Things To Do In Bowling Green KY. Bowling Green is a university town known for its caves, Corvettes, and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. It’s easy to get lost in Bowling Green’s historic districts, national landmarks, and secret caverns. However, it is the genuine friendliness of the residents that draws visitors to this small town in southern Kentucky time and time again.
Fountain Square Park in downtown Bowling Green is a must-see for anyone interested in learning about the city’s rich heritage while also enjoying the natural beauty of the area. The city spreads out from here, with locally owned shops housed in historic structures and other hidden gems just waiting to be discovered around every corner.
The National Corvette Museum is a must-see for sports cars and regional history enthusiasts. If you’re into caving or hiking, you’ll want to check out the city’s own Lost River Cave and Mammoth Cave National Park, both of which are about 30 miles northeast of downtown. Plan your trip to Bowling Green with our list of things to see and do in the area.
List Of 26 Things To Do In Bowling Green KY Today
1. Corvette Museum of America
Since 1981, only Corvettes have been built in Bowling Green. The National Corvette Museum in the city’s northeastern suburbs displays this prestigious history. It’s open seven days a week to visitors of all ages who enjoy the history and sleek displays at this national museum.
Corvettes, commonly referred to as “America’s sports car,” are renowned around the world for their look, performance, and numerous on-screen appearances. The 115,000-square-foot museum houses more than 80 different Corvette models, among many other things. Antiques, concepts, and prototypes of the next generation of Corvettes are all on display.
Also on display are thousands of photographs, historical advertisements and memorabilia. ‘The Museum of Aviation’ Patrons can experience the thrill of driving a high-performance car in a virtual reality simulator. Corvette Rides are offered at the museum from March through September, giving visitors a chance to sit in the driver’s seat of a real-life Corvette.
The National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park is just one mile away from the museum and offers additional racing opportunities. In addition to go-kart rides, visitors to the Motorsports Park can experience high-performance driving instruction in a Corvette.
Address: 350 Corvette Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
2. The University of Kentucky at Lexington
The Hilltoppers and more than 20,000 students attend Western Kentucky University, which sits on an elevated campus on the north side of Bowling Green. Western Kentucky University, which was established in 1906, continues to draw students from all over the world because of its stunning campus and impressive selection of academic programs.
The Kentucky Museum on campus is a great place to learn about the history of the region. The museum houses historical and cultural artifacts from all over the state in six permanent galleries, as well as seasonal exhibits that change on a regular basis. Students and faculty can enter the Kentucky Museum for free.
The Hilltoppers’ sporting events are another draw for the community. E.A. Diddle Arena hosts basketball, while L.T. Smith Stadium hosts football. The Baker Arboretum, located west of campus, has 115 acres of rolling hills and a wide variety of trees and interpretive information for nature lovers.
In addition to the Bowling Green campus, the college experience extends to the surrounding area. The university contributes a youthful energy to the city’s streets and coffee shops, as well as an academic approach to the arts, music, and healthy lifestyles.
Address: Lexington, KY 40506, United States
3. The Cave of Lost River
One of the best ways to learn about Bowling Green’s history is to visit the Lost River Cave, which is located beneath the city. The non-profit Lost River Cave offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to float down a subterranean river on a boat.
In addition to the history of the cave and the underground waterway, the boat tour guide does a fantastic job of describing and illustrating the area’s “blue pools.” Once used as an underground nightclub and garbage dump, the Lost River Cave now provides a vital insight into the water systems surrounding Bowling Green, Kentucky..
Seven days a week, cave boat tours are offered. For the weekends, reservations are strongly recommended. All ages are welcome on the boat rides, which last about 30 minutes. Getting to the cave requires a 20-minute walk through the grounds.
Natural playgrounds, zipline tours, and nature trails are also available at Lost River Cave. Junior naturalist programs, outdoor classrooms, and a Junior Tour Guide Program are also available at the facility.
Address: 2818 Nashville Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
4. Beech Bend
Beech Bend is an amusement park, racetrack, and campground all in one place. Attractions like upside-down rollercoasters, rotating joy rides, and an epic collection of water slides at the Splash Lagoon Waterpark are well-known throughout the region.
Beech Bend’s on-site dragstrip is a popular gathering place for fans, especially during the annual Bluegrass Nationals in May. Beginning in May, Beech Bend Park will host the weekly Friday Night Lights event, which will illuminate the entire park for your enjoyment at night.
Nearly 500 different campsites are available at Beech Bend, with about half of them supporting full-hookup RVs. If you bring your pet with you to the campground, please do not leave them unattended outside. The campground caters to long-term visitors and has a laundry service and stable internet.
Address: 798 Beech Bend Park Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
5. History Railpark
As a reminder of Bowling Green’s railroad history and contributions, the Historic Railpark and Train Museum is open to the public. The Historic Railpark, housed in the historic Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Nashville (L&N) Depot, features a museum and restored railcars for visitors to climb on.
Artifacts and memorabilia from the region’s railroad history are on display in the two-story museum. Five restored railcars can be climbed into on the grounds outside, allowing visitors to experience what it was like to travel by rail in the early to mid-20th century.
All summer long, the Historic Railpark and Train Museum will be open seven days a week. Mondays are off from November through April, when the facility is closed. Guided tours are available at all hours of the day and night, and on Saturdays, the schedule is extended.
Address: 401 Kentucky St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
6. Fountain Square Park
Located in the heart of downtown, Fountain Square Park is a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. The park was first opened to the public in 1872, and its rich history is evident as soon as you begin exploring the grounds.
Fountain Square Park has been taken over by Civil War soldiers. Prohibitionists and civil rights activists, too, have done their part. Hundreds of people have sat on one of the benches along the sidewalks to enjoy the warm weather thus far.
The park’s central location makes it simple to get around downtown Bowling Green. Across the street, you can see the Capitol Arts Center’s famous marquee. The park’s central fountain is a work of art in and of itself, and there is plenty of interpretive signage explaining the history of the area.
Address: 445 E Main Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
7. Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park, located just over 30 miles northeast of Bowling Green, truly lives up to its name. Mammoth Cave is one of the country’s largest cave systems, having been explored and mapped over 400 miles of this underground karst landscape.
All visitors at Mammoth Cave are required to participate in a ranger-led, guided cave tour. It is possible to take shorter, more accessible tours down to the subterranean level or longer, more challenging “Wild Cave” tours that require squeezing through narrow passageways for six hours or more.
Every day of the year, there are cave tours available, and reservations are strongly recommended.
At Mammoth Cave National Park, visitors can explore the park’s extensive hiking trail system or participate in water sports on the Green and Nolin Rivers. Additionally, Mammoth Cave has three developed campgrounds and a number of primitive camping spots.
Address: Kentucky 42259 USA
8. Bowling Green Hot Rods
Between April and October, the Bowling Green Hot Rods, a minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, play more than 70 home games at this stadium. Baseball games in Bowling Green are great for families because of the low cost of admission and other fun features, such as the display of fireworks following the conclusion of the game.
There’s a distinct flavor to every home game, which adds to the nine innings. Professionals in certain fields are given free admission to games with themed events like “2000s Night.” Other in-between-inning activities include mascot appearances and special playground areas. Baseball camps for children between the ages of six and thirteen are also available.
Address: 300 E 8th Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
9. Hobson Grove Riverview
Hobson Estate, a historic mansion and grounds located north of downtown Bowling Green that depicts 1800s Bowling Green culture, is open to visitors. It was built between the late 1850s and 1872 in the Italianate style, but construction was halted during the American Civil War. The mansion is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A large portion of the interior’s Victorian design and furnishings have remained largely unchanged for more than twice as long as tours of the historic home. Special candlelight tours are just one of the many activities that the estate offers. Every day except Monday, the museum is open for guided tours, with fewer options on Sunday.
Address: 1100 W Main Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
10. Capitol Arts Center
The Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center manages the Capitol Arts Center, a downtown performance venue with a prominent marquee visible from Fountain Square Park. The Capitol Arts Center has been around since the 1890s when it first opened as a vaudeville theater.
The Capitol Arts Center, which underwent a major renovation in 1977, is now one of the city’s most important theaters and entertainment venues. This historic theater hosts a wide range of performances and events, including touring music acts, critically acclaimed film series, and civic gatherings. The popular Capitol Movie Night is held every Friday at this community center.
Address: 416 E Main Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
11. Aviation Heritage Park
The Basil Griffin Park-adjacent Basil Griffin Aviation Museum houses a collection of decommissioned and restored military aircraft. All five aircraft are on display in the circular plaza of the park, including a Phantom II that was shot down during the Vietnam War, as well as a pair of supersonic trainers.
Plaques next to the planes explain the plane’s history and how it relates to aviation in southern Kentucky. New additions to Aviation Heritage Park’s hangar are being restored and made ready for public viewing. Aviation Heritage Park is open to the public and is free to visit, though donations are welcome.
Address: 1825 Three Springs Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky
12. Basil Griffin Park
Basil Griffin Park, a 111-acre green space with a 33-acre lake on the city’s south side, is close to the Aviation Heritage Museum. Visitors to the park can enjoy fishing, non-motorized boating, and feeding the many resident ducks and geese via the park’s nearby pellet dispensers.
Basil Griffin’s Paradise Playground is a popular destination for children of all ages. The park’s athletic complex is frequently used for organized leagues and intramural sports.
Address: Smallhouse Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky
13. The Kentucky Grand Hotel and Spa
The Kentucky Grand Hotel and Spa most luxurious hotel. This four-star boutique hotel in the city’s center features eight individually designed suites with luxurious decor and an on-site spa with treatments for every budget.
Address: 635 College St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
14. Hyatt Place Bowling Green
A high-end hotel with beautiful common areas and spacious rooms is yet another. Hyatt Place’s downtown location, indoor pool, and complimentary breakfast are popular features for guests.
Address: 1347 Center St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
15. The Hotel SYNC
The Hotel SYNC, when you want to feel like you’re staying in a home away from home, look no further than this hotel.
Address: 518 Corvette Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
16. Chaney’s Dairy Barn
Although it appears to be an animal farm barn, Chaney’s Dairy Barn and Restaurant is actually a funky little eatery that serves homemade ice cream.
Chaney’s Dairy Barn is known across the country as one of the best ice cream parlors, serving up delicious sweet treats, greasy home-cooked burgers, and irresistible specialty foods.
Address: 9191 Nashville Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
17. Baker Arboretum & Downing Museum
Baker Arboretum & Downing Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is a veritable garden of visual and spiritual delights.
Landscaped shrubs and trees abound in the Baker Arboretum, while the Downing Museum showcases works by contemporary artist Dudley Downing and those of Kentucky-based artists.
Address: 4801 Morgantown Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
18. Shanty Hollow Lake Hiking Trail
Shallow Hollow Lake Hiking Trail is only a little over two miles long, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
It’s not hard to see why visitors spend an average of 50 minutes exploring the area’s scenic rocky cliffs and naturally landscaped terrains. For those who have exhausted themselves on the trail, a magical hidden lake and waterfall await them at the end.
Address: 921 Shanty Hollow Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
19. Drake Vintage Music & Curios
It’s well-known that music can bring people together, no matter how different they are. Take a souvenir from Drake Vintage Music & Curios’ curio shop, where Freeman Kitchens’ personal country music vinyl collection is on display.
Address: 7487 Plano Rd, Drake, KY 42128, United States
20. Novo Dolce Gastro Pub (Novo Dolce 2.0)
If you want to get to a person’s heart, the first thing you need to do is get to their stomach. For those who are concerned about their culinary prowess, Novo Dolce Gastro Pub in Bowling Green is a great place to bring a date.
Address: 651 U.S. 31 W Bypass STE 101, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
21. Spencer’s Coffee
Spencer’s Coffee, which opened in 2001, has been serving heartwarming cups of world-class artisanal espresso and other coffee drinks that will leave you smiling after each sip for more than two decades.
In addition, they offer a variety of homemade breakfasts and lunches that pair well with their coffee.
Address: 915 College St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
22. Aviation Heritage Park
In order to honor the remarkable artifacts and historic planes that serve as a reminder of a bygone era and can be appreciated by visitors, the city of Bowling Green created the Aviation Heritage Park. It’s one of the best things to do in Bowling Green, Kentucky, not to mention a historical treasure.
Address: 1825 Three Springs Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42104, United States
23. The Derby Piano and Dessert Bar
Visiting the Derby Piano and Dessert Bar in Bowling Green at night is a must if you’re looking for things to do in the area.
One of the best things to do in Bowling Green KY is to go to the Derby Piano and Dessert Bar. This is a great place to dine before or after a performance. An unforgettable dining experience awaits diners at the Derby Piano and Dessert Bar, which opened its doors in 2016. Atmosphere and food are what make it so popular.
Address: 635 College St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
24. Be Happy Yoga and Salt Cave
Visiting Bowling Green and need a little R&R? Visit the Be Happy Yoga and Salt Cave for a rejuvenating and relaxing experience if this is the case. Adults in Bowling Green should not miss the opportunity to visit the unique salt cave!
Address: 2710 Nashville Rd #104, Bowling Green, KY 42104, United States
25. Gasper Brewing Company
There is also Gasper Brewing Company, which hosts live music on occasion and has a welcoming atmosphere. One of the best things to do in Bowling Green for adults is to visit this brewery, which serves some of the city’s best beer.
Bowling Green’s laid-back vibe is reflected in Gasper Brewing Company. As a result of the company’s exposure to various beer and yoga cultures, it has developed a welcoming atmosphere. Brewery tours are one of the best things to do in Bowling Green.
Address: 302 State St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
26. Travelers Cellar Winery
Let’s say you’re looking for Bowling Green activities for adults. If that’s the case, a trip to a winery would be ideal. Travelers Cellar Winery is the place to go if you want to experience the best of Kentucky wine!
Travelers Cellar Winery is a must-see when in the vicinity of Bowling Green. Guests enjoy the tranquility of this small farm’s setting as much as the excellent wines it produces. Full-bodied reds and light, crisp whites are available for sampling in the tasting room’s scenic surroundings. Travelers Cellar Winery has something for everyone!
Address: 3220 Fuqua Rd, Rockfield, KY 42274, United States
FAQs Things To Do In Bowling Green KY
Are you going to Bowling Green Ky?
It’s hard to imagine America without a town like Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Kentucky town has a lot to offer, from quirky attractions to a thriving brewpub scene. At just over an hour from Nashville, it’s ideal for a weekend getaway.
Bowling Green, Kentucky, is known for what?
Kentucky’s Green. Tours of the National Corvette Museum and the GM Corvette Assembly Plant, two iconic landmarks in Bowling Green, will resume soon, so you can see why the city is known as “Geared for fun.”
Who knows about Bowling Green?
University town Bowling Green is home to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and is well-known for its caves, Corvettes, and other unique local lore. Bowling Green’s historic districts, national museums, and underground explorations provide a wealth of memorable experiences.