22 Best Things To Do In Bowling Green, Kentucky

You have to admire the creativity of this Kentucky community.

Once you've heard the name of this Kentucky town, you'll never forget it. Bowling Green has plenty to offer for just about every kind of traveler, from the car enthusiast to the ice cream aficionado. Corvettes have been made here—and only here—since 1981. Cake-mix king Duncan Hines was a native son. Bowling Green is the headquarters for Fruit of the Loom, the undies giant. Located in South-Central Kentucky, just about an hour north of Nashville, this lively burg is in the heart of some of the most popular outdoor recreation in the Bluegrass State. It's also home to Western Kentucky University and a Minor League baseball team called—naturally—the Hot Rods. With just over 70,000 people, Bowling Green is the third-largest city in Kentucky, but its historic downtown is loaded with small-town character. If you've been bypassing it, here's what you're missing.

Trains, Planes, & Automobiles

Experience The National Corvette Museum

At the National Corvette Museum, see more than 80 of these American beauties—including classics in cherry condition, prototypes, and racing champs—housed in period settings. The museum has a KidZone, Corvette Store, and Stingray Grill. You can even register to win one of these GM autos in a raffle while you're there.

corvettemuseum.org, 350 Corvette Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Hit The Gas At NCM Motorsports Park

While you're visiting the National Corvette Museum, don't miss NCM Motorsports Park, which has activities for drivers of all skill levels. You can race your friends in high-speed go-karts that are ready to rumble or sign up for driving school with a Corvette.

motorsportspark.org, 505 Kimberlee A. Fast Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42103

Check Out The Raceway At Beech Bend

Need more speed? Head to the Beech Bend Raceway Park for stock car racing, drag racing, and other national auto events. The park is set on 379 acres, with beautiful rolling hills covered with beech trees and bounded by the Barren River (thus the name “Beech Bend.”)

A destination since 1898, Beech Bend's dragstrip isn't the only attraction. At nearby Beech Bend Amusement Park, you can take a spin (and scream your head off) on the super-twisting wooden coaster, the Kentucky Rumbler. The rides and attractions run the gamut from relaxing to intense, meaning you can choose your own adventure. The park also features Splash Lagoon, an excellent place to spend a hot summer day.

beechbend.com, 798 Beech Bend Park Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Look To The Skies At Aviation Heritage Park

Those interested in the history of aviation should make a point to check out the Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green. There is a new museum filled with interesting exhibits and artifacts, and on the grounds you'll find a variety of aircraft like an F-4 Phantom, an F-111 Aardvark, an F9F Panther painted in Navy Blue Angel livery, an SH-3H Sea King Helicopter in Marine 1 configuration, and a “Huey” helicopter.

aviationheritagepark.com, 1825 Three Springs Road, Bowling Green, KY 42104

Visit The Historic RailPark & Train Museum

If you're more interested in ground-level travel, take a trip to the Historic RailPark & Train Museum. While you can't take train rides here, you can experience the grounds through a self-guided museum tour or a guided railcar tour. Behind the museum lies 450 feet of track displaying vintage engines and cars, including the Duncan Hines Diner, a post office car, and the personal car of the president of the L&N.

historicrailpark.com, 401 Kentucky St., Bowling Green, KY 42101

Exploring Downtown

Walk the Historic Town Square

Bowling Green's downtown square is home to a concentration of beautiful, restored 19th-century buildings. It's also home to an Art Deco theater called The Capitol, where you can see movies from red velvet seats. Fountain Row has been designated an entertainment district, and it encompasses a long list of local restaurants.

Spend Time In Fountain Square Park

The land for downtown's Fountain Square Park was donated back in 1797. Today, the beautiful, blooming square is the heart of the historic town square, and it's also a lovely place to get a breath of fresh air, take in the flowers, admire the downtown architecture, and decide which boutique you'll head into next.

Shop Your Way Around Town

While you're in downtown Bowling Green, you have to explore some of the local shops and boutiques, which are walkable from Fountain Square Park. Places like Melodies and Memories, Candle Makers on the Square, Capitol Books by Friends of the Library, Morris Jewelry, The Hearth Room, Fountain Square Emporium, and Barbara Stewart Interiors have lots to explore. Then stop by Spencer's Coffee and Insomnia Cookies to fuel up for the rest of your adventures.

Take A Trolley Tour

Sure, you could just drive around town to see the sights, but wouldn't sightseeing be more fun in a red-and-green trolley? The BG Trolley Tour from Bowling Green's Historic RailPark will whisk you through town in a breezy trolley amongst strangers who will no doubt become friends, letting you in on the stories of Bowling Green along the way.

Tune In To Local Performances

Catch national acts, movies, and performances from Orchestra Kentucky at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center—SKyPAC. Their calendar is full of events including performances by Orchestra Kentucky and and Ramsey Theatre Company. Or tune into the locally lauded Lost River Sessions on WKU PBS for American roots music. Some performances can be attended live at the Capitol, a 130-year-old theater downtown.

Outdoor Activities

Tour Amazing Caves

Bowling Green's Lost River Cave is just that—a river running through a 7-mile cave system, offering Kentucky's only underground boat tour. Nearby is the phenomenal Mammoth Cave National Park, home of the longest-known cave system in the entire world. Both are worth a visit (just be sure to wear your sturdy shoes and pack a jacket, because the temps in Kentucky caves are always nice and cool).

Frolic In Basil W. Griffin, Jr. Park

This big park has everything you could want for an afternoon of recreation in the sunshine. Basil Griffin Park is home to basketball courts, multipurpose fields, a disc golf course, walking trail, pickleball courts, hockey rink, chapel, playground, and Jesse Thornton Lake.

warrencountyky.gov, 2055 Three Springs Rd., Bowling Green, KY 42104

Explore The Baker Arboretum

This beautiful 115-acre space on the western outskirts of town is full of storied Kentucky trees. As a living laboratory for Western Kentucky University, the arboretum features dogwoods, magnolias, and other flowering trees woven among conifers and Japanese maples. The Arboretum is open with seasonal hours, so be sure to check the website for details. While you're there, be sure to visit the Downing Museum, which features the work of Joseph Dudley Downing and exhibits by local and national artists.

jerryebakerfoundation.org, 4801 Morgantown Rd., Bowling Green, KY

Food And Drink

Indulge In Local Chocolates

At Mary Jane's Chocolates on Main Street, where the motto is "Cave to the Crave," you'll find the offerings are sweet and heady. At this chocolate shop, which is always stocked with seasonal treats, you might find peppermint hot chocolate, trays of caramels, and frozen banana pops coated in chocolate and topped with chopped nuts or shredded coconut.

instagram.com/maryjaneschocolatesbg, 432 E Main Ave., Bowling Green, KY 42101

Order Lunch With A Scoop of Ice Cream

If you still haven't had your fill of sweet treats, head to the big red building that houses Chaney's Dairy Barn. They host "Ice Cream & A Moovie" events on their lawn during the summertime, and they offer scoops of yummy ice cream all the time. They also have a full service cafe serving up great soup, sandwiches, burgers, and more for lunch or dinner. You can even take self-guided tours of the farm.

chaneysdairybarn.com, 9191 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Grab A Quick Meal At The Counter

Stop at Cambridge Market & Cafe for cozy counter service. The family-owned eatery offers sandwiches, wraps, and sides to serve every taste.

cambridgemarketandcafe.com, 830 Fairview Ave. a4, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Claim A Stool At The Gastropub

Gerard's 1907 Tavern offers burgers and sandwiches as well as classic plates like fish and chips, but with a gourmet flair that makes for an unforgettable meal. Order a craft beer or seasonal martini alongside your Fig and Brie Burger or panko-crusted Wiener Schnitzel.

gerards1907tavern.com, 935 College St., Bowling Green, KY 42101

Order A Steak Dinner

Book a table at Hickory and Oak for great cocktails, an expansive bourbon menu, and flame-broiled steaks plus a raw bar. You may also discover a few surprises on the menu, like rack of Nordic Elk with pine cone bud syrup.

hickoryandoakbg.com, 705 State St., Unit 54, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Dine On Food From Around The World

Bowling Green is home to many excellent local restaurants with global fare. Try Anna's Greek Restaurant for gourmet Greek, Italian, German, French, and Turkish entrees; Trai Di Noi Ristorante for food inspired by Little Italy; and Lost River Pizza Co. for award-winning pizza pies. Local tapas restaurant Toro offers small plates inspired by Latin American and Spanish cuisine. The generous menu includes tostadas, Peruvian chicken, chimichurri, and much more. Thai Thai Restaurant serves classic Thai offerings along with specialties like Thai Thai Phad Kra-Proa—stir-fried meat with sweet basil, veggies, and bamboo shoots served with a fried egg over rice.

Experience Cajun-Style Fine Dining

Experience fine dining with a bit of heat in 440 Main's historic downtown building. The restaurant calls itself "an ode to the South‘s culinary spirit," and serves Cajun classics like jambalaya along with Chorizo Stuffed Chicken, steaks drizzled with Béarnaise sauce, spicy crab cakes, and Bourbon Street Bread Pudding.

440main.com, 440 E. Main Ave., Bowling Green, KY 42101

Taste A Local Brew

Follow the crowd to Tidball's Bar, a popular venue for live music by Fountain Square Park, and to White Squirrel Brewery, which came together in 2021 when two beer aficionados joined forces to revive the brewery. It officially opened in fall of 2023 and is now turning out some of the town's favorite local brews. Visit to try beers like the Jalapeno Kolsch, Nut Brown Ale, and Oatmeal Stout. They say, "Come check out the vibe and enjoy some time in 'Bowling Green's living room'."

Venture To A Vineyard

Visit one of the four wineries and vineyards in the area for a taste of Kentucky's wine. Before prohibition, it was one of the top wine-producing states in the country. Sip on a flight of six samples, and even stay the night at the Bed and Breakfast at Bluegrass Vineyards. Or head into town for a sipper at Preservation Tasting Room & Bottle Shop.

Sip On Bourbon

Kentucky has long been known for its spirits, and while Bowling Green does not currently have a distillery in town, a quick 30-minute drive to Franklin, Kentucky, will land you at Dueling Grounds Distillery, where they craft premium, small-batch bourbon. There's lots to explore in this corner of Kentucky.

duelinggroundsdistillery.com, 208 Harding Road, Franklin, KY 42134

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