Celebrate Halloween, NKY Style

Northern Kentucky can be a spooky place. With a long history and neighborhoods that date back to the Civil War, the region holds many tales of roaming ghosts and gruesome events that will send chills up your spine.

Here is a sampling of what awaits you here, as the weather grows colder, and the spirits come out to play. Links to all the events can be found here.

Nightmare ships and haunted fields

The USS Nightmare docks in Newport this time of year. It’s one of the area’s longest haunted tours (over 30 minutes), inviting brave and foolhardy guests to explore two full decks of pure horror.

Sandy Acres Farm is a charming place to visit in the daytime. At night, though, it gets a lot creepier. Come for a hayride through haunted fields—if you dare.

For kids

To get the kiddos involved in something more than just trick-or-treating, take them to the free Halloween Hoopla at Behringer-Crawford Museum. They can do a seasonal craft, march in the costume parade and more.

For fans of LEGO, the Northern Kentucky Convention Center is hosting Bricks, Tricks and Treats, a LEGO convention with a Halloween theme.

Talk to dead people

Falcon Theatre and Dinsmore Homestead Museum have teamed up to create a rare opportunity to talk with six costumed actors who are portraying people from the Homestead’s past. All the characters are based on their actual lives, letters and journals. It’s kind of like a historic version of “Sixth Sense.”

Take a spooky tour

Tickets are still available for the Halloween date of the Spooky Secrets Tour. This 2-mile walk past haunted houses, creepy historic sites and cool shops was created by the author of “Secret Cincinnati” and the writer for the NKY Art Tours website. It’s the perfect way to start your Halloween celebrations.

For more Halloween fun, as well as details on the events listed above, please visit NKY ArtQuest’s Halloween roundup.

About the author:

Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.

Boozy Milkshakes in Bellevue

We finally made it to Nomad after seeing so many mouth-watering social posts! A product of pandemic-times, its opening may have seemed like a sleeper, but Nomad should be at the top of your list for picture-worthy boozy milkshakes!

A great place to gather with friends

Located at 225 Fairfield Avenue, the outdoor patio space is cute, comfy, and conducive to gathering. And the interior of the restaurant is no different.

We loved the lounge area room, complete with a trunk full of board games. I could totally hang out here, drinking milkshakes and playing games til my heart is content. We opted to sit inside during our visit since the outside temperature exceeded 90 degrees, but we can’t wait to return and have a shake on the patio.

Food at Nomad

Those who’ve ever shared a meal with me know that my eating habits are like those of a child. No, really, my young kids (8, 6, and 3) all eat more healthily and more adventurously than I do. So when I heard about Nomad and their menu of tacos, tater tots, and milkshakes, my eyes lit up. I mean, what a combination! And combinations they have–all with witty menu names. Being a lover of words, I took several minutes to just read the menu and giggle at the plays on words.

After much debate, I settled on the Naughty Nati tot basket. A nod to Cincinnati-style chili, this would be a great way for visitors to sample the Cincinnati delicacy if the thought of chili on spaghetti repulses them. It’s literally tater tots smothered in Cincinnati-style chili and topped with onions, mustard, and cheese. While the cheese was a bit different than the traditional shredded cheddar you’d see from Skyline, Gold Star, and the like, the Naughty Nati tots were tasty and exactly as I expected they’d taste.

My friend ordered the blanco taco (smoked chicken, mozzarella, onion and pico) and the Korean BBQ taco (Korean style short rib, mozzarella, onions, house-made kimchi) and enjoyed both. While they may not be the top pick if you’re looking for traditional tacos, they’re certainly a solid choice. And when the hankering hits for tacos and tots or tacos and milkshakes–you know where to go!

Milkshakes at Nomad

Drumroll, please…. The moment we’ve all been waiting for–the boozy milkshakes! The menu names of these are all so cheeky! (S’more than a feeling, Oreo speedwagon, Dough you want me baby, Go Nutell-it on the mountain, etc.) But the shakes are serious business. So. Good!

My friend opted for the “Ba-Duh Duhduhduh Duh-Dumdum! Tequila!,” a lemon sorbet blended with Jose Cuervo tequila & blueberries, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. I sampled hers and it was incredible! Much more of a berry base than I expected from the description, which I loved. It would be perfect on a hot day, sitting on the patio. So refreshing!

If you’re like me and looking for a more “traditional” milkshake, there are several options. I opted for the “Build me up peanut butter cup,” which is ice cream blended with bourbon, Ghirardelli chocolate sauce & peanut butter, topped with whipped cream, Reese’s Cups, Hershey bar, and cherry. Yum–what’s not to love?! One of the best milkshakes I’ve ever had!

And if you aren’t into milkshakes, they also have several other cocktail options, including margaritas, sorbet spritz, hot toddy, Kentucky mule, and more.

If you’re looking for a different dessert option, I’m intrigued by the tot fudge sundae–cinnamon sugar tossed tater tots, three scoops of vanilla ice cream, Ghirardelli chocolate & caramel drizzle, whipped cream, and a cherry. I have never seen a concoction quite like that on a menu anywhere else and it sounds appetizing!

Explore Bellevue

Once you’ve gorged enough on the treats at Nomad, you can saunter over to Darkness Brewing across the street, or venture down Fairfield Avenue to explore more of Bellevue. From the cute shops, other restaurants & bars, and chill patios (think Three Spirits Tavern, also a B-Line stop!), there’s plenty to do to keep you entertained in Bellevue!

Written By: Dot Crane, MeetNKY

Covington Night Bazaar Returns- With Covington’s First Entertainment District

If you live in or have visited Covington, Ky. the past few years, you might remember the Night Bazaar—an evening arts and crafts festival with entertainment and food and drink.

Night Bazaar Extends to Four Months

We’re excited to announce the 2021 return of the Covington Night Bazaar! Local non-profit Renaissance Covington is bringing it back, bigger than ever. It will be a recurring festival, taking place in July, August, September, and October. The hours and dates for the Night Bazaars are:

Saturday, July 24, from 6-11 pm

Saturday, August 28, from 6-11 pm

Saturday, September 18, from 6-11 pm

Saturday, October 23, from 6-11 pm

It will take place in the Roebling Point neighborhood, at the foot of the Roebling Bridge (where Smoke Justis, Eishaus, Frosthaus, Molly Malone’s, and Keystone Bar & Grill are located.)

Covington, Ky.’s First Entertainment District

Fun news for this year’s Night Bazaar – it will be the first time the city of Covington, Ky. enacts its Entertainment District!

What’s an Entertainment District?

Customers over 21 will be able to purchase alcoholic refreshments at the local restaurants and bars and sip and stroll with them as they peruse the art and crafts from more than 30 local artisans.

You can read more about Covington’s Entertainment District on the Renaissance Covington website.

In addition to the local artists’ booths, and the food and drink options, there will also be a variety of live entertainment throughout the evening.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Northern Kentucky, need an outing for the family, are interested in local art and artisans, mark those calendars for Covington’s Night Bazaar 2021!

Author: Dot Crane, Content Marketing Manager

Dot Crane is the Content Marketing Overlord for meetNKY. She’s a proud resident of Covington, KY and loves helping others #lovethecov. You can find her sampling local craft brews at NKY’s seven craft breweries, or capturing the perfect image throughout the Cincinnati region to showcase our blend of Southern Charm and big city excitement.