Purple People Bridge

This is a great attraction that allows you to walk across the bridge to Newport, Kentucky. The views of the Ohio River, Cincinnati Skyline and the Newport riverfront are amazing.

Another cool experience to be in 2 states at once. You can get a great photo standing in Kentucky and Ohio. The purple hue on the steel is unique for large bridges. It’s also a nice walk and a crisp view of the Cincinnati skyline.

Exciting and fun! Short walk from the Newport on the Levee mall. Looks to be an old vehicle bridge, now it's just for foot traffic and bikes. Beautiful scenery. It was fun to stand at the border in the middle of the bridge and have each kid stand in different states while I stood in both. One side is Newport, Kentucky and the other side is Cincinnati, Ohio. We watched a large barge go down the Ohio river, boys enjoyed that. Could be a very romantic walk or one for running.

This bridge has a loaded history. Go look it up on Wikipedia, you can have a fireside lore night with your friends. Anyway, this is very scenic and it's great to see this used in a 21st century manner. Low-key gives you cheaper parking for a Reds game. You can also rent it out for a private function. Maybe the next time the Vikings come to town, they should come here to prepare for a game. Might also stop them from constantly choking in the playoffs.

I really enjoyed my walk across the bridge. There were several markers along the walk that if you stopped and looked it had a nice view! There is a designated section to hang locks for love. Lots of boats to watch, and we even got to see the Belle of Cincinnati depart Port!

This was the epic spot to watch a sunset! Perfect view of the city! Close convenient parking! And the bridge was maintained as far as cleanliness!!! Loved it! The only negative that I have regarding my time here was that it was not posted clearly that you had to pay for parking so I ended up with a $30 parking ticket when I came back definitely wasn’t happy about that but all is well!

Ok, I’m a bit bias but this has to be the best pedestrian-only bridge ever! 💁🏻‍♀️I frequented this bridge a lot in my 30s. It’s great for walking, jogging and biking. I enjoy the mornings and afternoons here. The sunrises are amazing and the afternoon is spacious. Evenings are ok but it gets crowded. If you’re a visitor, I recommend parking in the Newport at Levee garage and walk this bridge to Cincy. It’s half a mile so bring a camera and comfy shoes. You’ll have a charming view of Cincinnati’s cityscape and bridges.

Great pedestrian bridge for walking, biking or running. They even allow you to rent it out for events. As a tourist you are able to stand in both Kentucky and Ohio at the same time. There's also a "locks of love section" about halfway down where you can leave your lock for all to see. Attaching anything to the bridge outside of this section is prohibited. There is riverfront parking between AMC & Hooters. The price is $5

Staying on the Newport, Kentucky side made the Purple People Bridge the perfect starting point for exploring Cincinnati. The bridge itself is such a fun landmark--bright, iconic, and completely pedestrian-friendly. I loved how easy it was to walk across and instantly connect with the riverfront on both sides. From the Newport side, you get beautiful views of the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline, especially at sunset when the whole city lights up. It felt safe, lively, and welcoming, with plenty of locals and visitors enjoying the stroll. The bridge is also a great way to bounce between attractions--restaurants, a theater, and aquarium on one side and bars in Newport on one side, and stadiums, parks, and the downtown energy of Cincinnati on the other. You can also book events there, I think it would be fun to do an event on the bridge. I saw on the website, they host weddings, brand activations and all kinds of fun things there. I love the "locks" that is on one side of the bridge, and they also have a mural that shows you where the Kentucky/Ohio border is. As a side note, the bridge is a "no scooter" zone during busy times (after games etc). The bridge is more than just a crossing--it feels like an experience in itself. The views alone are worth it. Whether you're out for a morning walk, an evening view, or just want to say you've walked from Kentucky to Ohio on foot, the Purple People Bridge is a must-do when you're in the area.

Was staying in Newport Ky. Wanted to get some exercise so I took a walk . Came to the bridge and decided to see what was on the side in Cincinnati. The view off the bridge was awesome the Cincinnati skyline, the Ohio river and the other bridges. Very clean. I had a great time at the park on the other side. Very cool thing to do.

My girlfriend and I took a nice after-dinner stroll across the bridge to Cincinnati and back. A nice man stopped and took our photo for us. The views of both sides of the river can't be beat.

Was staying in downtown Cincinnati, and decided to take a stroll over the bridge into Kentucky. I walked along the waterfront over to the bridge. I arrived around sunset and it was beautiful. There were a bunch of others strolling around as well. Took me about 20 minutes to walk the whole thing. Lovely views.

Awesome old car bridge turned into a pedestrian walkway over the Ohio river. The bridge connects Newport, Kentucky to Cincinnati, Ohio. The bridge is about 2,670 feet (.5 mile) long. We took our time but would estimate that it took us about 15 mins to walk across one way. If you are in the area and get a chance it's pretty cool to walk across and there are some great views. Learn more at https://purplepeoplebridge.com

Love crossing this bridge. What an easy access from each die of the river. Great spot to take some good pictures.

Great accessible bridge. Really fun to be able to stand "two places at once" at the Ohio/Kentucky border. Bridge is fun to walk and look over and see all the boats and activity on land. Great chill afternoon activity with kids or just to get some gentle exercise. The purple part is also awesome. Loved going across and back.

Fun find on the river. Very clean and safe walking bridge with a fun photo opt where the Ohio and Kentucky boarders are over the Ohio River. Good for all ages. Cheap parking beside the Ohio side entrance. Lots of "learning " opportunities about the history of the bridge. Nice park just beside it.

What a fun way to observe and experience the Ohio River. We saw lots of walkers and runners while enjoying our stroll and spent time enjoying the history lesson on plaques on the Ohio side. The walk is not too long and there is plenty of room for everyone to walk and run at a different pace without getting in each other's way. We took lots of pictures along the way and enjoyed the experience although I would have expected more of the bridge to be painted purple!

For Earth Day I walked from Kentucky to Ohio and back on this bridge. I am so very happy the got it reopened after last years closure. It's a lovely walk into downtown Cincinnati!

If you're trying to decide which of the pedestrian bridges to visit, I'll say both. But if you ask me which one should you not miss, I'll say this one.

Fun having access to a people only bridge. Great view of Cincinnati. Discovered by chance & we were glad we did.

Purple bridge purple bridge did you know that it's a purple bridge? The purple bridge connects two different cites in two different states it's a bridge for you to walk from one city in one state to another city in another state the bridge itself is super awesome not only because of it's purple color but because of the way the layout is super fun to look at super beautiful at night and totally one of the best views of the river and city you can get anywhere! Purple is my favorite color so once I found out there was a purple bridge I just had to come here for that reason alone it was awesome but the walk between the two states was just icing on a purple cake! Overall it's just a bridge but it sure was a fun walk back and forth if your in the area and looking for something mellow to do then this is totally it as you can't go wrong walking between two states on a purple bridge!

Newport gets 5 stars but come on Cincinnati you can do better!!!!! We walked a long way in extreme heat to cross the Purple People Bridge to go to Newport on the Levee. Let me tell you it was so hot and just when we were getting close to the gate side after walking so far and way up the ramp we saw the gate was padlocked!!!!! Not a great way to support tourist foot traffic. What is the deal? We talked to a security guard through the gate. He was on the unlocked Newport side and told us he could not open the gate because it was locked by Cincinnati. This makes no sense whatsoever. We had to walk back down and now get a Lyft because there was no way we could have gone to the other vehicle bridge and taken the sidewalk across the river. Way to go Newport for having your side open but shame on you Cincinnati. What a disappointment.

I thought we would be able to walk across to Cincinnati but there are locked gates on the Ohio end of the bridge. Nice area to walk. Apparently Wednesday evenings they have vendors and music on the bridge until 10:30

Visiting from Florida and decided to go for a little jog downtown. Truly a beautiful jog for a city setting and all the bridges are pedestrian friendly. Relatively flat and leads to the river walk, it was a great jog. Lots of activity along the walk during the weekend (water playground for kids, food trucks, swings, picnic tables) that seems good for the whole family. Looking forward to hitting this place once more before I take off.

If you want to be in 2 states( Ohio & Kentucky) at one time then you should be on this bridge. This bridge also gives a good view of Cincinnati skyscrapers and great for wedding photoshoots too. Parking on either side of the bridge and take a walk and relax on either side of banks of the river.

We attended purple bridge Wednesday sponsored by Donatos. It was a beautiful night spent drinking Braxton's beer listening to music and catching up with family and friends. There was also a food truck which served brunch items. I didn't get a chance to try but it looked delicious.

I had a reception on the bridge, walked the bridge many times, and attended several other events held on the bridge like "Wine Over Water" "Party on The Purple" etc. In my opinion the Cincinnati skyline is one of the best most picturesque skylines in the United States. The bridge is a great place just for a romantic walk and pictures or a place to walk off a nice meal after enjoying a fine restaurant on either side of the bridge. If you ever want to rent the bridge for an event, the people are very courteous and will try their best to meet your needs. One day lights will be a nice addition to this pedestrian bridge and the Newport Skyline.

Yo bridge you'd be so purple. Wednesday night party is on the bridge brings sometimes interesting bands sometimes same old same old. Tonight was a reggae band that was great, along with Donatos pizza and a pretzel food truck that made my day with a goetta stuffed pretzel. Lots of beer choices, places to sit, covered sofas, makes for a great party spot!

Popularly known as the "Purple People Bridge". You definately can't miss it. I think it's a great addition to Newport, Kentucky and adds character. I've been on walks and done photoshoots on this bridge. Love it!!

Great Bridge. Watch out for bikes but lots of space to walk around and recreate with some lovely views of the river!

We rented the bridge for our wedding reception. What an incredible venue! My guests were thrilled. My pictures are incredible. The whole night was over the top memorable. The staff at the Southbank Bridge Co were easy to work with too. You will have to rent your equipment though (tent, chairs, tables, etc). However, If you are looking for a different kind of event, you cannot go wrong. This location will be one you and your guests will always remember.

Located right next to Newport on the Levee and across the street from the Hofbrauhaus, the "purple people bridge" is a nice relaxing walk to & from Kentucky & back. You will need to find on the street parking unless you're visiting the Levee & don't mind to park in their parking garage. The bridge provides a beautiful view of Cincinnati, boats on the river, the mural painted on the back of Newport Aquarium and and overall peaceful feeling. Runners, walkers and bikers will all enjoy this bridge. The kids love the line separating Ohio from Kentucky. Who says you can't be in two places at once? I highly recommend taking a stroll across the bridge.

This is probably my favorite bridge I have gone on. I really like that it is a pedestrian Bridge only with no cars or trains or that kind of stuff. I love that it crossed over the border of Ohio and Kentucky. I got to stand in 2 states at once. I had a great view of the Cincinnati skyline and the river. I had a really good time on the bridge and I recommend this bridge to anyone.

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).

I don't have a ton to say about this bridge, but I did think it was a great way to explore as a pedestrian and, combined with the river walk, showed great effort on the part of the city to make being outside exciting for residents and visitors. There were a few activities along the bridge, that although cheesy, broke up the long walk over the river. Park in Kentucky and then walk back over to Cincinnati (or vice versa) using this bridge if you have the chance!

Better known as the Purple People Bridge, this structure is America's longest pedestrian bridge connecting two states. It originated as the L&N Railroad bridge in 1872 and has since become a historical landmark with renovations taking place in 2003. The Purple People Bridge features a two-lane route for foot and bike traffic as well as a separate walkway solely for pedestrians. The bridge has many benches and trash recepticles along the way, and makes for a great view the Ohio River Valley. The entrance is located on the eastern end of Newport On The Levee and exits at Sawyer Point. It spans a half-mile long and is a 20 minute walk. Unfortunately the bridge climb closed down in 2007 due to lack of revenue (tickets to climb were around $80 per person). However, the Purple People Bridge is still popular with Levee patrons, bike enthusiasts, and those in search of a relaxing stroll across the river. The bridge can also be rented for marathons, small events, and weddings. The Newport Southbank Bridge is a wonderful warm weather attraction connecting two culturally rich areas of the tri-state. Many families and young professionals can be found on it during the daytime. As with any urban area, use caution at night, always travel with a group, and you'll be safe.

Love this Purple People Bridge! Great for a walk straight to Newport, fantastic views on Cincy skyline, some benches available for sunset watching. Privately owned and there is a possibility to rent it! Saw a wedding there this summer, you cannot beat the views and be more original than that! I wish the high walk on top of the bridge would re-open at some point.

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.

I like this bridge. What I like about the Newport Bridge is that I can park at Newport, and walk across the bridge to Cincinnati whenever I'm seeing a show or game nearby. It only takes about 10-15 mins to walk from the Newport parking structure to the US Bank Arena. The walk is nice, and the views are nice. And, you get to avoid all the traffic of people going in to that area. The last time I was there was for a show at the US Bank Arena, and there was a baseball game starting at the same time. It was so crowded and hectic! We parked at Newport and walked over, and it was so much better. Plus, on the walk back there was a little booth set up on the bridge that will print out a photo of you if you upload a picture on Instagram and hashtag one of their hashtags.

I have to admit, I was more than a little amused reading all of the reviews for Newport Southbank Bridge, or more commonly known, the Purple People Bridge, which connects Sawyer Point in Cincinnati, OH and Newport on the Levee in Newport, KY. These reviews were detailed and well-written. So why was I amused? Because it's a bridge! What exactly can you review about a bridge? Let's see. Connects two separate land masses - Check Spans across a large open space - Check Large open space filled with large body of water - Check Can walk across it - Check Can ride a bike across it - Check Hasn't fallen down yet - Check Sounds like a five-star rating to me. Mahalo, and enjoy.

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!

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?

As far as purple bridges of the world are concerned, this one must rank in the top five, maybe as high as number 2 or 3?! This pedestrian footbridge connects the lively vibrancy of Kentucky's Newport Levee complex with the urban grittiness of a desolate abandoned car park on Ohio's Cincinnati side. As we genuinely heard someone say to their friends one night "You end up in a completely different state across that bridge". That's true. When you have had your fill of the cinema, aquarium, bars, restaurants and retail attractions at the Levee you can walk across the bridge and immerse yourself in Cincinnati's progressive culture of architectural and entertainment nothingness. It's like a Leonard Cohen song brought to life. The bridge though? Well, it's very bridge-like in a perfect bridge way. Hang on... why am I reviewing a bridge?

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.

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.

There's certainly nothing wrong with this bridge (although there was a little graffiti). It's just that it's a bridge that you walk across. It is a pleasant way to get from Cincinnati to Kentucky over the Ohio River but at the end of the day, you wouldn't even think twice about it if it weren't promoted as some "attraction". It's a nice, functional bridge. Not really a must-see though.

The owners of the bridge used city employees paid with city money to remove all of the love locks and subsequently put up signs forbidding any new locks. They did not however remove the graffiti or do any other productive cleaning measures. Disgraceful...

It's hard to review a bridge, but here it goes! I love walking across this bridge. There are attractions and parking at both ends. It's nice to watch the river traffic from the benches on the bridge, especially at night. This would be a 5, but the bridge itself isn't as aesthetically pleasing to me as the Roebling Suspension Bridge. The other downside is that there are occasionally events held on the bridge itself which makes passage difficult. Still I usually find myself on this bridge if I'm having a night out in Newport (and sometimes when I'm having one downtown).

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.

I am a bridge type of person, I love looking at different bridges and the architecture behind it. The good point about this bridge is we were able to park in Ohio and walk to Kentucky how awesome is that to be able to park in one state and walk across to another. It was very well worth the drive the scenery was just simply beautiful downtown was amazing as well.