Kentucky’s top tours showcase both history and flavor. The excellent Cincinnati History & Sightseeing Bus Tour covers key landmarks efficiently, while sweet-toothed travelers will appreciate the hands-on Rebecca Ruth Chocolate Tour & Museum. For a grittier experience, the Newport Sin City Mobster Tour and Newport Gangster Tour bring 1920s criminal history to life with colorful stories and authentic locations. I’m especially fond of the Roebling Point Food and Culture Tour in Covington – it combines local cuisine with architectural gems. Let’s explore these standout Kentucky tours in detail.
Key Points
- The Cincinnati History & Sightseeing Bus Tour offers a multimedia experience with over 1,000 historic photos and videos, lasting approximately 2 hours.
- The Rebecca Ruth Chocolate Tour & Museum in Frankfort provides a 25-30 minute tour focused on chocolate tasting and production for up to 15 participants.
- The Newport Sin City Mobster Tour explores Prohibition-era mobsters and bootlegging operations, including a lunch stop and historical booklet, lasting 2 hours.
- The Newport Gangster Tour is a 90-minute guided tour through mob history, with a 4.9 overall rating and 95% traveler recommendation.
- The Roebling Point Food and Culture Tour in Covington offers a gourmet walking experience with tastings of Irish specialties, mac and cheese, smoked chicken wings, and craft beer.
Cincinnati History & Sightseeing Bus Tour
The Cincinnati History & Sightseeing Bus Tour offers visitors a comprehensive exploration of the city’s rich past and iconic landmarks. With a 95% traveler recommendation, this tour provides a multimedia experience featuring over 1,000 historic photos and videos, complemented by engaging storytelling from knowledgeable guides.
Highlights include Fountain Square, Paul Brown Stadium, Great American Ball Park, and Findlay Market, showcased on a comfortable, air-conditioned bus with a maximum of 25 travelers.
The tour departs from Velocity Bowling Newport, with pickup on 3rd Street, and lasts approximately 2 hours. Travelers can choose from morning or afternoon tour times, and the €47.99 per person price varies by group size, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible and children under 6 aren’t allowed, most travelers can participate, with the tour located near public transportation. Feedback from past guests praises the professionalism and knowledge of the guides, while suggesting improvements to architectural visibility and video content.
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Experience Rebecca Ruth Chocolate Tour & Museum
One of the top attractions in Frankfort, Kentucky is the Rebecca Ruth Chocolate Tour & Museum. The 25-30 minute tour allows visitors to experience chocolate tasting and production at this local chocolate maker. Groups are limited to 15 participants, providing an intimate experience.
Located downtown at 116 E 2nd St, the tour starts and ends at the candy counter where guests show their tickets. Tours run Monday through Thursday, with no tours on Fridays or Saturdays.
The experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible, though those with peanut allergies should avoid it.
Tickets start at $10 per person, with a lowest price guarantee. Flexible booking allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
With 43 reviews and a 4.4 rating, the tour receives praise for the quality of chocolate, though some suggest skipping it for a quicker purchase experience.
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Newport Sin City Mobster Tour
Situated just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Newport, Kentucky, once earned the infamous moniker of “Sin City” due to its thriving underground criminal activities during Prohibition.
The Newport Sin City Mobster Tour offers visitors a chance to explore this captivating history. Priced at $35 per person, the 2-hour tour departs from the Wooden Cask Brewing Company and is led by knowledgeable guides, particularly praised for their engaging storytelling and patience in answering questions.
Travelers will explore the city in an air-conditioned vehicle, learning about the prohibition-era mobsters who once ran bootlegging operations and other illicit businesses.
The tour includes a lunch stop and bottled water, as well as a booklet with historical photos and postcards to enhance the experience.
While not wheelchair accessible, the tour is suitable for all ages and has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with 93% of participants recommending the experience.
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Newport Gangster Tour
Explore Newport, Kentucky’s notorious past on the Newport Gangster Tour. This 90-minute guided experience takes visitors through the streets and historical buildings associated with the town’s mob history.
With a 4.9 overall rating, the tour is highly recommended by 95% of travelers. Knowledgeable guides share colorful stories of Newport’s transition from a predecessor to Las Vegas, known for its modern gaming industry. Guests will gain insight into the town’s significance in the development of the gambling scene.
The private tour allows for an intimate experience, catering to accessibility needs such as wheelchair access and service animals. Priced at €28.40 per person, the tour includes alcoholic beverages and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Reviewers praise the guides’ storytelling abilities and enthusiasm, though some note the need for more shaded areas during hot weather. The Newport Gangster Tour provides an engaging way to learn about the local community’s captivating history and secrets.
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Roebling Point Food and Culture Tour in Covington KY
Travelers seeking a delightful immersion into Covington, Kentucky’s vibrant culture and culinary scene can embark on the Roebling Point Food and Culture Tour. This gourmet walking tour explores the city’s history and offers tastings of classic Irish specialties, mac and cheese, smoked chicken wings, craft beer, fresh salad, and dessert.
Starting at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, the small group tour (maximum 12 travelers) visits the original Market Square, the Covington Police Memorial, and the iconic Roebling Suspension Bridge, taking in murals depicting the city’s past.
Highlights include sampling macaroni and cheese at Keystone Grill, enjoying smoked chicken wings and local craft beer at Smoke Justis, and indulging in seasonal bread pudding at Blinkers Tavern.
With 100% positive reviews from past travelers, this tour provides an engaging and flavorful experience. Though not wheelchair accessible, the tour is stroller-friendly, offering a vegetarian meal option.
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Haunted Tour In Newport KY
What better way to experience the spooky side of Newport, Kentucky than on a guided haunted tour? With experienced guides, visitors can explore the city’s dark history, hearing tales of murder, death, and tragedy.
The tour visits infamous sites like the Newport Syndicate, Thompson House, Gangsters Dueling Piano Bar, and the notoriously haunted Bobby Mackey’s Music World.
The 90-minute tour is accessible for all, with a maximum of 24 travelers and accommodations for strollers, wheelchairs, and service animals.
Along the way, guests will stop at landmarks like the World Peace Bell and Campbell County Circuit Court, learning about unsolved crimes and local history. The tour begins and ends at the Bourbon House Pizza, providing a convenient meeting point.
Priced from $29 per person, this haunted tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
With a perfect 5.0 rating from 7 reviews, it’s an thrilling way to explore Newport’s eerie past.
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Recap
Kentucky offers a diverse array of engaging tours, from exploring the state’s rich history and cultural heritage to indulging in its culinary delights. Whether you’re interested in learning about Cincinnati’s past, uncovering Newport’s mobster secrets, or savoring the flavors of Covington, there’s a tour to suit every traveler’s preference. These immersive experiences provide a unique opportunity to discover the best of Kentucky’s vibrant cities and uncover their hidden gems.