non-profit stage for local theater shows in the riverside city of Newport, Kentucky.
Footlighters Inc. was founded by a small group of local theater volunteers in 1963 and has become a tourist attraction.
Aiming to bring theater opportunities to Cincinnati’s west side, the theater organization hosts six major stage theater productions each season nearby.
These creations are performed within the Stained Glass Theatre; before that, a remarkable church building from 1882 was transformed into a remarkable presentation space.
Shows range from clown comedies to expressive shows, blockbuster movies, big-cast musicals, and more.
This place should be on your list of the best things to do in Newport (KY) if you’re looking for fun. It’s a great location!
3. General James Taylor Park
General James Taylor Park is a two-level park located at the western end of Newport’s Riverboat Row.
This historic park was once the Newport Barracks military facility that welcomed prominent figures such as President William Henry Harrison, President Zachary Taylor, and General William Tecumseh Sherman.
This former military station supplied men and materials during the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the westward expansion of the US.
Newport Barracks served as a vital supply route between the East Coast and the emerging Western frontier during the Manifest Destiny era.
Today, the park offers a variety of amenities and beautiful scenery for a relaxing picnic.
These include a shelter with picnic tables and grills, a historic landmark, a bicentennial reading wall, a fishing spot, a paved parking lot, and a spectacular view of the Cincinnati skyline.
The park also has jogging trails and a playground for active children.
Conclusion
Get away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world in Newport’s quaint city life.
With its modest but unique attractions, your options are endless, as are the experiences that lie ahead.
