The Cincy Region spreads between two states and comprises a handful of small communities that provide endless opportunities for faith-based travelers.
Across the Ohio River from Cincinnati and connected via a historic pedestrian bridge, northern Kentucky is a region with 40 communities, including the small towns of Covington, Newport and Florence. The 2025 Going on Faith Conference will take place in the Cincy Region from August 6–8. The official conference hotel will be the Marriott Cincinnati Airport, a 302-room hotel in Hebron, Kentucky. Delegates to the conference will get to network with other faith travel planners and travel industry suppliers, but they’ll also get to experience the Cincy Region’s attractions, including one of the most popular faith-based attractions in the country.
Two States, Many Communities
The benefit of a regional destination is the variety that multiple communities offer visitors.
“We like to say it’s a unique destination because we are a collection of two states that are easily accessible through one destination,” said Amanda Johanneman, director of destination marketing and communications for meetNKY. “Outside of being a two-state destination, it’s also a collection of small cities that have their own charm.”
In this case, all the accessibility of Cincinnati comes with the signature attractions of northern Kentucky’s small towns and communities.
One such town, Florence, home to the “Florence Y’all” water tower, also features some distinct attractions, including the Full Throttle Adrenaline Park, which offers everything from axe-throwing to go-karts. Covington, sometimes referred to as the Brooklyn to Cincinnati’s Manhattan, contains a historic downtown, riverfront hotels and chic neighborhoods to explore. And Newport is home to a handful of riverside attractions sure to delight any group.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, is known for its arts, culture and sports scene, as well as its metropolitan feel. The benefit to the Cincy Region is access to both sides of the river, and the guarantee they will provide groups with plenty to do.
BB Riverboats
One of northern Kentucky’s most popular group attractions is BB Riverboats, a riverboat cruise company that lets passengers glide along the Ohio River while enjoying views of the Cincinnati Skyline, great cuisine and onboard entertainment.
“It’s a great way to see the skyline and take in the riverfront cities that make up the Cincy Region on both the Ohio and Kentucky side,” Johanneman said.
Since its first cruise set sail in 1980, BB Riverboats has been a hit with locals and visitors to the Cincy Region. Its flagship riverboat, the Belle of Cincinnati, is a sternwheel riverboat with three decks, including an open-air upper viewing deck perfect for enjoying sunset views or sunny days.
In addition to the Belle of Cincinnati, BB Riverboats has another smaller boat, the River Queen, which features two climate-controlled decks and a covered open-air deck. It’s perfect for private charters, including weddings and events.
Dining cruises offer a full bar and a buffet with delicious, seasonal menus. BB Riverboats even accommodates passengers who follow gluten-free and plant-based diets with a delicious plated option at mealtimes. Dining cruises include brunch, lunch, dinner and ice cream social cruises, and may include onboard entertainment, such as live jazz music. Sightseeing cruises and other themed cruises are also available.
Group rates apply for groups of 15 or more.
In October 2025, an event is coming to the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky riverfronts. America’s River Roots Festival, a festival designed to celebrate the heritage of America’s river towns and their culture, will be held in the region October 8–12. This festival will involve a total of nine riverboats, including the beloved BB Riverboats fleet, as well as other iconic riverboats from other destinations across the country. The festival will offer more than 70 cruises to visitors.
Newport on the Levee
Newport on the Levee is an entertainment district on the banks of the Ohio River in northern Kentucky’s small town of Newport. Once known for its Vegas-style nightclubs and gambling halls and its fair share of shady activity, now it’s a site for wholesome fun, as well as plentiful shopping and dining options.
The top attraction on the Levee is the Newport Aquarium, which has received numerous accolades and nominations from organizations like Reader’s Digest and USA Today. The 100,000-square-foot facility has exciting experiences throughout for visitors, such as walking through 85 feet of tunnels while marine life like sharks and sting rays swim overhead. There’s also a suspended rope bridge above the shark tank for daring visitors to cross and a gift shop where guests can get nautical souvenirs.
Other popular animals at the aquarium include an assortment of penguins, jellyfish and a giant pacific octopus.
A newer attraction on the Levee is Par 3, a mini-golf venue with an interactive 27-hole course. It also has a restaurant that serves comforting pub fare, including flatbreads, burgers, tacos and even platters for groups.
The Levee also has an esports lounge with new and classic games and a Lego-themed café, as well as plenty of additional dining options. These include classic bar, an ice cream shop, grills and even a food hall.
The Ark Encounter
Located in Williamstown, just a short drive from Cincy Region, is the Ark Encounter, a life-sized Noah’s Ark. It’s one of the top faith attractions in the country, bringing in an estimated 1.5 million visitors each year.
Built to specifications mentioned in the Bible, the massive wooden ark measures in at 510 feet long, 51 feet tall and 85 feet wide with three decks. Inside, it’s a museum with exhibits modeling the biblical story of Noah.
The first deck provides information about the size of the ark and the kinds of animals Noah is believed to have cared for; the second deck focuses on the world before the flood and the events leading up to it; and the third deck features a depiction of Noah’s living quarters and more information about the post-flood world. Groups of 15 or more will enjoy group rates for a visit.
The Ark Encounter encompasses much more than just the recreation of the ark.
“The Ark Encounter has a variety of experiences, lots of family-friend experiences too,” Johanneman said. “It has resident concert performances, ziplining and dining options on-site.”
These additions to the campus make great stops for travelers of all ages. The Ararat Ridge Zoo is home to a variety of animals. Additional animal encounters, such as the behind-the-scenes sloth and kangaroo experiences, as well as camel rides, let guests interact with the animals and are available as add-ons.
The ziplines are part of an aerial adventure park that lets guests see the ark’s campus from a new perspective. There’s also a challenge course and a freefall experience — think a bungee jump without the recoil.
The campus also includes the Truth Traveler, a virtual-reality experience that lets visitors explore the past to see what the time of the flood may have been like via virtual reality.
The Ark Encounter and its sister attraction, the Creation Museum, are both part of the Kentucky Faith Trail, which contain numerous sites across the Bluegrass State that are significant to the Christian faith. St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington is also on the trail.
To register for the 2025 conference, please go to gofconference.com.
