Portsmouth to Cincinnati
Take a road trip down the historic Ohio River in Ohio and Kentucky with stops in Portsmouth, Maysville, and Augusta. On the Kentucky side, follow the Mary Ingles Highway as the river winds its way to Cincinnati. These four cities are worthy of an entire day’s exploration each, and they provide ample options for food and lodging.
Follow along with Meriwether Lewis at our educational site starting with September 22, 1803 and ending October 4, 1803.
You may also like our L&C Travel Magazine!
Immerse yourself in Portsmouth history with over 2000 feet of larger-than-life murals. They are located in the Historic Boneyfiddle neighborhood which is itself worthy of exploring. For a completely immersive audio and visual tour of the Portsmouth Floodwall Murals, download the Portsmouth Murals App.
Portsmouth Floodwall Mural, Front Street, Portsmouth, OH, USA
Portsmouth Floodwall Mural, Front Street, Portsmouth, OH, USA
Portsmouth, Ohio, USA
Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center, Gallia Street, Portsmouth, OH, USA
Boneyfiddle Commercial District, Portsmouth, OH, USA
1926 Waller Street, Portsmouth, OH, USA
Portsmouth Earthworks, Portsmouth, OH, USA
Portsmouth Floodwall Mural, Front Street, Portsmouth, OH, USA
View Listing
Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center, Gallia Street, Portsmouth, OH, USA
View Listing
Just down the river from Portsmouth, three natural arches are accessed via a 2.5-mile, moderately challenging trail with expansive views of Portsmouth and the Ohio River bottoms below it.
A permit is required available online at or at the park office near Shawnee Lodge on SR 125.
The trailhead is at Malone Cox Road and HW 52 across from the Doug Coleman Memorial Splashpad.
Raven Rock State Nature Preserve, Old River Road, West Portsmouth, OH, USA
27 Malone Cox Rd, West Portsmouth, OH 45663, USA
Maysville is a small town with multiple theaters, museums, historic and playful murals, and the third oldest registered bourbon distillery in Kentucky. A self-guided tour is available at the Maysville-Mason County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau located downtown in the historic Cox building, 2 East Third St.
Maysville, KY, USA
Maysville, KY, USA
The College Café, Maysville, KY 41056
Moon River Bed & Breakfast, Market Street, Maysville, KY, USA
EAT Gallery, West 2nd Street, Maysville, KY, USA
Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, Sutton Street, Maysville, KY, USA
The Old Pogue Distillery, Germantown Road, Maysville, KY, USA
Moon River Bed & Breakfast, Market Street, Maysville, KY, USA
View Listing
Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, Sutton Street, Maysville, KY, USA
View Listing
In the charming small town of Augusta, you can be shown around town by Miss Lily, a friendly local from the late 1860s! Miss Lily, also known as Leah Frederick, is a Southern gentlewoman who is an expert on the town’s history and entertaining guests. One- and two-hour tours are available.
Augusta, KY, USA
Augusta, KY, USA
Augusta, KY, USA
Augusta, KY, USA
Old Pioneer Jail, North Park, Augusta, KY, USA
Augusta General Store, 109 Main St, Augusta, KY 41002, United States
Augusta Distillery, Seminary Avenue, Augusta, KY, USA
Augusta General Store, 109 Main St, Augusta, KY 41002, United States
View Listing
Kentucky Highway 8 is named for Mary Ingles (1732–1815) who traveled down the Ohio as a captive of the Shawnees in the summer of 1755. While making salt at Big Bone Lick, she and another captive escaped and traveled five or six hundred miles following the Ohio River. Today, her eponymous road takes the traveler close to Kentucky’s Ohio River.
Before you reach the hustle of Cincinnati, have dinner at this unique restaurant—or continue to Cincinnati. This isn’t your typical Kentucky fried chicken!
Wed – Sat: 11:30am to 9pm
Sun: 11:30 to 8pm
Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center museum is one of the most unique, culturally enriching, and historically significant spots in all of the Queen City. The hopes, trials, tribulations, horrors, courage, and fortitude of the enslaved black people, escapees, and abolitionists are commemorated in this museum.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, East Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH, USA
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, East Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Cincinnati Black Music Walk Of Fame, West Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Contemporary Arts Center, East 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Washington Park, Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Ft Thomas Community Center, Cochran Avenue, Fort Thomas, KY, USA
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, East Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH, USA
View Listing
Cincinnati Black Music Walk Of Fame, West Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH, USA
View Listing
Ft Thomas Community Center, Cochran Avenue, Fort Thomas, KY, USA
View ListingOur bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.
