In 1815 the "Covington Company," consisting of a trio of businessmen, decided to buy 150 acres on the Licking River's western side, at its confluence with the Ohio River. They chose the name of Covington for the area to honor General Leonard Covington, who died in the 1812 war. The original city outlay was five square blocks. The first five streets got their names from Kentucky's first five governors: Shelby, Garrard, Greenup, Scott, and Madison. Covington saw an influx of German immigrants in the 1830s, causing the town to grow and its subsequent incorporation as a city in 1834. As it grew, the city expanded beyond the initial five blocks to include the western Main Street and the southern 12th Street. These additions were the basis for the German-speaking neighborhoods in present-day Covington, Mutter Gottes, and Mainstrasse Historic Districts. During the early and mid-1800s, officials built many iconic buildings and churches, including the Mutter Gottes Kirche, the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, the Western Baptist Theological Society, and St. Elizabeth Hospital, to name a few. In 1851, two more large German neighborhoods arose, Austinburg from 16th Street to 20th Street, and another western area now known as Lewisburg. John A. Roebling was responsible for constructing the Suspension Bridge, which began in 1856. However, due to some stops and starts, the bridge only formally opened in 1867. Local builders initially designed the bridge for horsecars and pedestrians. In the 1890s, they altered it to accommodate electric streetcars and the automobile not too long after. The height of Covington's economic expansion was in the 1920s and 30s. The city saw the development of several key industries like refrigeration at the hands of Frederick M. Jones, as well as recreation and tourism. Although there was a dip in the city's growth during and after World War II for quite a few decades, this situation changed. Up to the present day, there has been a steady increase and revival in its population and economy since then, attracting many to buy condos in Covington.

Covington has so many things going for it, which is why most people are delighted with its authentic, local scene. Part of this local scene is the distinctive German influence evident in many unique shops, street art, restaurants, bourbon bars, and craft breweries, and do not forget walking tours.

Here are a few things to while away the time in Covington that you really shouldn't miss:

Wunderbar: The German-themed Covington restaurant famous for its homemade, freshly ground German sausages, Wurst. You simply must try it! They're deliciously memorable and addictive!

Behringer-Crawford Museum: This family-friendly museum celebrates the unique arts, heritage, and culture of Northern Kentucky. This museum has everything from a mammoth fossil to an 1892 interactive Streetcar that provides an unforgettable journey back in time.

Old Kentucky Bourdon Bar: Found in the heart of the Covington Mainstrasse district, this charming bar has over six hundred Craft Whiskeys and 450 Bourdons. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail on the bar's lovely patio and take a minute to relax after (not before) meeting your realtor for a Covington, KY condo viewing.