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Newport Southbank Bridge
Rating Details »
7 reviews for Newport Southbank Bridge
The Purple People Bridge is a great addition to the Cincinnati waterfront. I like how this has made the waterfront a little more pedestrian friendly and this is conveniently located right next to the aquarium near the levee. There are a fair number of shops within walking distance in Newport, and it's a little embarrassing how barren the Cincinnati side is. That being said, it's not that far from the stadiums and it's an easy way to find more convenient Kentucky parking (and restaurants) and then cross over for a game at Great American.
I've only come across the bridge during the day, and it seems quite safe at these times. This seems great for runners and bike policemen have patrolled along the bridge. On the last visit on the bridge it looks like they've set up a little dining area with some tables on one side of the bridge. This seems like a great location for an evening meal overlooking downtown Cincinnati and the menu seemed reasonable (although it was closed while we went by).
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Historically this bridge has had several names, but now is best known as the Purple People Bridge, since its most recent renovation and paint job in 2001. It's been around since 1872 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the L&N Railroad Bridge.
It is a great way to see the river area and a pleasant walk. Many events, usually nonprofit fund raising related, are held each year on the bridge.
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Not to be gruesome, but...
Strolling across the Purple People Bridge after "date night" at the levee was a favorite past time of my guy and I until about two years ago when we heard that on a Thursday night at around 11pm (our normal date night fell on Thursday) a girl and her boyfriend were walking across the bridge minding their own business when they were mugged at gunpoint and the girl was kidnapped and raped.
YIKES! We stopped our night walks across the bridge after that incident (it was just too freaky and coincidental for us), although we do still cross it for Reds games and such during daylight hours and when there are a lot of people on the bridge.
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The good news: no toll!
Oh, and it serves as a quick and easy way to transport oneself over the Ohio River from Ohio to Kentucky and visa versa. On the Kentucky side, the bridge exit is right next to Newport on The Levee (small shopping center with movie theater, bookstore, etc).
The bad news: um... it's PURPLE. *Gasp*
It's commonly referred to as the PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE.
But wait, there's more!
I was informed that you could actually take an 'intimate' tour of the bridge. By that I mean DRESS UP IN A PURPLE JUMPSUIT AND WALK OVER THE *TOP* OF THE BRIDGE. I couldn't believe my ears but, yes folks, it's true!
People thought this was:
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After eating dinner in Newport, I strolled across this bridge with some out of town guests.
It is a really great place to bring out of town guests as they can really get a sense of the lay of the land from here. You can see Cincinnati, Mt. Adams, Newport, Covington, and the hills in the distance. It's one of the most beautiful places to view the River City from.
Reading the previous reviews I would not consider going across this bridge after dark, so be careful!
You can tell that it used to be the railroad bridge by it's size and what looks like old tracks next to the walkway. My question is where does the railroad cross now?
Purple People Bridge is a great way to get from Newport to Cincinnati (and vice versa) while enjoying a leisurely stroll across the Ohio River. Sure, the color is a strange selection (apparently this was the favorite choice of focus groups), but the hue isn't garish. I'd say the color is between periwinkle and lilac.
The bridge climbing company has closed up shop. I guess people weren't willing to shell out big bucks to climb over a bridge when they could get almost the same experience walking across it for free.
Nonetheless, if you're in Newport check out the view from the Newport Southbank Bridge.
I paid my first visit to the "Purple People Bridge" when I was visiting family and friends in Ohio last summer. This thing was not here when I was growing up, but it is rockin' the Ohio River now! It's kinda goofy, but seriously, how cool is it to have a PURPLE (more like a bluish-grayish lavender, really) people-only walking/biking bridge over the river. My aunt and I drove over to Newport, KY from Cinci and walked over and back. It really does give some good views of the river and adjoining cities. If you happen to find yourself around the Ohio-Kentucky border, this qualifies as a must-do. I mean, really, how many "tourist attractions" are there? Wikipedia says it's the "longest pedestrian-only bridge in the United States connecting two states." Ha,ha, cuz I bet there are SO MANY pedestrian-only bridges connecting two states ...
Apparently you can "climb" the bridge for about $30 (or $60 for an annual pass!!!!!), but I thought I would pass on that oh-so-rare opportunity. Just WALKING across the country's "longest pedestrian-only bridge connecting two states" was thrill enough for me.