I’ll be honest, it wasn’t until I had learned of Mammoth Cave National Park that I even heard of Bowling Green – even though it’s the 3rd most populous city in Kentucky.
From corvettes to caves you won’t find yourself lacking awesome things to do here, though! So rev your engines and get to the starting line, because here we go with the 24 best things to do in Bowling Green, KY!
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Post updated January 6, 2024
Things To Do In Bowling Green, KY
One quick tip before we get started. Bowling Green is located in the CENTRAL time zone. If you are traveling from the East Coast, you will still be in the Eastern time zone until you are just outside of Bowling Green and then it will switch to central time. Keep this in mind when planning your activities.
Corvette Museum
One of Bowling Green’s most popular attractions and probably what Bowling Green is best known for is the Corvette Museum.
Being a very interactive and kid-friendly activity in Bowling Green, I highly recommend you add this to your itinerary.
Kids can see how fast they can change tires and race cars in the Hot Wheels Race to Win special exhibit and adults can admire the Corvette through the years. They even have a simulator where you can get behind the wheel of a Corvette and drive it down a track.
In case you didn’t know, this museum was part of an unfortunate sinkhole accident in 2014 that swallowed 8 rare corvettes. The museum has included this incident as part of its exhibits so you can see exactly where the sinkhole occurred within the museum, look down into the hole itself, and even see some of the cars that were pulled out.
An hour or two is plenty of time to spend here. But if you happen to come hungry, the Stingray Grill is located right on the property.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM
GM Corvette Assembly Plant
This is the only place in the WORLD where you can get an insider look at exactly how these classics are made!! Makes for a pretty unique thing to do in Bowling Green, don’t ya think?
You must be at least 13 years old to participate in a tour and must wear closed-toe shoes. Leave your bags and cameras in the car because they are not allowed inside the facility.
At this time, tours are suspended until February 5, 2024, but you can still reserve your tour for when they resume.
NCM Motorsports Park
Feel like test-driving one of the new C8 Corvettes? How about a C7? Or maybe a Camaro? Or maybe all of them!? You get the point.
If you want to take part in this, be warned it isn’t cheap. You’re looking at about $300 per person, per tour for the C8 Corvettes. Also, make reservations in advance as spaces are limited.
Lost River Cave
Another fun and unique thing to do in Bowling Green is to take a boat tour through Lost River Cave. Claimed to be the shortest and deepest river in the world, this hidden gem is a top site in Bowling Green that you surely won’t want to miss.
It will be about 55 degrees in the cave, so be sure to dress in layers.
You will want to make your reservations in advance and confirm before you go. If they have rain, they may cancel tours if there is flooding in the cave.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Bowling Green is also best known for the incredible Mammoth Cave National Park located about 30 minutes northeast of Bowling Green and an hour and a half south of Louisville. Besides the Corvette Museum, I would say this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bowling Green.
A guided cave tour is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bowling Green and is essential when you are visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. You can choose from several tour options for whichever suits your family best. They have long and short tours, lantern tours, tours where you have to crawl, and fully wheelchair-accessible tours.
In addition to the cave tours, you can camp, bike, kayak, hike, a historic railpark and more! Even if you are traveling with small children, I highly recommend you add Mammoth Cave National Park to your Bowling Green itinerary!
Pro Tip: Be sure to purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible, they sell out fast!!
Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo
Located about 40 minutes outside of Bowling Green, this hidden gem is a really cool, kid-friendly activity that the whole family will enjoy.
Here you can walk (or rent a golf cart) through the forest and see many types of animals and birds. They have a kangaroo exhibit where you can enter, pet, feed, and engage with the kangaroos. It was awesome!
There is also the Mammoth Onyx Cave tour available that is included with your admission. It’s a good alternative to Mammoth Cave especially if you have little ones.
It’s still steep, narrow, and slippery in places but the tour isn’t overly long so I was able to carry my two-year-old son with no issues.
We happened to stumble upon Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo by accident but I am so glad we did. I think it’s a hidden gem definitely worth taking the time to check out.
Beech Bend Raceway & Amusement Park & Splash Lagoon
When you are ready to cool off from the Kentucky heat, head over to Beech Bend for the day! The amusement park has coasters and other fun rides for the whole family. If water parks are more your thing, head straight to Splash Lagoon!
The thrill and excitement doesn’t stop in the park though! Don’t forget to head over to the raceway to watch some drag racing with some truly awesome cars.
Downtown Fountain Square
If you appreciate a good work of art, take a ride to downtown Bowling Green and spend a few minutes admiring Fountain Square. Snap a few family pictures in front of the fountain like we did!
While you’re downtown, take a walk around and see what else you can find.
Chaney’s Dairy Barn
Another hidden gem in Bowling Green, and kid-friendly activity, is Chaney’s Dairy Barn.
They have a restaurant on site serving a small menu. In my opinion, you can skip the food and head straight for the ice cream. That’s the true winner!
Out back, they also have a huge playground for the kids to enjoy and you can take a self-guided tour of the farm and see the baby calves.
Railpark and Train Museum
Another cool thing to do in Bowling Green, KY is to check out the Railpark and Train Museum. Although they do not offer train rides, you will still have a great experience here learning about trains in the self-guided museum tour and guided railcar tour.
Admission prices are $16 for adults, $10 for kids, and under 4 are free.
Riverview at Hobson Grove
If you are looking to learn a little about Bowling Green’s history, you won’t want to miss a tour of this historic home. Constructed in the 1850s, it played a huge part during the Civil War. You can learn all about this on one of their guided tours.
Plus, if you’re looking for a beautiful place to take some Instagram or family photos, this would be it!
Visit Bowling Green’s Breweries & Wineries
A great thing to do in Bowling Green for adults is kicking back and doing some wine and beer tasting.
Click here to sign up for the Hop Passport which will give you discounts at participating locations.
Aviation Heritage Park
It’s worth stopping by to check out these historic planes up close. This is a free activity that is very kid-friendly. Each plane comes with a story of a regional hero and kids are encouraged to touch and admire the planes.
This can be a quick stop as it shouldn’t take you more than an hour to see everything. They are open daily from 8 am until dusk.
Baker Arboretum & Downing Museum
Another lovely, well-maintained hidden gem in Bowling Green is the Baker Arboretum. The grounds make for a beautiful nature walk and the displays are always changing.
The Downing Museum holds works of art by Joseph Downing and is completely free to roam through.
Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery
A fun-filled activity for the kids would definitely be a visit to Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery. Open from mid-April to mid-November, they have in-season fruits, veggies, and plants. Grab a bag and head out to pick your own apples with the kiddos.
It’s free to enter the farm and for only $3 the kids have access to the playground for the whole day. There is also homemade peach ice cream, apple cider slushies, bbq, pies, and lots of other goodies available for purchase.
There are lots of different events that take place at the orchard throughout the year, so check the website to see what’s coming up next.
Shanty Hollow Lake Hiking Trail
If you’re looking for a relatively easy hiking area while in Bowling Green, check out Shanty Hollow Lake Trail. The lake is beautiful and there are options for hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and boating.
The trail also has dozens of waterfalls that can be seen as long as it isn’t too dry.
Basil Griffin Park
A great place to just kick back and relax, Basil Griffin Park in Bowling Green has picnic areas, a playground for the kids, a huge sports and recreation area with tennis courts, basketball courts, football and baseball fields, and a lake where you can feed the geese and ducks.
Take the 2.5-mile walking trail and listen to the sounds of nature. It’s also a great place to pick up your fishing pole and see what you can catch!
Bowling Green Hot Rods
Even though you had a fun-filled day doesn’t mean that has to stop when the sun goes down!! One of the best things to do in Bowling Green at night is to grab the family and check out a baseball game when the Bowling Green Hot Rods are in town.
Indoor Activities & Things To Do In Bowling Green, KY When It Rains
I know we have been talking about some truly awesome things to do in Bowling Green, KY when the weather is beautiful outside. But what happens if you have a not so nice day during your visit? Or maybe you just want to beat the heat with a cool indoor activity.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Challenge yourself to some indoor rock climbing at Vertical eXcape in Bowling Green. It’s a very clean, well-kept gym and they have rock climbing for all experience levels.
Reservations are required and all-day passes are $25 per person. You must be at least 5 years old to climb.
Escape Room
I think escape rooms are a unique way to spend a few hours in the evening or on a rainy day.
Check out Mind Bender Escape Rooms in Bowling Green. They have 4 different rooms to choose from with varying levels of difficulty. Think you’ll be able to escape in time?
Drake Vintage Music & Curios
With over 60 years of country music record collecting, this hidden gem in Bowling Green is a really cool thing to do to burn some time. It’s worth a look around, who knows what you may find.
Capitol Arts Center
An art gallery, a used bookstore and a historic theater encompasses the Capitol Arts Center. All year long they host performances, concerts, movies, etc. Check out their website here.
SKyPAC
Another theater for performing arts is SKyPAC. See what shows they have to offer here.
KY Museum at WKU
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Kentucky and Bowling Green stop by the KY Museum.
Free to the public and open from Wednesday-Saturday, the Kentucky Museum is located on Western Kentucky University campus.
Be Happy Yoga and Salt Cave
Scheduling a massage, yoga therapy, or halotherapy in the Himalayan Salt Cave at Be Happy is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
Spending some time in the salt caves is known to relieve certain ailments and is perfect for meditation.
This would be a lovely and unique date night activity in Bowling Green or a place to go with your girlfriends on a girls’ trip!
Best Restaurants in Bowling Green, KY
With all of these fun things to do in Bowling Green, you’re going to need some fuel. And lucky for us all, there are some great places to eat in Bowling Green. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Rafferty’s – the buffalo mac and cheese and the ribs were top notch!
- Double Dogs – this dog-friendly canine-inspired restaurant has some great bar food served in dog dishes of course.
- Spencer’s Coffee – start your day off with a pastry and a cup of coffee.
- 440 Main – a little more upscale with hand-cut steaks and cajun seafood dishes. You can also order from Micki’s On Main which is in the same location and serves more hand-held options.
- Montana Grille – Try their famous Firebread, it’s the star of the show.
Where to Stay in Bowling Green, KY
All of the places to stay in Bowling Green are relatively affordable, so you have lots of options!
Hyatt Place Bowling Green – located in downtown Bowling Green
Best Western Plus Bowling Green – this hotel is close to Beech Bend Amusement Park
Drury Inn & Suites – what I really like about the Drury hotels is that they serve free snacks in the lobby, and I think that’s a great perk for families traveling with kids.
Click the link for any of these listed above to book your room!
Wrap-Up: Things to do in Bowling Green, KY
I hope you’re as impressed with all of the things to do in Bowling Green, KY as I am and I hope you see that Bowling Green is worth visiting! I am already looking forward to planning my next trip back!
Continuing your journey through Kentucky? Check out my Insider Guide to Lexington here!
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