13 Best & Fun Things To Do In Bowling Green, KY
You’ll be in awe of Bowling Green’s amazing activities if you’re considering a trip to Kentucky.
Bowling Green offers a wide range of historical, cultural, outdoor, and sophisticated activities, despite being best known for its manufacturing sector.
Bowling Green is much more than just the National Corvette Museum and Western Kentucky University, two of its most well-known attractions.
This city is renowned for being a major agricultural settlement, a river port, and a center of education. It was also the home of American Revolutionary hero Joseph Warren.
Bowling Green is a lively and fascinating vacation spot in addition to its rich history.
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You can be certain that your stay will be enjoyable because it is home to well-liked attractions like Downtown Fountain Square and has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the top 10 American cities.
Bowling Green is a fantastic city to visit with a ton of outstanding restaurants, breathtaking outdoor experiences, interesting museums, and exhilarating amusements.
Take a look at a few of the numerous benefits of include Bowling Green on your short list of travel places.
1. NCM Motorsports Park
NCM Motorsports Park is a motorsports enthusiast’s interactive instructional facility.
This exhilarating Bowling Green feature was added to the Corvette Museum in 2007.
The park, which spans more than 70 acres, is a motorsports enthusiast’s paradise.
In essence, the park offers a risk-free and exhilarating environment for drivers of all ages to practice operating high-performance recreational vehicles.
NCM Motorsports Park provides a tonne of amazing experiences, such karting, private coaching, an Andy Pilgrim experience, driving a Z06 Corvette, and driver safety training.
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A “Trek at the Track” offers an additional exciting opportunity to experience the motorsports track; in essence, the course opens for runners and cyclists to enjoy the track in their own unique ways.
Lastly, for those arriving in RVs, NCM Motorsports Park offers complimentary “dry camping” options.
The sexiest destination for automotive aficionados visiting Bowling Green is NCM Motorsports Park.
2. Russell Sims Aquatic Center
Russell Sims Aquatic Center should definitely be on your schedule if you want to visit Bowling Green in the summer.
Russell Sims Aquatic Center is a popular family destination in the area and is home to a 50-meter public pool.
Russell Sims Aquatic Center is the ideal place to visit when on a summer vacation in Bowling Green if you want to stay cool.
The pool’s zero-depth entry is also noteworthy; it’s ideal for little children or those who are afraid of heights.
There are tons of fun waterpark attractions in the pool, like a splash playground, dumping buckets, palm trees, and a fake beach where you may relax.
Bring your hunger because the facility offers a ton of amazing amenities, such as lounge chairs, locker rooms, and a full concession stand, in addition to its amazing pool.
Last but not least, Preston Miller Park, which includes numerous amenities like volleyball courts, hiking paths, and a playground, encircles the center.
Address: 2303 Tomblinson Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
3. Bowling Green Ballpark
The greatest location to watch baseball in Kentucky is at this ballpark, which has about 4,600 seats.
The Bowling Green Red Hots, a minor league baseball team, call the ballpark home, making it the ideal place for fun times with the whole family.
In addition to having thousands of seats, the 2008-built ballpark features ten opulent suites.
The cuisine at Bowling Green Ballpark is amazing, with five concession booths dotted throughout the park offering a variety of delicious new dishes, including ice cream shops, state fair-themed restaurants, bodega-style eateries, and burger joints.
Modern amenities at Bowling Green Ballpark include enormous video screens, a 360-degree stadium promenade, and even a splash pad for small children.
In addition to the splash pad, the park offers a variety of fun activities for kids to enjoy. A carousel, boardwalk games, and a kids’ Adventureland are just a few of the ways kids may have fun when they’re not playing ball.
Address: 300 E 8th Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
4. Weldon Peete Park
Weldon Peete Park is a terrific place to come if you’re searching for a nice way to enjoy the great outdoors while you’re in Bowling Green.
It makes sense to visit Weldon Peete Park because it offers a ton of activities all in one convenient place.
The park is a favorite hangout for outdoor enthusiasts in the area because of its fantastic trail system.
Weldon Peete Park is ideal for walkers and cyclists of all skill levels, as it was created with the outdoor enthusiast in mind.
Weldon Peete Park is renowned for its 2.8-mile hiking and cycling single-track trail.
Furthermore, the park is now undertaking several expansion projects that will include the addition of a mini skills course and dual slalom course.
Picnic shelters and boat ramps are two more amazing park amenities.
Last but not least, a gorgeous river that runs through the middle of the park provides both a stunning backdrop and an excellent location for water activities.
Address: 1708 River St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
5. South Union Shaker Village
Easily one of the most unusual tourist destinations in the United States is South Union Shaker Village.
The South Union Shaker Village, located in Auburn, Kentucky, just west of Bowling Green, was founded in 1807 and shut down in 1922.
This 6,000-acre property was originally home to the Shakers, a Protestant group living as a communal community.
Once upon a time, this tiny village had over 200 structures, including stables, barns, and dorms.
Essentially acting as a museum, South Union Shaker Village gives visitors an insight into daily life in a religious commune from the 19th century.
Group tours are available, and they last for around two hours. After that, you’re free to explore on your own.
You can explore a number of the village’s restored structures, each of which provides you with a different perspective on this distinctive group of diligent innovators.
Throughout the town, there are many unusual objects on display, such as wagons, linens, furnishings, and manuscripts.
Address: 896 Shaker Museum Rd, Auburn, KY 42206, United States
6. Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo
This zoo with an Australian theme is a great choice if you’re seeking for amazing family-friendly activities.
In Horse Cave, Kentucky, the zoo was founded in 1990 and is situated not far from Bowling Green.
Notable features of the park are its enormous 75 acres and diverse range of fauna.
Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo is not like other zoos in that it only has Australian native animals and their natural habitats.
Most notably, the zoo provides excellent programs that educates guests about Australian culture.
The zoo’s diverse array of animals, including kangaroos, emus, and numerous species of parrots, will make you feel as though you’re in the Outback.
The zoo offers a variety of guided tours throughout the day, as well as numerous interactive exhibits and a discovery area.
A number of exhibits that resemble museums also highlight various aspects of Australian culture.
The zoo also offers an onyx cave, a petting zoo, and a gem-mining experience.
Address: 3700 L and North Turnpike Road, I-65, Horse Cave, KY 42749, United State
7. Traveler’s Cellar Winery
Located in Rockfield, Kentucky, just outside of Bowling Green, this locally owned vineyard is a fun destination.
In 2018, Traveler’s Cellar Winery was founded as a boutique winery with the goal of showcasing regional ingredients in top-notch wines.
Because of this, Traveler’s Cellar Winery produces and markets distinctive kinds that will satisfy even the pickiest customer.
A variety of blends, ranging from sweet to dry and all in between, are constantly available at the winery.
Additionally, there are other options for guests to enjoy Traveler’s Cellar Winery.
There’s always something entertaining going on at Traveler’s Cellar Winery, from “sip and stroll” tours to murder mystery dinners, seasonal festivals, and sporadic vendor markets.
You can purchase cool winery items and wines to go along with your visit to the winery.
Traveler’s Cellar Winery is a must-see, being one of just three wineries in Kentucky.
Address: 3220 Fuqua Rd, Rockfield, KY 42274, United States
8. Barren River Lake State Park Resort
This is one of Bowling Green’s best places to go on vacation.
This is the place to go if you want to combine the best elements of outdoor adventure with relaxation.
To begin with, the resort offers hotel and camping, so there’s something for everyone.
Lodges feature furnished patios, balconies, gas fireplaces, wi-fi, and a plethora of other amenities, all of which look out over the 10,000-acre lake.
There are both basic campsites and spots with RV hookups.
At Barren River Lake State Park Resort, there are a ton of amazing things to do right at your fingertips.
Among the many fantastic activities are hiking, boating, fishing, golfing, swimming, and wildlife and nature observation.
Orienteering, shuffleboard, playgrounds, and basketball courts are other resort amenities.
Last but not least, there is a restaurant on the resort property that offers daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner by the lake.
Barren River Lake State Park Resort is a fantastic place to stay when visiting Bowling Green, and it comes highly recommended.
Address: 1149 State Park Rd, Lucas, KY 42156, United States
9. Gasper Brewing Company
The charming couple who run Gasper Brewing Company are Bowling Green, Kentucky locals who founded the business out of a single man’s passion for homebrewing beer.
Since its establishment in the summer of 2020, Gasper Brewing Company has become a popular destination in the area.
The selection of beers on tap at Gasper Brewing Company is sure to please any beer enthusiast; the facility serves some of the best beers in the area, including IPAs, stouts, ales, and pale ales.
Consider scheduling a brewery tour if you’ll be in the area so you can discover everything there is to know about its inner workings.
Visiting the brewery for a sample, scheduling a yoga class, and lounging in the taproom with friends are some other awesome ways to enjoy the establishment.
Live music, trivia nights, and other seasonal activities combine to make Gasper Brewing Company an enjoyable place to spend time.
Address: 302 State St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
10. Be Happy Yoga & Salt Cave
This studio in Bowling Green is the pinnacle of self-care.
To begin with, the yoga studio offers guided Vinyasa, Hatha, and other yoga styles in a calm and welcoming environment.
The guided yoga schedule is great because it’s a la carte, making it ideal for guests from out of town.
Classes can be bought individually or in groups of three, and you can arrange group or private sessions, depending on what works best for you.
The salt cave itself is one of the most wonderful features of Be Happy Yoga & Salt Cave.
More than six tons of Himalayan rock salt were used to construct this man-made cave.
Among other conditions, salt treatment is beneficial for allergies, anxiety, depression, asthma, and stress.
45 minutes is all you need for a truly soothing salt cave session.
And lastly, Be Happy provides a range of healing massage treatments.
Be Happy Yoga & Salt Cave is the ideal location for relaxation and self-care, and a must-see.
Address: 2710 Nashville Rd #104, Bowling Green, KY 42104, United States
11. Fountain Square Park
Bowling Green’s Fountain Square Park is a lovely park that dates back to the early 1800s.
Fountain Square Park is a wonderful spot to spend a lazy afternoon because of its magnificent fountain in the middle and stunning landscaping filled with figures from mythology.
With its original plans made in 1870, not long after the Civil War ended, Fountain Square Park, which sits on two acres in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has a rich heritage steeped in Civil War history.
Fountain Square Park is open all year round, so any time is a fantastic time to go.
A fresh crop of vibrant landscaping emerges with every season.
The well-kept and vibrantly designed park provides an ideal setting for strolling, observing wildlife, or even taking pictures.
There are charming benches all throughout the park that are ideal for reading a book or enjoying a cup of coffee.
Additionally, Fountain Square Park frequently holds seasonal celebrations and activities.
Fountain Square Park is a lovely little park to escape the chaos of your hectic trip in Bowling Green.
Address: 445 E Main Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
12. The Derby Piano & Dessert Bar
One of Bowling Green’s most hippest attractions is The Derby Piano & Dessert Bar, which opened its doors in 2016.
The Derby Piano & Dessert Bar, hailed as one of the best piano bars in the country, is an immersive experience where you can enjoy amazing live music mixed with delectable cuisine and beverages.
When it comes to food and beverages, The Derby Piano & Dessert Bar offers a distinctive bluegrass cuisine that includes both appetizers and sweets. Some of the options are fried pickles, charcuterie board, triple chocolate cheesecake, and bourbon cake.
But the music is what really draws people to The Derby Piano & Dessert Bar.
Fantastic piano performances by in-house performers light up the bar every night of the week, and the best part is that there’s no cover fee to take in the tunes.
Get ready for an evening filled with delectable cocktails and amazing music.
The Derby Piano & Dessert Bar is one of Bowling Green’s top bars and a must-visit.
Address: 635 College St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
13. 440 Main
Make sure to check out 440 Main if you’re looking for fantastic food and activities in Bowling Green.
Situated in a magnificent 19th-century structure, 440 Main is an elegant restaurant that is one of the most charming things to do in Bowling Green.
The restaurant’s cozy atmosphere makes it the ideal place to go on a date night; the mahogany woodwork and pressed-tin ceilings give the space a rich, textured feel.
Renowned for its menu items infused with cajun flavors, 440 Main offers exquisite, quirky dishes that are genuinely exceptional.
Speaking of 440 Main’s menu, some of the most well-liked items are the hand-carved steaks, champagne chicken, fresh Italian burrata, and crab cakes prepared in the southern way.
Apart from its amazing meal offerings, 440 Main is also known for its exceptional creative cocktail menu, which includes drinks like Berry-ton Rouge Margarita, Crescent City Sour, Voodoo Doll Rum Punch, and Henny for the Holiday.
The fantastic dinner menu and these amazing drink options make for an amazing dining experience.
Address: 440 E Main Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States