Bowling GreenKentucky

Corvettes, caves and ever-present charm are just the beginning of what makes this Southern Kentucky locale a truly special stop

Bowling Green, Kentucky, has all the charm you’d expect in a typical Southern town, from its rolling terrain and welcoming locals to its picturesque downtown. What makes Bowling Green a stand-out destination, though, are the unexpected attractions. It’s the only place in the world where “America’s Sports Car,” the Chevrolet Corvette, is assembled. Adding to the fun are an abundance of museums, family-friendly activities and outdoor adventures tailored to Kentucky’s natural landscape.

High-Speed Thrills

Kentucky’s automotive legacy is on display at the National Corvette Museum. Expansive galleries and rotating exhibits show off the past, present and future of the iconic sports car, which has been manufactured exclusively in Bowling Green since the 1980s. If admiring these hot rods has you itching to hit the road, sign up for a high-horsepower adventure at NCM Motorsports Park. In addition to a full calendar of spectator motorsports events, NCM offers a variety of driving experiences that put you behind the wheel to test drive a Corvette with an experienced guide. Racing fans should also check out Beech Bend Raceway to watch local drivers compete on the drag strip. If baseball is more your thing, plan a visit to Bowling Green Ballpark to see the Hot Rods Minor League Baseball team in action.

Explore Caves and More

Southern Kentucky’s unique geography leads to some incredible opportunities for exploration in the great outdoors.Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the largest known cave system in the world; sign up for a ranger-led tour for an underground excursion you’re sure to remember. Above ground, enjoy hiking, horseback riding, fishing and more in the park’s lovely Green River Valley. More unique subterranean exploration awaits at Lost River Cave, where you’ll board a boat for a tour of the Lost River that takes you over 100 meters below the earth’s surface. Round out your underground adventures with guided tours at Diamond Caverns, Onyx Cave and Hidden River Cave.

Cultural Charms

Peer into the past at heritage sites around the area. Downtown Bowling Green looks like something out of a postcard, with historic buildings, local boutiques and the beautiful landscaping of Fountain Square Park lending plenty of small-town allure. South Union Shaker Village was once a haven for Kentucky’s Shaker missionary population. Today, you can get a glimpse into what their communal lifestyle was like in the 19th and 20th centuries through tours of the remaining village structures, complete with their original furnishings. Tour the Italianate architecture of Riverview at Hobson Grove, a 19th-century mansion that served as a Confederate army outpost during the Civil War. Dive deeper into area history with stops at the Baker Arboretum and Downing Museum as well as the Historic RailPark & Train Museum.