Covington’s urban core spans from the Ohio River south to 12th St./Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and from the Licking River westward to I-71/75 and the Brent Spence Bridge, and has many gems for the urban explorer. The best way to experience downtown is to just get out and start walking around. You are bound to run into something interesting or enjoyable.
Things to Do
Dining
Covington’s most popular destination for visitors, Mainstrasse Village, is a thriving entertainment and dining district. Most of the area's local restaurants, boutique shops, and galleries are located in quaint, historic buildings. The neighborhood is characterized by its 6th Street promenade and Goose Girl Fountain that often hosts festivals and other events for both children and adults. Learn more about Mainstrasse.
Other popular locations for dining options are Roebling Point, located at the foot of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, and the Madison Ave. corridor, extending from the Riverfront to Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Find restaurants in this area.
Events
Renaissance Covington is a nonprofit organization created for the purpose of revitalizing downtown Covington. This organization brings many exciting and enjoyable events to Covington’s downtown, including a Farmer’s market, held from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. every Saturday from May through October.
For a listing of activities and events, visit the City's Events Calendar.
To learn more about Renaissance Covington contact 859.261.7111 or click here.
Things to See
Arts & Culture
Downtown Covington features numerous murals by both local and internationally-renowned artists.
The Roebling Murals at the Covington Waterfront are a series of 18 panels depicting the history of Covington from 800 BC to the present day, painted on the flood wall along the Ohio River and visible from the Roebling Bridge. The murals were painted by Lafayette, LA-based artist Robert Dafford, working with a team of assistants. Learn more about the panels, the artist, and the history of the project.
The parking lot located at West 7th St. and Washington Ave. is home to the large mural, "Love the Cov" by BLDG. Additionally, ArtWorks is responsible for three other murals in downtown Covington, details of which can be found here.
In recent years the city has been visited by internationally-recognized artists like Vhils, The London Police, and Faile. The London Police have visited Covington twice, creating pieces that can be viewed the buildings located at 521 Madison Ave. and 406 Scott Blvd.
The Riverwalk Statues are seven, life-like bronze statues of historical figures located along Riverside Drive. The statues feature Chief Little Turtle, a Miami chief who lead a confederacy of Native Americans against US forces in the 1790s; Simon Kenton was an early explorer; John James Audubon, who spent time drawing and painting; James Bradley, a slave earned enough money to purchase his freedom and took part in the Lane Seminary debates on slavery; Daniel Carter Beard, who founded the Boy Scouts in 1910; Captain Mary B. Greene, one of the few women to become a licensed river pilot and boat master; and John A. Roebling, best known as the architect of the Brooklyn Bridge who also designed the Roebling Suspension Bridge.
History
Covington has the second highest number of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Kentucky. There's no better place to view some of the best examples of these historic buildings then in the Licking Riverside Historic District. Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers, the neighborhood features outstanding nineteenth century architecture and scenic river and city views. It was named one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2013 by the American Planning Association (APA).
Several structures in the Downtown Commercial District are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Roebling Bridge, Trinity Episcopal Church, and the Odd Fellows Building.
Click here for a map of National Register Historic Districts and Landmarks in Covington.
Getting Around
Buses
The Southbank Shuttle Trolley, operated by TANK, travels between the riverfront cities of Newport, Covington and downtown Cincinnati, making travel between entertainment venues, sports arenas, shopping, dining, and cultural destinations easy. Signs with a detailed map mark each trolley stop. Trolleys stop at each stop every 15 minutes during the posted service hours and costs $1 per ride. Get more details on hours of operation and route stops.
Bikes
Downtown Covington has six Red Bike stations. Red Bike's bike-sharing program allows you to rent bikes from any of their bike-sharing locations across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Learn more about how Red Bike works and bike share locations.
Parking
For information on metered parking, surface parking lots, and parking garages in downtown Covington, use the map below.
VIEW LARGER MAP
Partner Tourism Agencies
If you are planning a trip to Covington, Northern Kentucky or the Greater Cincinnati region, the following regional tourism agencies that can provide more information on what this region has to offer: