A young girl picks out candy from a barrel at an old-fashioned candy store in Northern Kentucky

Sugar & Spice Trail

  • Northern Kentucky River Region

Spoil yourself with sugar, spice and everything nice on this palate-pleasing (and kid-approved) drive around Northern Kentucky.

Bourbon balls arranged on a decorative glass cake standWhether you’re traveling through Northern Kentucky for a few hours or a few days, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge your sweet tooth or satisfy a savory taste along the Sugar & Spice Trail. 

You’ll discover tasty chocolates, classic candies and one-of-a-kind local specialties you’ll only find in Kentucky – plus plenty of unique herbs and spices to bring back home. While you’re here, visit can’t-miss attractions such as the Newport Aquarium and Newport on the Levee. Best of all, every stop is less than 30 minutes from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in Covington, making it an easy stop on your way into or out of Kentucky.

Explore the Sugar & Spice Trail

schneider's sweet shop photo

Schneider's Sweet Shop

420 Fairfield Ave
Bellevue, KY 41073

sweet tooth candies photo

Sweet Tooth Candies

125 W 11th Street
Newport, KY 41071

sweet dreams candy company photo

Sweet Dreams Candy Company

1 Aquarium Way
Newport, KY 41071

colonel de gourmet herbs & spices photo

Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices

18 North Fort Thomas Avenue
Fort Thomas, KY 41075

galerie candy & gifts photo

Galerie Candy & Gifts

3380 langley Dr
Hebron, KY 41048

Schneider's Sweet Shop, Bellevue

Not much has changed at Schneider’s Sweet Shop since it opened in 1939, and the people of Northern Kentucky couldn’t be happier about that. This family-owned candy store is still located in its original location in Bellevue, and still uses the same equipment, methods and recipes to make its assorted chocolates, truffles, cherry cordials and more. But for an only-in-Northern-Kentucky treat, go for the opera creams – a rich cream-and-chocolate candy that was created for the Cincinnati Opera.

Sweet Tooth Candies, Newport

Gold-wrapped truffles, opera creams, pecan bark and homemade ice cream are among the edible treasures at Sweet Tooth Candies in downtown Newport. There’s also an irresistible selection of seasonal treats, from caramel apples in the fall to ice balls in the summer. 

Sweet Dreams Candy Company, Newport

No matter how old you are, you’ll feel like the proverbial kid in a candy store at Sweet Dreams Candy Company. Conveniently located at the Newport Aquarium, the shop easily fulfills every candy craving – from barrels of saltwater taffy to old-fashioned favorites to homemade buckeyes and even a mix-your-own Icee station.

Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices, Ft. Thomas

Founded by local icon and honorary Kentucky Colonel De Stewart, Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices sells a wide variety of seasonings and sampler sets. Now run by Stewart’s wife, Linda, the shop’s World Headquarters in Ft. Thomas also boasts a restaurant, Colonel’s Kitchen, serving breakfast and lunch.

Galerie Candy & Gifts, Hebron

The perfect stop for those flying in or out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Galerie Candy & Gifts offers a little something for everyone. Shop special-edition licensed toys and candies featuring kid-favorite characters from Star Wars and Marvel, discover whimsical gifts like Edible Grass, and stock up on a wide variety of chocolates and hard candies.

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