Cable-stayed and truss bridges crossing the Ohio River at Louisville, Kentucky

Cincinnati and Louisville on the Ohio

The two great cities of the middle river, by overnight riverboat or an evening on a sightseeing boat.

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Cincinnati: The Queen City

Cincinnati grew up as a river port, and its riverfront still faces Kentucky across the water. The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, opened in 1866, was the forerunner of Roebling’s Brooklyn Bridge. Riverboat guests often visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on the riverfront, a reminder that the Ohio was once the border between slavery and freedom.

Cincinnati skyline and Ohio River bridges at dusk — Cincinnati’s riverfront and the Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Louisville: Derby City

Louisville sits at the Falls of the Ohio, the only natural obstacle on the river, now bypassed by the McAlpine Locks. It is the start or end of the Pittsburgh cruise and, from 2027, the end of Viking’s new voyage from New Orleans. Ashore: Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and bourbon country within easy reach.

For a short trip on the water, the Belle of Louisville, built in 1914 and a National Historic Landmark, runs public cruises in season. Its story, and that of other surviving steamboats, is told on Steamboating Cruises.

Visitors outside Churchill Downs in Louisville by the racehorse statue — Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a short Ohio River cruise in Cincinnati or Louisville?

Yes. Both cities have sightseeing and dining boats on the river. In Louisville, the historic Belle of Louisville runs public cruises in season.

Do overnight cruises call at Cincinnati and Louisville?

Yes. Louisville is a start or end point for the Pittsburgh cruise, and Cincinnati is a regular call. Viking’s 2027 Mississippi-and-Ohio voyage also ends in Louisville.

What is near Louisville for cruise guests?

Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum, and the bourbon distilleries of the surrounding region.

A blue towboat churning up the Ohio River at Louisville — Towboats are everyday companions on the Ohio.

Making a Stay of It

Book a pre- or post-cruise night in Louisville to visit a distillery or the Derby Museum.
In Cincinnati, cross the Roebling bridge on foot to Covington, Kentucky, for the view back.
Spring is busy in Louisville around the Kentucky Derby in early May; book hotels early.

Bourbon Country

Louisville is the gateway to Kentucky’s bourbon country, and many travelers add a day to visit a distillery in or around the city. Several distilleries run visitor experiences downtown, close to the river, and larger rural distilleries are an easy drive away. If your cruise starts or ends in Louisville, a pre- or post-cruise hotel night is the simplest way to fit in a tasting without missing the boat.

The Falls of the Ohio

Across the river from Louisville, in Clarksville, Indiana, the Falls of the Ohio State Park preserves fossil beds hundreds of millions of years old, exposed when the river is low. It is also the area where Lewis and Clark met before setting off west in 1803. The interpretive center and the riverside trails make a good half-day visit before or after a cruise.

Plan a Cruise via Cincinnati and Louisville

Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will match you with the right Ohio River departure, free.

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