Sip and Stroll: Combining Bourbon Tasting with Outdoor Adventure in Northern Kentucky

May 14, 2025

Bourbon and chocolate. Bourbon and bacon. Bourbon and the Great Outdoors.

 

Bourbon is the ultimate pairing partner. And in Northern Kentucky, bourbon sipping and strolling, tasting and touring go hand in hand—especially when the neighborhoods explored are architectural beauties with lots of character and independently owned shops and restaurants, like in Covington and Newport, or countryside charmers surrounded by gorgeous scenery, like Florence.

 

Whether walking, shuttling, or ridesharing, these communities seamlessly blend bourbon adventuring and outdoor fun while also supporting safe and responsible exploration.


COVINGTON: A WALKABLE BOURBON HUB

 

Bourbon Experience: Stroll MainStrasse Village, a German-inspired, pedestrian-friendly, National Register of Historic Places neighborhood. Pop into Stoney’s Etc. toy shop, Hail Records & Oddities, and other unique shops, or take a snap of the Goose Girl Fountain, and relax at Goebel Park with its historic glockenspiel clock tower. Pop into B-Line® stop, the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, and let the staff guide you to your perfect cocktail, mixed with one of a selection of more than 800 bourbons. Sip inside or enjoy on the patio.

 

Alternatively, ride-share to Ludlow to experience one of NKY’s most original distilleries, Second Sight Spirits, with its Las Vegas show-inspired Swami still, crystal balls, and tours that include a tasting of the distillery’s Oak Eye Kentucky Bourbon, fine rums, moonshine, and fan-favorite hazelnut liqueur.

 

Outdoor Adventure: Walk the Roebling Suspension Bridge for sweeping views of the Ohio River unwinding between Cincinnati’s stunning skyline and Northern Kentucky’s church-steepled landscape. At night, when illuminated, the experience is magical. Play a round of disc golf at Devou Park, a 700-acre playground with one of the most photogenic views in the region at its iconic city overlook.

 

Follow the outdoor art on foot with walking tours in Covington’s Central Business District with its mid-1800s architecture to see murals, mosaics, statues, and sculptures, including Clive the Alien, a 50-foot green space invader hanging out—or over—the Midtown Parking Garage and keeping a watchful eye on the earthlings below.




NEWPORT: RIVERFRONT REVELRY

 

Bourbon Experience: Dip into Prohibition history with the Distillery Tour and Speakeasy Tasting at Pensive Distilling Company, or go for The Hits: A Guided Tasting Experience led by a distillery brand ambassador or another bourbon tour at New Riff. Explore the historic Newberry Bros. Coffee and Prohibition Bourbon Bar, named one of the best bourbon destinations in the nation by the Bourbon Review and located not far from B-Line® stop Pompilio’s. Opened in 1933, this iconic Italian restaurant was granted the first liquor license in Kentucky after the “Noble Experiment” failed.

 

Outdoor Adventure: Stroll the riverwalk at Newport on the Levee (open-container permitted), home of the Newport Aquarium, which recently debuted its latest (and completely mesmerizing) exhibit, “Jellies: Go With The Flow.” Nearby, the pedestrian-only Purple People Bridge is irresistible with its panoramic views of the cities on both sides of the shoreline.

 

A few blocks away in shopping mecca Bellevue, purchase a BED (Bellevue Entertainment District) cup and stroll from boutique to brewery to eatery during a First Friday event. These themed celebrations tie into the holidays (like a Christmas Walk & Holiday Night Market in December) or are wholly original creations, like a Fairfield Isle Luau.




FLORENCE: GATEWAY TO BOURBON

 

Bourbon Experience: Head to the country for a guided tasting or Grain to Glass Experience at Boone County Distilling Company, known for authentic hand-crafted Kentucky Bourbons “made by ghosts” and located on both The B-Line® and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.

 

Outdoor Adventure: Before or after visiting the distillery, stop by the Florence ‘Wich Doctor for a mini charcuterie grazing box and head to Florence Nature Park, a charming little park tucked into a neighborhood and features a paved StoryWalk® with pages of a children’s book posted along the loop trail and a menagerie of concrete animals.

 

Another great choice: Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Boone County. Hike the path to a covered pavilion to see the park’s bison herd. Visit the Megafauna Diorama Pit and explore the museum with its eight-foot-tall Harlan’s Ground Sloth and thoughtfully curated gift shop filled with jewelry, bath products, books, and more by Kentucky makers. The park also offers opportunities for picnicking and a round of mini-golf.




RESPONSIBLE BOURBON EXPLORATION

 

When pairing bourbon and outdoor activity, opt for walkable districts like Covington’s MainStrasse and Roebling Point, and in neighboring Newport on the Levee—all EDC (Entertainment Destination Center) zones allowing open containers. Newport’s next-door neighbor, Bellevue, is also a designated Bellevue Entertainment District (BED), where open container BED or “DORA” (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas) cups allow you to sip, shop, and stroll the avenue.

 

Three B-Line® shuttle services connect NKY’s distilleries, bourbon bars, and restaurants. Make arrangements for private, customized bourbon adventures through Kentucky Legacy Tours; craft your own bourbon adventure through Tour With Us; or catch the Cincy Brew Bus for tours originating at New Riff Distillery and visiting Ludlow’s Second Sight Spirits, Boone County Distilling, and Wooden Cask, a Newport bar with an extensive bourbon selection.

 

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning explorer, there’s always something new to sip and see—start planning your bourbon adventure in NKY today.

Come Find Bourbon

Breaking Barriers: Women Leading the Bourbon Industry in Bardstown

May 22, 2025
In 1818, Catherine Spears Carpenter Frye made bourbon history as the first person to write down the recipe for sour mash. A century later, Margie Samuels made her own historic contribution when, in the 1950s, she created the most iconic whiskey packaging in the industry with Maker’s Mark’s hand-dipped red wax seal. In 2016, Joyce and Autumn Netherly made headlines as Kentucky’s only mother/daughter bourbon distillery owners. As far back as the early 1800s, Kentucky women have been leaving their mark on the bourbon landscape. “The bourbon industry isn’t just for the boys,” said Stacy Prichard, vice president of distillery relations at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival , held every September on the grounds of Spalding Hall in Bardstown. “There are a lot of women in bourbon—many with chemical and engineering degrees. There are lots of women in leadership roles. Pretty much anything women want to do, they’re doing it.” 

Raise a Glass: The Top Bourbon Festivals in Covington, Frankfort, and Bardstown

May 8, 2025
Not only does Kentucky make 95 percent of the world’s bourbon, but the Bluegrass state wholeheartedly celebrates it too, with world-class festivals and events one can find only in a Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, Kentucky’s Bourbon Heart, and the Bourbon Capital of the World. BOURBON WEEK Kentucky’s annual salute to all things bourbon gets underway with bourbon-related experiences, events, products, and opportunities for some one-on-one time with bourbon’s Master Distillers—all in celebration of the state’s bourbon heritage. Here’s how the Come Find Bourbon destinations are kicking off festivities in 2025: Covington celebrates with a bourbon and baseball mashup: Kicking off on June 12, The B-Line ® teams up with the Florence Y’all’s for a “Bourbon, Baseball, and Big Rewards” promo in honor of National Bourbon Day in Northern Kentucky that lasts through June 30. Join the fun starting with a B-Line promo at the Y’all’s game on June 12, featuring a special B-Line bourbon cocktail at the Thomas More Stadium’s bar, as well as a limited custom-branded bourbon baseball giveaway. Celebrations continue along the B-Line, adding more opportunities to win a Family Four-Pack of Y’alls tickets and a Luxury Table Experience at a future Y’alls home game. Downtown Frankfort Bourbon Week - A Bluegrass Experience , June 13-20: This bourbon-themed week kicks off on Friday, June 13, with music by New Orleans blues band Jackson and the Janks. Sponsored by Bourbon on the Banks and House of Commons: Bourbon Library, events include bourbon tours and activities showcasing the craftsmanship, history, and culture behind America's native spirit; bourbon-inspired goods from local artisans—from handcrafted souvenirs to gourmet treats; a Signature Cocktail Celebration, featuring “The Frankfort,” a custom-crafted drink similar in spirit to the iconic Manhattan, and a cocktail stroll. Bardstown – National Bourbon Week ™, June 9-15: Presented by Buzick Construction, this community-wide celebration of the city and its ties to bourbon’s history, growth, and evolution brings together world-class distilleries, exclusive tastings, unique educational experiences, and Bardstown’s vibrant, historic downtown. Activities include culinary offerings, cocktails, classes, tastings, and special events planned by a number of Bardstown-area distilleries. New this year: The Mash Up, a special evening pairing Bourbon Capital Alliance’s nine partner distilleries with a local culinary partner. “As we kick off the second annual National Bourbon Week™, we’re proud to celebrate not only Nelson County’s deep-rooted bourbon heritage but also the growing economic impact this event brings to our community,” said Stacey Phelps, president of Visit Bardstown . “This weeklong celebration is a true toast to the spirit, craftsmanship, and community that make us so special.” 
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