Newport’s Riverfront Photo Guide
Newport on the Levee as seen from the Purple People Bridge.
A QUICK GUIDE TO GETTING SHOTS FROM AND ALONG NEWPORT’S BUSTLING RIVERFRONT.
It seems strange to start the Guides series off with a piece from the Kentucky side of things, but there are few better areas that allow you to capture the beauty of Cincinnati’s skyline up close. But the reasons for choosing this section of Northern Kentucky as the first installment go beyond just the view.
Newport, located directly southeast of downtown, is the smaller of the two main NKY river cities. It boasts one of the most popular riverfront attractions in Newport on the Levee, a multi use complex filled with restaurants and shopping flanked by the well-known Newport Aquarium. What makes this area unique though is the accessibility. With plenty of parking, clear walking paths, and connections to multiple bridges, it doubles as a prime location to set up for photography. And while there certainly are other areas that provide stunning views of downtown along the Ohio, this one also brings its own character with a plethora of signs, lights, and distinct architecture.
BEST HOURS
In my opinion, the best time of day to explore this section of Newport is in the evening, either around sunset or just after. Nighttime photography can be a little tricky at times, but I believe in this case it helps unlock the full potential of the picturesque skyline and the area around Newport on the Levee. If you go at this time during the week, you will likely encounter fewer people; the weekend, generally more people. Pretty standard.
It’s Important to note that there really isn’t a bad time to go, though.
PARKING
The most important thing. Parking in cities can be notoriously difficult and costly, and when you just want to go somewhere for some photos and don’t plan on staying very long, it gets flat out annoying. Luckily, they’ve got you covered here (literally and figuratively). The Aqua on the Levee and Newport on the Levee garages offer covered parking for free up to 1 hour, and $6 for 2-5 hours. Personally, I always opt for the Aqua garage given its location next to the Purple People Bridge and easy access to the Levee through an attached elevator. An hour is usually plenty of time, so I recommend setting a timer for around 50 minutes or so to be sure you make it back in time and avoid the fee. The garage is rarely busy so you shouldn't have any problem getting in or out. While I typically use the Washington Ave entrance, it does have another opening on the opposite side.
THE SPOTS
If you’re starting from the Aqua garage, I suggest walking out of the back entrance before you even head to the Levee. There is an interesting parking sign attached to the outside of the adjacent garage that always makes for a dramatic photo. From there, you can return to the garage and take the elevator. Don’t skip out on the area just outside the elevator doors either, as there are plenty of lights and signs, including the ones for Shiners. In fact, I would start by exploring the whole outside of the main building for interesting compositions, including the outdoor area in the center of the complex. Aside from the lights of the Levee, you can capture a nice photo of the skyline from the railing near the aquarium (and really from anywhere on the riverfront side of the building), but I recommend heading over to the Purple People Bridge to get a different perspective. From here, you’ll have a side profile view of downtown (with a heavy emphasis on the Great American Tower and Great American Ballpark) and Mount Adams, as well as a slightly skewed view of Newport on the Levee. As beautiful as downtown is, you might find yourself gravitating towards this visually stunning and immaculately lit building on the Kentucky side. The sign on the top is striking at night, and the upward facing lights that adorn the outside walls lend to a high contrast image. But don’t forget the bridge itself, as it makes for a great place for portraits and lifestyle photography. And while it is pretty well-traveled, you shouldn’t run into issues setting up the shots you want.
BONUS AREAS
Just down the street at the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers sits General James Taylor Park. I personally have yet to explore that area, but based on the location, it would likely provide a more straight-on view of the city.
While not directly in Newport, Thomas J Wiethorn Memorial Beach Park in the neighboring town of Dayton also offers a different perspective of the urban core of the Cincinnati area. Sitting upriver from the Levee, it offers a prominent view of the yellow Dan C Beard Bridge and Great American Tower, along with a few other buildings poking up over the edge of Mount Adams. It’s a sight you don’t see in your usual Cincinnati tourism photos but one that I think should be utilized more often. If you decide to go here, I would recommend that you have a zoom lens or one that covers a longer focal length given the park’s distance from downtown.
