Outer Campbell

A blend of rural and urban communities, Campbell County is a neighborhood south of Cincinnati. This 200-year-old area is overflowing with forests and farms, sandwiched between both the Ohio River and Licking River. Campbell County is rich with military heritage, as it's home to Spanish-American War barracks and the birthplace of a prominent weapons inventor.

Along the Ohio River, you will find several century-old residential areas. Newport is the second-largest historic district in the state, comprised of tightly packed, brick homes on narrow streets. It is brimming with Gabled roofs and decorative porches. You will find a rich variety of styles, including Queen Anne, Classical Revival, and American Foursquare. The region even created its own style, the “Newport House.” Bellevue has Victorian Vernacular and Italianate styles, while Fort Thomas has Arts and Crafts foursquare and bungalows.

The further south you go, the more rural it becomes. Dubbed “Tree City”, Southgate has quaint and cozy brick homes with small front yards. For suburban living, head to Cold Springs, Claryville, and Crestview. These subdivisions feature mid-sized homes in wooded areas. For off-road homes on large landscapes, check out Grants Lick, Gusber Mill, Carthage, Flagg Spring, Mentor, and Camp Springs.

For a rural home near the river, look into Silver Grove, Melbourne, and Ross communities. Select a smaller house at Derby Hill Pointe Mobile Home Park.

There are more than a dozen public parks and trails to visit. The award-winning A.J. Jolly Park spans more than 1,000 acres and includes a wide array of recreation activities. Spend the day fishing, kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boating on its 200-acre lake. Practice your swing on the 18-hole course or play a game of disc golf. Choose from nearly 90 camping spots or spend the night in a yurt. Take a hike or horseback ride the trails. It also features traditional sports fields, like baseball, soccer, basketball, sand volleyball, pickleball, and tennis. City Center Park has a splash pad, a pitching wall, and a tennis practice wall. Rossford Park has a large playground for kids to climb. Pendery Sports Pak houses 8 baseball fields, an NBA-sized basketball court, and 6 soccer fields. Get lost in the wilderness at St. Anne Woods and Wetlands. See wood frogs and a wide variety of tree species. Take a walk in the forest at the Nature Trail, hike the Fort Thomas Landmark Tree Trail, or pedal along the Tower Park Mountain Bike Trailhead.

The area is served by more than 22 public schools, as well as more than a dozen private schools. The University of Northern Kentucky is also centrally located in Campbell County.

Tour the Ohio River and learn about its deep history aboard Queen City Riverboat Cruises. Do your own sailing at one of 4 boat clubs, including the Freedom Boat Club or Manhattan Harbour Yacht Club.

Athletes can practice on more than half a dozen fields, including Winkler Ball Fields. Hit the track at Valhalla – NKU Cross Country Course or practice your swing at Hickory Sticks Golf Club. Play disc golf at Highland Hills Park or go indoors for exercise at Morscher Park Sports Complex.

For a touch of history, tour the City of Fort Thomas Museum. See their collection of military uniforms and relics spanning nearly 150 years.

Enjoy a tasting or tour of the area's 5 vineyards, including 12 Mile Creek Winery and Stonebrook Winery.

Eat riverside at Enson Harbor or the Chart House. Grab some out-of-this-world food at Galactic Fried Chicken or pick up a sub at Fessler’s Legendary Pizza and Hoagies. Kickback with a craft beer and friends at New Riff Distilling or Darkness Brewing. Get some sugar at Schneider’s Sweet Shop or wait for Silver Grove Dari Bar’s seasonal ice cream stand.

Campbell County hosts a robust calendar of events, such as the Kentucky Dragon Boat Festival, Sun Valley Bluegrass Festival, and Festival on the Lake. Kids look forward to Jolly Thursdays in the summer and the annual Halloween Spooktacular.

Campbell County is located within 30 minutes of the tri-state area's leading attractions. Enjoy America’s favorite pastime at The Great American Ballpark, the home stadium of the Cincinnati Reds. Explore more than 70 acres of exotic animals at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, one of the oldest zoos in the country. They also offer classes and workshops for kids of all ages. Just over the Ohio River, you will find Coney Island Park, the largest recirculating pool in America. For nighttime entertainment, head to the Hard Rock Casino.

Campbell County is also within 45 minutes of massive theme parks and museums. To the north is Kings Island, the largest amusement and water park in the Midwest. Head northeast and you will find The Creation Museum. Through state-of-the-art exhibits and animatronic dinosaurs, it educates tourists about creation science. The museum also features an on-site petting zoo, a zip line, stargazing seminars, and workshops for kids.

Written By

Courtney Drenan

Photography Contributed By

Gabor Kovacs

Video By

Mark Barakat