Covington, KY is that quiet little sister no one talks about because it sits right across the river from Cincinnati, OH. With a population of around 40,000 compared to Cincinnati’s 315,000, it’s easy to overlook. But honestly? Covington surprised me, especially Black-Owned Covington, KY.
It has some of the best views of the Cincinnati skyline, more affordable prices, and a charming small-town feel that makes it easy to explore on foot. Whether you walk across the bridge, drive over, or take one of the river crossings, getting between Cincinnati and Covington is incredibly convenient.
I will admit, finding Black-owned things to do in Covington took some digging. With a smaller Black population, there are fewer businesses and cultural spaces to uncover, which is exactly why this Black-owned Covington guide is needed. I had to put on my detective hat and piece together the gems I found during my visit.
The good news? There is absolutely enough to fill a day trip. In fact, I enjoyed Covington so much that on my next visit, I would consider staying on the Covington side. The riverwalk views alone make it worth it.
So if you’ve ever wondered:
How to spend a day in Black-owned Covington?
What is it like traveling while Black in Covington, KY?
This one-day guide is for you.
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As a New Yorker, The Bodega at Roebling was the perfect way to start my morning because we know a good bodega is part of the culture. They even fly in their bagels from NYC, and trust me, New Yorkers take our bagels seriously.
My recommendation? Get a classic bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel. It’s a New York staple for a reason.
Photos courtesy of The Bodega at Roebling website.
Before visiting Covington, I had no idea how much Black history was connected to this small Kentucky city. But when you understand its location across the river from Cincinnati, it starts to make sense.
During slavery, Kentucky was a slave state, while Cincinnati was a free state. The Ohio River became a pathway to freedom, and many freedom seekers attempted to cross from Covington into Cincinnati.
You can explore many of these stories through Covington’s Black history self-guided trail.
One must-stop is the Covington Floodwall Murals, which feature powerful stories of Black history. One mural, “The Flight of the Garner Family,” depicts Margaret Garner and her enslaved family crossing the frozen Ohio River from Kentucky into Cincinnati in their attempt to reach freedom.
Another mural honors Jacob Price, an African American business owner, Baptist minister, and community leader who played a major role in fighting for educational opportunities for Black children in Northern Kentucky. He also helped establish and strengthen Black churches in the Covington community.
Continue along the riverwalk to visit the James Bradley statue, honoring one of the most influential abolitionists you may have never heard of. Born enslaved, Bradley purchased his own freedom and became a powerful voice against slavery. He was the only Black person to speak during the historic anti-slavery debates at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati.
Your final stop can be the Margaret Garner slave escape marker, which provides additional context about her journey and the events depicted in the Floodwall mural.
While these are some of the highlights, there are additional stops along the self-guided trail if you want to dive deeper into Covington’s Black history.
Jane’s Walk Tour, led by The Ancestors Speak
While many people associate the BB Riverboat tours with Cincinnati, the departure point is actually located across the river in Newport, Kentucky.
This is not a Black-owned experience, but I still recommend it because it offers a unique perspective on the Ohio River, which played such an important role in the Underground Railroad and in the journeys of freedom seekers traveling from Kentucky into Ohio.
Originally located in Cincinnati, 6 ‘N The Mornin’ is a Black-owned restaurant that recently moved across the river to Covington. They’re best known for their brunch, but their dinner menu is worth checking out too. If it’s available, try their shrimp and grits for a Southern-inspired meal.
Covington and Cincinnati are the perfect pair for a long weekend because they are literally across the river from each other.
While many visitors stay on the Cincinnati side, I actually think Covington is a great home base. Hotels are often more affordable, and staying near the riverwalk gives you some of the best views of the Cincinnati skyline and bridges.
You can easily explore both cities while getting two completely different experiences.
Covington felt very White to me. The city has approximately 41,847 residents, with White residents making up about 76.1% of the population. Black residents make up about 8.4%, while approximately 8.7% identify as Hispanic or Latino and 1.2% as Asian.
I definitely noticed that racial makeup while exploring. Covington gave me what I would describe as a very “progressive White” feel, almost like Park Slope in Brooklyn or certain parts of Manhattan. The White residents I encountered were very welcoming, but the city did feel noticeably different from places where I was surrounded by a larger Black population.
I did see Black people, but they weren’t as visible throughout the city. When I first drove into Covington, I noticed a few Black residents, though they appeared to be lower income than many of the White residents I encountered. Along the Riverwalk, I saw more racial diversity, but that is also a very tourist-heavy area. I also noticed people of color, primarily those working service jobs, such as in the bus system.
So, while I wouldn’t say Covington has a large or highly visible Black community, I also never felt like Black people were completely absent. For me, the experience was more about noticing who was present, where I was seeing them, and what roles they seemed to occupy within the city.
Some areas of Covington looked a little sketchy while I was driving through in an Uber, but the areas I actually ventured into, including MainStrasse, the Riverwalk, and places I visited for restaurants and ice cream, felt safe.
I also felt comfortable taking the bus around Covington with my mom. Even though I didn’t see many Black people, my guard was honestly lower because of the visible signs of inclusion throughout the city. I noticed a lot of Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ flags, even more than I saw in Cincinnati, and that made an impression on me.
People were also friendly and would chat with us, which helped me feel more comfortable. Some parts of Covington gave me those Park Slope vibes I mentioned earlier. It felt very White, but also progressive and generally welcoming.
Overall, I felt safe exploring the areas I visited and comfortable enough to use public transportation with my mom. While Covington didn’t necessarily make me feel surrounded by people who looked like me, the visible signs of inclusion and the way people interacted with us helped create a welcoming experience.
If I had to describe Covington in three words, they would be: progressive, quaint, and picturesque.
Honestly, I wish I could say more about the Black culture in Covington, but I didn’t feel like I had enough time or exposure to really experience it. My overall impression of Covington was that it had a smaller city or town feel. It was charming and progressive, but I also found myself wondering, “Where are the Black people?”
I did catch glimpses of Black history, particularly along the Riverwalk, where I came across historical markers and murals connected to the area’s history. There also seemed to be some acknowledgment of Kentucky’s history as a slave state and its connection to Cincinnati across the river.
I also found it harder to find Black-owned businesses in Covington compared with Cincinnati. I did hear that there may be some Black-owned businesses and residents moving into Covington, but I didn’t have enough time to explore that for myself, so I don’t want to make assumptions.
I would definitely like to spend more time in Covington to better understand the Black community. My visit gave me a glimpse, but I don’t think I stayed long enough to tell the full story.
Covington, KY, may be much smaller than Cincinnati, but it deserves a visit of its own. If you’re already exploring Cincinnati, take advantage of the opportunity to experience two states in one trip.
While much of Covington’s Black history is connected to Cincinnati and the Underground Railroad, Covington has its own stories to tell. As a Kentucky city located along the Ohio River, it was part of the journey many freedom seekers took as they crossed into Cincinnati in search of freedom.
Don’t just pass through Covington on your way to Cincinnati. Take the time to explore its history, support its businesses, and experience the charm that makes this riverfront city unique.
This post is part of my 50 States Challenge, where I document my journey as a Black woman visiting all 50 states by 50. As a U.S. travel enthusiast and Black travel curator, my goal is to build the largest collection of Black-owned travel guides and reflections on traveling while Black.
Through Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, I am also archiving the Black experience across all 50 states, one conversation at a time.
Kentucky is the 40th State I have traveled to. I’ve traveled to Louisville, Lexington, and Covington.
Would you visit Covington, KY?
Because sharing is caring and it costs nothing!
Welcome to the Franny the Traveler blog! I’m Dr. Franny, a national award-winning educator, entrepreneur, author, and Black travel enthusiast on a personal mission to make every destination a Black-owned destination. As I visit all 50 states and 50 countries by age 50, this Black travel blog is a growing collection of Black-owned city guides, itineraries, travel tips, and reflections on traveling while Black for the conscious traveler. I’m so happy you’re here!
