The fluorescence properties and photoisomerization behavior of 1-(9-anthryl)-2-(n-quinolinyl)ethene (n-AQE, n=2-4) have been investigated in various solvents. t-3-AQE is strongly fluorescent, but does not accomplish photoisomerization, similar to parent hydrocarbon compound, t-1-(9-anthryl)-2-phenylethene (t-9-APE) or t-1-(9-anthryl)-2-(1-naphthyl)ethene (t-1-ANE). Fluorescence and photoisomerization oft-2-AQE and t-4-AQE are strongly affected by solvent polarity. Dependence of fluorescence quantum yield on the solvent polarity is moderate for t-2-AQE and large for t-4-AQE. In nonpolar solvent (in n-hexane), they exhibit relatively strong fluorescence, but do not isomerize to cis isomer on irradiation, even if inefficient isomerization is observed for t-4-AQE. However, as solvent polarity increases, their fluorescences become weak with efficient photoisomerization to corresponding cis isomer. Intramolecular charge-transfer excited state is presumed to contribute to photoisomerization. The S$_1$ decay parameters were found to be solvent-dependent due to the charge-transfer character of lowest S$_1$ state. In polar solvents, the activation barrier to twisting is reduced enhancing the isomerization of r-2-AQE and t-4-AQE in the singlet manifold.