Ride the Ducks, Cincinnati 'a perfect fit'

A new attraction launching from the Newport Aquarium is showing off the sites of Newport, Covington and Cincinnati from a unique point of view - the water.

Aquarium owner Herschend Family Entertainment has opened Ride the Ducks Newport, a 40-minute tour that includes 25 to 30 minutes on the Ohio River, with a land circuit of the Great American Ball Park, Paul Brown Stadium, the aquarium, the World Peace Bell, and the historic homes on Covington's Riverside Drive.

The amphibious vehicles, which seat up to 37 passengers, are based on the famous DUKW that served as landing craft during World War II.

"The Greater Cincinnati area has a rich history as a river city, dating all the way back to the Porkopolis days," says Kevin Smith, operations director for the Newport Aquarium.  "We thought that bringing an attraction like Ride the Ducks to the area was a perfect fit."

Smith says that tour guides are given a significant amount of historical information and performance coaching, ensuring that everyone will learn something during the trip.

"We have found that even if you are a native of the region, there is a lot that you can learn about the area while having fun and being entertained," he says.

He couldn't be happier with the support they've received.

"Both the City of Newport and City of Cincinnati have been great to work with," Smith says.  "They have offered the support of in-house historians, police departments, and Parks and Recreations."

Ride the Ducks Newport, the company’s eighth U.S. location, operates between 10 AM and 8 PM daily.

Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for children and are available from a kiosk located outside of the aquarium.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Kevin Smith, operations director, Newport Aquarium