Bowling Green Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Bowling Green, a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the beautiful Kentucky region, offers a delightful blend of history, nature, and cultural experiences. Known for its warm hospitality and rich heritage, this enchanting destination is sure to captivate the hearts of all who visit.

One of the city's most iconic landmarks is the National Corvette Museum, a must-visit for automobile enthusiasts. Here, you can marvel at a stunning collection of classic and modern Corvettes, learn about the history of this legendary sports car, and even take a guided tour of the nearby Corvette assembly plant. For a truly thrilling experience, you can even test your driving skills at the adjacent Motorsports Park.

Nature lovers will find solace in the serene beauty of the Lost River Cave. Embark on a boat tour through the underground river and witness the enchanting formations that have been carved over millions of years. Explore the surrounding trails, where you can hike, bike, or simply immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature.

For a glimpse into the city's past, visit the Historic RailPark and Train Museum. Step aboard vintage railcars and learn about the pivotal role that rail transportation played in shaping Bowling Green's history. The museum offers a captivating collection of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the region's railway heritage.

Art enthusiasts will find themselves enthralled by the Kentucky Museum, home to an impressive collection of regional art, cultural artifacts, and historic memorabilia. From traditional folk art to contemporary masterpieces, this museum offers a comprehensive look into the artistic legacy of the Kentucky region.

No visit to Bowling Green is complete without indulging in its delectable cuisine. From traditional Southern comfort food to innovative culinary creations, the city boasts a vibrant food scene that caters to all tastes. Be sure to sample the mouthwatering barbecue, fresh farm-to-table dishes, and locally brewed craft beers that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Alternative names: Population: 63.6 thous.Area: 38.58 mi²Elevation: 571 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 36°59'19"N, 86°26'10"W

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KentuckyUnited States

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Bowling Green Top Attractions

Bowling Green Attractions - What to See and Explore

Bowling Green offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: National Corvette Museum, Wild Mouse, E. A. Diddle Arena, Lost River Cave. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Museum • Specialty museum • Cafe
National Corvette Museum
The National Corvette Museum showcases the Chevrolet Corvette, an American sports car that has been in production since 1953. It is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, off Interstate 65's Exit 28.
Theme park • Water park • Amusement ride
Wild Mouse
Wild Mouse is a steel roller coaster at Beech Bend Park in Warren County, Kentucky. It has a height of 42.7 feet with a length of 1377.9 feet. It was manufactured by Zamperla Rides of Italy. It was installed at Beech Bend Park for the 2005 season, just one year before the park's signature ride the Kentucky Rumbler.
Arenas and stadiums • Basketball • Sport venue
E. A. Diddle Arena
E. A. Diddle Arena is a 7,326-seat multi-purpose arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States. The arena, built in 1963, is home to the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers men's basketball team and Lady Toppers basketball and volleyball teams. It is also known as Academic-Athletic Building #1.

Nature • Natural attraction • Cave
Lost River Cave
Lost River Cave is a seven-mile cave system located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Lost River originates outside of the cave and flows into it. The cave contains one of the largest natural entrances in the Eastern U.S.
Museum • Library • History museum
Kentucky Museum
The Kentucky Museum is a history, arts, and culture museum located at 1444 Kentucky Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky on the campus of Western Kentucky University. It includes 8,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Universities and schools
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier.
Concerts and shows • Theater
Capitol Arts Center
The Capitol Arts Center is a performing arts theatre also featuring two art galleries located on Fountain Square at 416 E. Main Street in downtown Bowling Green in the U.S. state of Kentucky.
37°1'21"N • 86°24'7"W
Kentucky Rumbler
Kentucky Rumbler is a wooden roller coaster at Beech Bend Park in Warren County, Kentucky. It has a drop of 80 feet and a height of 96 feet. Before Kentucky Rumbler, the park did not have a signature ride, and it is the most popular ride in the park.
Park
Beech Bend Park
Beech Bend is an amusement park, campground and automobile race track located in Warren County, in the U.S. state of Kentucky, just outside the limits of the city of Bowling Green.
Monuments and statues
Confederate Monument of Bowling Green
The Confederate Monument of Bowling Green, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is among the sixty-one monuments of the Civil War Monuments of Kentucky Multiple Property Submission, all of which became part of the National Register of Historic Places on July 17, 1997.
Sacred and religious sites • Church • Gothic Revival architecture
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
The St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is a historic church at 434 Church Street. It was built in 1859 and added to the National Register in 1975. It has also been known as St. Joseph's Church.
Museum • History museum
Riverview at Hobson Grove
Riverview at Hobson Grove, also known as Riverview or as Hobson House, is an historic home with classic Italianate architecture located in western Bowling Green, Kentucky. Its construction started in the 1850s but was interrupted by the Civil War. The house played a part in Civil War activities in the area. It was completed in 1872.
36°55'10"N • 86°26'7"W
Aviation Heritage Park
Park • History museum • Museum
Universities and schools
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College is a public community college in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is an open-admissions college and a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
37°0'0"N • 86°26'18"W
Historic RailPark and Train Museum -Bowling Green
Museum • History museum
Church
Burton Memorial Baptist Church
Burton Memorial Baptist Church is a historic stone church on Cemetery Road in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
State Street Baptist Church
The State Street Baptist Church, formerly the First Colored Baptist Church, is a historic Baptist church at 340 State Street in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was built in 1898 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The church was the first formally organized church for blacks in Bowling Green.
Church • Greek Revival architecture
Mount Olivet Church
Mount Olivet Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a historic church on Kentucky Route 526 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was built in 1845 and added to the National Register in 1979. It is a gable-front brick building, with brick laid in common bond.
Historical place
Eloise B. Houchens Center
Eloise B. Houchens Center is a Greek Revival style house in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1980.

Things to See and Do in Bowling Green by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Bowling Green.

Culture

Capitol Arts Center
Bowling Green
Concerts and showsTheater
Baker Arboretum
Bowling Green
MuseumArt galleryShopping
Van Meter Hall
Bowling Green
AuditoriumConcert hallPerforming arts

Active

E. A. Diddle Arena
Bowling Green
Arenas and stadiumsBasketballSport venue
Bowling Green Ballpark
Bowling Green
BaseballSport venueSport
Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium
Bowling Green
Sport venueSportArenas and stadiums

Other categories

Museum History museum Church

Day trips

Bowling Green – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Bowling Green, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Dinosaur World (Cave City), Diamond Caverns (Park City), Kentucky Downs (Franklin).

27 milesNE
37°8'6"N • 85°58'59"W
Dinosaur World, Cave City
Amusement, Specialty museum, Museum
22 milesNE
Natural attraction, Park, Cave
Diamond Caverns, Park City
Diamond Caverns in Park City, Kentucky was discovered on July 14, 1859. Tours are available year around; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. Tours last one hour and is a half mile round trip.
25 milesS
Sport venue, Sport, Racetrack
Kentucky Downs, Franklin
Kentucky Downs is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on the border between Kentucky and Tennessee, in the city of Franklin, Kentucky, just off Interstate 65. It is unique among American tracks in that it is a European-style course—its surface is all turf instead of dirt, and it is not oval in shape.
21 milesNW
Monuments and statues
Confederate-Union Veterans' Monument in Morgantown, Morgantown
The Confederate-Union Veterans' Monument in front of the Butler County Courthouse in Morgantown, Kentucky, was built in the aftermath the Spanish–American War, which helped alleviate the bitterness both sides felt toward the other when it was dedicated to the sacrifice of veterans of both sides of the Civil War.
50 milesS
Forts and castles, History museum, Museum
Rock Castle, Hendersonville
Rock Castle State Historic Site, located in Hendersonville, Sumner County, Tennessee, is the former home of Daniel Smith. Construction began in 1784; its completion was delayed by conflicts with area Native Americans and the house was completed in 1796. It is listed with the National Register of Historic Places and is open to the public.

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Best Time To Visit Bowling Green

Learn when is the best time to travel to Bowling Green weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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July is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. Many people also choose to visit in June and August.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in August and October. Most of it rains in March, May and December.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Bowling Green?

The top attractions to visit in Bowling Green are:

What is the best time to visit Bowling Green?

July is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. Many people also choose to visit in June and August. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January.