Free & Cheap Things to Do in Covington & Newport

Iconic Landmarks

John A. Roebling's 1866 suspension bridge over the Ohio River was the world's longest when it opened — and the prototype he'd scale up into New York's Brooklyn Bridge two decades later. Its blue towers and pedestrian walkways link Covington to downtown Cincinnati, free to cross on foot for skyline views.

Address: Roebling Bridge, Covington, KY 41011

Tip: Park in Covington's Roebling Point district and walk across for the best Cincinnati skyline photos, especially at sunset. The bridge carries traffic too, so stick to the pedestrian lanes. Roebling Point Books & Coffee and riverfront restaurants sit right at the Kentucky foot of the bridge.

History & Architecture

Modeled on Notre-Dame in Paris, Covington's Gothic cathedral hides a jaw-dropping interior: more than 80 stained-glass windows from Munich, including one of the world's largest hand-painted church windows at 24 by 67 feet. Free to enter and self-tour, it's an unexpected architectural marvel just off the riverfront.

Address: 1140 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011

Tip: Open to visitors Monday–Friday 9am–3pm and around weekend Mass times; grab a free self-guided brochure at the north entrance. It's an active church, so visit respectfully and avoid Mass times unless attending. Group docent tours (10+) can be booked for a fee.

Shopping & Strolling

Covington's restored German-American neighborhood is a National Historic District of 19th-century buildings now packed with independent restaurants, bars, boutiques, and galleries. Free to wander, it centers on the Goose Girl Fountain and the 100-foot Carroll Chimes Bell Tower, and erupts into Maifest and Oktoberfest street parties each year.

Address: Main St, Covington, KY 41011

Tip: Park and explore the few walkable blocks on foot. Window-shopping, the fountain, and the bell tower with its animated glockenspiel show are free. Time a visit for Maifest in May or Oktoberfest in September for free live music, or come on a quieter weekday.

Parks & Nature

This 700-acre hilltop park is Covington's green crown, best known for the Devou Memorial Overlook — a free, sweeping panorama of the Cincinnati and Covington skylines across the Ohio River. Below the view are miles of hiking and mountain-bike trails, a lake, an amphitheater, and the Behringer-Crawford Museum.

Address: 1344 Audubon Rd, Covington, KY 41011

Tip: Drive up to the Devou Memorial Overlook (free parking, ADA accessible) for the famous skyline view — sunset is spectacular. Bring a picnic for the green space and swings. The park also has trails and a free summer concert series at the amphitheater.

History & Museums

Inside Devou Park, this regional museum traces Northern Kentucky's natural and cultural history — from Ice Age fossils and a saber-tooth cat to riverboats, railroads, and a beloved model train. Hands-on exhibits and a focus on Ohio River heritage make it an affordable, kid-friendly stop with frequent homeschool days.

Address: 1600 Montague Rd, Covington, KY 41011

Tip: SNAP/EBT cardholders pay $3, and teachers get in free. Wednesdays are Grandparents Days — a grandchild free with each paying grandparent. It's inside Devou Park, so pair it with the overlook. Closed Mondays; allow about an hour.

Iconic Landmarks

This bright-purple former railroad bridge is now the country's longest pedestrian-only river crossing — a half-mile span linking Newport's riverfront to downtown Cincinnati. Free to walk or bike, it delivers wide-open views of the Ohio River and both skylines, with Newport on the Levee waiting at the Kentucky end.

Address: 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071

Tip: Access it free from the Newport (Levee) side. Note: through June 8, 2026, the Cincinnati approach is closed for repairs, so you can walk out and back from Newport but not all the way across. Evenings light up both skylines. Free parking sits near the Levee.

Shopping & Strolling

Newport's riverfront entertainment district stacks shops, restaurants, a food hall, and the Newport Aquarium along the Ohio with skyline views and a lively plaza. Entry and strolling are free, with frequent free events, and it sits at the foot of the Purple People Bridge — an easy, walkable hub for a riverfront afternoon.

Address: 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071

Tip: Parking garages serve the Levee, with the first hour often free. Browsing the plaza, river views, and seasonal events cost nothing; the aquarium and eateries are the paid add-ons. It connects directly to the Purple People Bridge and the Newport riverwalk for a free walk.

History & Architecture

The second-largest historic district in Kentucky, Newport's East Row is a leafy grid of beautifully preserved Victorian and Queen Anne homes just blocks from the river. Free to wander, its mature trees, pocket parks, and ornate 19th-century architecture make for a quiet, pretty self-guided walk away from the crowds.

Address: E 3rd St, Newport, KY 41071

Tip: It's a residential neighborhood, so stroll or bike respectfully and admire from the sidewalks. A self-guided walking map is on the East Row Historic Foundation site. Combine it with the nearby riverfront and Purple People Bridge for a full free Newport morning.

History & Nature

Called the 'birthplace of American paleontology,' this free site 25 miles southwest preserves the salt-sulfur springs where Ice Age mammoths, mastodons, and giant ground sloths once mired. A museum displays their bones, a living bison herd roams the grounds, and 4.5 miles of trails loop past the historic bog.

Address: 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY 41091

Tip: Admission and the visitor center are free year-round; the museum keeps shorter winter hours. Walk the Bison Trace trail for a chance to see the live herd. It's about a 30-minute drive southwest of Covington — an easy free half-day for families and fossil fans.