Campbell: History, Nature and Unique Experiences

Campbell brings together history, nature, and active experiences. In Newport, historic districts and a unique underwater attraction invite you to explore. The parks offer a different focus: activities range from walking trails and wildlife watching to sports facilities and horseback riding trails. As you plan, you can consider which experiences you want to shape your vacation.

Newport: Aquarium and Historic Districts

Newport Aquarium is an underwater attraction in Newport, Kentucky. One of its distinctive attractions is the Shark Bridge: a rope bridge that passes just inches above a shark tank. The aquarium is located at Newport on the Levee, two minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Newport on the Levee offers year-round festivals, special events, and live bands, as well as restaurants, entertainment, and shopping. The specific event schedule may change.

Newport’s historic side is also diverse: Six historic districts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The East Row Historic District comprises 1,070 homes and is the second-largest historic district in Kentucky; every building in the district is listed in the National Register. Those interested in architecture and established neighborhoods will find a striking contrast here to the aquarium and the events at Newport on the Levee.

For travel planning, Newport is about a 25-minute drive from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The historic buildings, aquarium, and lively offerings at Newport on the Levee provide different focal points for a stay. If a particular event is central to your travel plans, check the current dates.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

Alexandria Community Park has more than three miles of paved walking paths and several nature trails. Its annual events include a fishing tournament, summer movie nights, Dog Day, and a Haunted Walk. The event lineup may change; check the dates in advance if you plan to attend one of these events.

The 72-acre Pendery Sports Park has eight baseball fields, an NBA-size basketball court, and six soccer fields. It also has a three-quarter-mile walking path. In contrast, Tower Park in Fort Thomas has 86.6 acres of woodland, along with hiking and biking trails, sports facilities, playgrounds, and recreational facilities. The park is also home to the Fort Thomas Museum, which tells the story of Fort Thomas’s founding and the community’s development. These places offer different options: paved paths and nature trails, organized sports facilities, or outdoor activities in a woodland setting.

Explore Nature and Choose the Focus of Your Vacation

The Campbell County Environmental Education Center is a year-round facility near A.J. Jolly Park in Alexandria. On-site features include aquariums, an observation beehive, and areas for bird and wildlife watching. Programs include bird identification, daytime and nighttime hikes, nature crafts, and tree identification; the program offerings may vary by date.

A.J. Jolly Park in Campbell County encompasses around 1,000 acres of land and water. AJ Jolly also offers about 20 miles of horseback riding trails. A.J. Jolly Golf Course is a scenic 18-hole course on the shore of the park’s lake. Nature watching, horseback riding, and golf offer different ways to enjoy the area.

If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Campbell, your preferred pace of vacation can help you choose where to stay: Would you like to focus on historic districts and the aquarium, or are you more interested in nature watching, walking trails, and outdoor activities?

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Newport, Wilder, Whitley County, Madison County, Cumberland County, Mason County, Calloway County, Christian County.

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