Home of America’s sports car, the Corvette, Bowling Green, KY is filled with fun, thrills, charm, and farms. The city offers much more than you might think and you will be pleasantly surprised at how cool this place is. There are also plenty of places to stay in case you want to extend your enjoyment. Read on to check out the fun things to do in Bowling Green, KY.
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1. Baker Arboretum & Downing Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Baker Arboretum on Thursday, October 2, 2014
When you want to have quiet afternoons in the great outdoors of Bowling Green, one of the best places to visit is Baker Arboretum & Downing Museum. Over 150 species of Kentucky native plants, 88 species of cone-bearing plants, and 106 types of Asian maples call the arboretum home. Take a walk around this Kentucky attraction and then head over to Downing Museum where works by American painter Joe Downing are displayed. Come here for a nature-filled day. Best of all, admission is free!
Baker Arboretum & Downing Museum
Address: 4801 Morgantown Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
Website: Baker Arboretum & Downing Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
2. RiverWalk at Mitch McConnell Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Scenic long walks are exactly what’s waiting for you at RiverWalk at Mitch McConnell Park. Welcoming all travelers, whether solo or with family, this beautiful park features a bridge over the river, surrounded by lush vegetation and plenty of green spaces. There are benches placed all around the park so you can take in nature and enjoy people-watching. If you want to get some exercise during your trip to Bowling Green, this park is perfect for morning walks and jogs.
RiverWalk at Mitch McConnell Park
Address: Save, 426 East Riverview Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
Website: RiverWalk at Mitch McConnell Park
3. African American Museum Bowling Green
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Get to know the history of African Americans in Bowling Green and come with the whole family to this museum. African American Museum dedicates itself to preserving, documenting, and sharing the culture and the story of black communities in the city, particularly in the 20th century.
Some of the artifacts displayed here include the contributions of the African American community to education, sports, healthcare, business, military, and entertainment. Admission to the museum is only through appointment, so plan your visit and call ahead!
African American Museum Bowling Green
Address: 1783 Chestnut St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
4. Weldon Peete Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
When you want to go on an outdoor adventure in Bowling Green, one of the best places to visit is Weldon Peete Park on River Street. This park offers ample trails for mountain biking and walking. The trails are suitable for beginner to intermediate skill levels. You may also have a simple picnic with your loved ones at the shelters provided or explore the waters and paddle from the boat ramps available. If you enjoy fishing, there’s a spot for you here as well!
Weldon Peete Park
Address: 1708 River St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
Website: Weldon Peete Park
Opening hours: 7am - 6pm (daily)
5. Rockn B Horse Carriage Farm & Mammaws Kitchen
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Rocknbhorsecarriage on Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Want to take your loved one out on a romantic trip? Rockn B Horse Carriage Farm & Mammaws Kitchen offers private carriage rides around the picturesque countryside. You can have a meet-and-greet with the white horses, too, and have plenty of opportunities for photos! This attraction in Bowling Green is popular for weddings and other romantic celebrations.
As you finish your tour of the farm, you can dine at Mammaws Kitchen, too, where you’ll have a dining experience just like the one you had in the summers back home or with grandma!
Rockn B Horse Carriage Farm & Mammaws Kitchen
Address: 765 Richpond Rockfield Rd, Rockfield, KY 42274, United States
Website: Rockn B Horse Carriage Farm & Mammaws Kitchen
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 7pm; Fri: 11am - 8pm; Sat: 8am - 2pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
6. National Corvette Museum
The Corvette is America’s beloved sports car and this exciting legend is only manufactured in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The museum features over 80 Corvettes, in front of period backgrounds, including mint classics, one-of-a-kind prototypes and contemporary sensations of engineering and design.
If you are a car fanatic, then go ahead and test your knowledge at the interactive trivia kiosks, and don’t miss the chance to try a Corvette on for size in the lobby, where they have a 2015 Stingray waiting for you to put your hands on. Conclude your visit with a souvenir from the Corvette Store and grab a bite to eat in the Corvette Café or go over to the Motorsports Park, to take a lap. The museum even raffles off Corvettes and gives you the chance to be a lucky winner! Tickets start at only 10 USD - check out their website for more details.
National Corvette Museum
Address: 350 Corvette Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
Hours: Daily: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Phone: +1 270-781-7973
Website: National Corvette Museum
7. GM Corvette Assembly Plant
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The GM Corvette Assembly Plant provides its guests the opportunity to view the assembly process of the adored Corvette and understand more about state-of-the-art American automotive manufacturing. This one mile (1.61 km) tour lets you witness the birth of new Corvettes and the exhilarating drive off, at the end of the assembly line. After the tour, you can check out the UAW Retiree Gift Shop, for some unique souvenirs! Currently, the tour of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant is closed and is slated to resume after January 2019, so be sure to check out this attraction, after this date.
GM Corvette Assembly Plant
Address: 600 Corvette Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
Hours: Closed until January 2019
Phone: +1 270-745-8019
Website: GM Corvette Assembly Plant
8. Lost River Cave
All you need to do is reach this colossal cave entrance. Then, let the boat tour take you to another dimension, from here on. The Cave Boat Excursion commences with a relaxed stroll in the valley, unhurried, as if you have absolutely no other business in the world to take care of. The attendant will share some interesting tales of vanishing Civil War soldiers, in the past. Be careful to not hit your head on the famous wishing rock, as you sail through the stream, before being led into the cavern, that will simply blow you away with its sheer magnificence.
The tour is very relaxing, not at all rigorous and loads of fun, with some history mixed in. The gift shop has a lot of cool souvenirs for you to purchase, to help fund the maintenance of the grounds and cave. Sturdy shoes are recommended.
Lost River Cave
Address: 2818 Nashville Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
Hours: Daily: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Phone: +1 270-393-0077
Website: Lost River Cave
9. Aviation Heritage Park
This is a fascinating local attraction and features an assembly of historic jets, in the residential area of Bowling Green. You will find an interesting variety of jets on display here, from a NASA trainer to a Blue Angels jet to an F-111 and much more. This is a great place to spend a pleasant half hour. Where else can you go check out real military aircraft that were flown by real people? It’s pretty cool and is definitely a must visit, if you are passing Interstate 75 and have an hour to spare.
Aviation Heritage Park
Address: 1825 Three Springs Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42104, USA
Hours: Daily: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Phone: +1 270-791-1312
Website: Aviation Heritage Park
10. Ride a lazy river and fly up in the sky
Want to experience one of the best Bowling Green activities? Beech Bend Park has plenty of rides, from a mellow, lazy river to a thunderous wooden coaster. You and your family will have plenty to smile about. The park is in good condition - lifeguards are plentiful and very attentive. Restrooms could be better but are manageable. There are several changing rooms near the lockers, while the lockers are keyless and easy to use.
This is a great place for the whole family, that gets better each year. The admission price is reasonable and it is recommended to arrive early and stay late, to get the most out of this park.
Beech Bend Park
Address: 798 Beech Bend Park Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101, USA
Hours: Daily 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Phone: +1 (270) 781-7634
Website: Beech Bend Park
11. A delightful place for a stroll in historic southern downtown
Stop by Fountain Square Park to stretch your legs and unwind. Walk past the intricate Victorian fountain, with its stone arches, flower beds and paved walkways. Take a seat on a chair made of stone, beneath the shade of a tree and relax right in the middle of a very active downtown, as you watch others walk by. Very clean and well maintained, this park is a nice and inexpensive place to go for a little exercise and fun.
Fountain Square Park
Address: 445 E Main Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
Hours: Daily: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Phone: +1 270-393-3249
Website: Fountain Square Park
12. Tour the dairy barn for a homemade ice cream
Chaney’s Dairy Barn offers premium homemade ice cream, made right on the premises. They also offer homemade sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads, made in their facility, daily. The tour price is 7 USD per person and includes a wagon ride to the barn, a robotic milking demonstration, an observation window into the barn, a scoop of ice cream in a cup and a go on their jumbo inflatable jumping pillow.
Chaney's Dairy Barn
Address: 9191 Nashville Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
Hours: Daily: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Phone: +1 270-843-5567
Website: Chaney’s Dairy Barn
13. Historic Railpark & Train Museum
Bowling Green has a long history tied to the evolution of transportation in Kentucky and, at the Historic Rail Park and Train Museum, galleries of regional and national importance have been developed for public interest. If you are visiting this Bowling Green attraction, you will be spellbound with the array of historic gems you will see here. Be prepared to see an E8 Engine, a railroad post office car, the 1949 Duncan Hines Diner, the Towering Pine (a 1953 Pullman Sleeper), a 1911 built, 353 Presidential Office car and a Chessie Class C-27 caboose, all displayed on a 450 foot (121.9 meter) long track.
Ticket prices for adults is 12 USD, seniors are 10 USD, children are 6 USD and under the age of 4 years are admitted free.
Historic Rail Park and Train Museum
Address: 401 Kentucky St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday to Saturday), 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Sunday)
Phone: +1 270-745-7317
Website: Historic Railpark and Train Museum
14. Riverview at Hobson Grove
Riverview at Hobson Grove was named due to its proximity to the Barren River. Construction of the hilltop home began in the late 1850s and was finally completed in 1872, becoming a centerpiece to the surrounding 400-acre (161.9-hectare) horse and cattle farm.
The house has several features of Italianate architecture, with painted ceilings in two parlors downstairs, an oculus as part of the home’s ventilation system and a water recycling system, to provide water to the upstairs water closet. Visitors can admire the Victorian decor in the downstairs public areas of the house and the comfortable family areas, upstairs.
Riverview at Hobson Grove
Address: 1100 W Main Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Tuesday to Saturday) & 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Sunday)
Phone: +1 270-843-5565
Website: Riverview at Hobson Grove
15. Basil Griffin Park
Don’t know what to do in Bowling Green, KY, with the family? Basil Griffin Park is a 111-acre (44.9-hectare) park, encircled on three sides by man-made boundaries and on the fourth side by a line of trees, next to a small farm, making it an exceptional site for a park. Named in honor of the late County Judge Executive, Basil W. Griffin, Jr., the park has been developed by taking families and their needs into consideration, providing a productive recreational environment, with a wide array of programs.
Featuring a 33-acre (13.4-hectare) lake, with a boat ramp, it is a popular place for fishing. Other amenities include an 18-hole golf course, an athletic complex, football fields, basketball courts, park areas, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, picnic shelters, restrooms, 2.5-mile (4 km) walking trail, a chapel, amphitheater, grills, and two tornado safe rooms.
Basil Griffin Park
Address: Smallhouse Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42104, USA
Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (All days)
Phone: +1 (270) 842-5302
Website: Basil Griffin Park
A lot is going on in Bowling Green
This place is filled with so many activities, you’ll have to increase the length of your stay. We reckon that you’ll want to check out all the interesting places that we have listed here. Make this article your checklist on your next trip to Bowling Green!
Frequently asked questions about the best things to do in Bowling Green, Kentucky
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