It was an overcast day when I decided to make the twenty minute drive down to Cincinnati to explore the downtown and bridges. I had already walked the Roebling Bridge and wanted to check out the “Purple People Bridge.”
Also known as the Newport Southbank Bridge, this stretch of iron connects Cincinnati to Newport, Kentucky. Initially named the L&N (Louisville & Nashville) Railroad Bridge, it was the city’s first railroad bridge opening in 1872. My favorite location to admire this beloved structure is from Yeatman’s Cove where the northside of the bridge pier originates.
One of three railway bridges, it was also traveled by pedestrians. Spanning 2,670 feet, this is the “longest connector of its kind in the country that links two states.” Remodeled in 2006, the railway as removed and the bridge was strictly a pedestrian walkway.
In 2001, the L&N Bridge was closed for automobiles and pedestrians. Spending $4 million dollars, the bridge was refurbished and reopened in 2003. Some of my favorite photos of Cincinnati have been taken from the Purple People Bridge.
While there are plenty of photos prohibiting locks on the fence and bridge rails, it has become a popular trend to commemorate a couple’s love for each other.
The bridge was named a National Historic Landmark in 2001 and is available for receptions, weddings, parties, dinners and charitable events. Spectacular views of the Cincinnati and Newport skylines await as I take the 20-minute walk from one side to the next. With so much history and a noted popular location with outdoor enthusiasts, the Newport Southbank Bridge is on the top of the list for visitors to explore. And should you become lost, ask a local to point you towards the Purple People Bridge. Rest assured, you won’t be able to miss it.
Have you strolled or biked over the Purple People Bridge? Were you traveling from Cincinnati to Newport or vice versa? I would love to hear what you thought about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my stroll over the Purple People Bridge and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Cincinnati’s Purple People Bridge
Downtown Cincinnati, OH
Where to Stay:
AC Hotel by Marriott Cincinnati at the Banks
135 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 744 9900
Where to Eat:
Moerlein Lager House, Microbrewery and Restaurant
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 421 2337
I ordered the Chef’s Charcuterie and the Fried Pickles as I enjoyed a flight of beers.
What to Read:
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Babbitt, by Sinclair Lewis
- Back Street, by Fannie Hurst
- The Frontiersmen, by Allan W. Eckert
- Beloved, by Toni Morrison
- Cincinnati, by Lee Davis Willoughby
- Queen City Jazz, by Kathleen Ann Goonan
- The Cincinnati Red Stalkings, by Troy Soos
- The Jazz Bird, by Craig Holden
- Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison
- No Police Like Holmes, by Dan Andriacco
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