Looking for some major horsepower, fun festivals, a walkable downtown, and amazing restaurants all in one place? Just an hour from the Tennessee-Kentucky state line, Bowling Green, Kentucky is home to some fast and furious excitement. It’s also one of the tour stops for the Kentucky Capitals Quest passport program.
With the Corvette GM Assembly Plant, NCM Motorsports Park, and the National Corvette Museum all located in Bowling Green, it’s no wonder this destination is known as the Corvette Capital of the World.
Add in The Reindeer Farm, shopping local, and the Lost River Cave, and you’ll see why you really need more than 48 hours to explore it properly. But that’s all the time we had, so we packed as much speed and fun into our trip as possible!
When You Feel the Need for Speed: National Corvette Museum
Hit the accelerator and make your way to the National Corvette Museum. If you’ve ever driven past Bowling Green on the interstate, you most likely saw the unique red-spiked roof of the museum’s Skydome.
While I have visited the museum several times in the past, this was my first visit since the 2014 sinkhole wrecked several priceless cars. The staff did a really great job creating an immersive “Ground to Sky: The Sinkhole Reimagined” exhibit, showcasing the recovery and rebuilding process. As museum-goers wander through the Skydome, marveling at the one-of-a-kind cars housed in the space and reading about the members of the Corvette Hall of Fame, they will literally walk right over the sinkhole.
Take a moment to peer through the window set into the Skydome’s floor, and you’ll see the ladder that was used during the recovery process and get a feel for the depth of the sinkhole. It’s a truly unique experience.
If you visit before January of 2025, you’ll have the chance to view the museum’s current exhibit, “LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile and Motorcycle Painting.”
The LUSTER exhibit features 55 iconic paintings by 15 of today’s realist and hyperrealist artists who specialize in either automobiles or motorcycles. A walk through the art gallery will allow you to view some truly impressive work, including pieces that focus on car parts as well as full autos.
Feeling hungry? Cruise into the Stingray Grill for a delicious burger, salad, or appetizer. Since you’re in Kentucky, you should save some room for the Bourbon Bread Pudding or a slice of Derby Pie.
Where to Explore: Lost River Cave
As a former Park Ranger and tour guide myself, I know the hard work that goes into learning your history, finding the right balance of fun and fact, and keeping the attention of your guests. So I was thrilled to discover the tour guides at the Lost River Cave have a genuine love of the cave and its history and were masterful storytellers.
The 72-acre park is home to the Blue Hole, once known throughout the area as a bottomless, man-eating waterhole. There’s a lot of local lore about the cave, the Blue Hole, and the Grist Mill woven into the tours.
From Civil War encampments to a prohibition-era Speakeasy, the history of Lost River Cave is intriguing. With two miles of nature trails, the grounds are home to limestone bluffs, wetlands, meadows, a restored prairie, a natural spring, and a seasonal butterfly habitat.
We enjoyed a 25-minute ride through the Lost River Cave, as our guide told us tales of Jesse James and ancient hunting grounds, while also showing us interesting cave formations and explaining how the cave went from being a landfill to an urban nature sanctuary.
Where to Get Hands-On: The Reindeer Farm
Load your kids onto the sleigh and head to The Reindeer Farm this holiday season for the best Christmas ever.
For my family, it’s never too early to get in the Christmas spirit! This hidden gem turned out to be our favorite spot in Bowling Green, and my daughter cried when I told her we had to leave.
Get your tickets online if you don’t want to miss out on the reindeer encounters. Day passes are also available on-site at the barn. You’ll enter and exit through the gift shop, which has a quite an assortment of fun finds. The barn also features Reindeer Stalls for birthday parties as well as a letter-writing station with a giant mailbox so kids can send Santa their holiday wishlists.
Once outside, there’s so much to do! We’re talking about a petting zoo with mini cows, Kunekune pigs, alpacas, bunnies, and miniature donkeys. A wine truck for the adults. Kona Ice during the spring. A bounce house, karaoke, tons of photo ops and scenic backdrops, and so many adorable animals to pet.
Grab some hot chocolate, and soak in the sounds of Christmas by the fire while the kids ride the Reindeer Train or play field games like cornhole, ring toss, and Oversized Connect 4.
The farm is a seasonal venue, with a Spring Fling event in April and May. They can do group tours and field trips upon request with advanced notice. But their time to shine is in November and December.
This year, their first event will take place on November 2 with Wine Wonderland. The main season kicks off November 15 with tickets available for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through December 29.
There are different themed events every day during the holiday season, with musical performances by Elsa and Ana, cookie decorating, and smores. Choose from a regular day pass and spend the entire day petting animals, watching holiday movies, enjoying the indoor playground, and playing dodgeball or “Snowball Fight” as it’s aptly named at the farm.
Other ticket options include Reindeer Encounters, Breakfast with Santa, Breakfast with the Grinch, and more. Those tickets go fast, so if you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate the holiday season this year, book your trip before it’s too late!
Where to Hang Out: White Squirrel Brewery
We happened to be in town for the White Squirrel Arts Fest, put on by the White Squirrel Brewery. While the 3-day event had activities located across Bowling Green, we stopped by the White Squirrel Brewery, listened to several different bands, and enjoyed the festive atmosphere. Food trucks were set up around the property, and the White Squirrel mascot came by a few times for some photo ops.
The taproom is open year-round, so drop by for some craft beer, great vibes, and a fun night out with your friends. The Kolsch Style Ale came highly recommended, and I can attest to its sweet flavor and malty slant.
Where to Shop: Downtown Bowling Green
In between attractions and restaurants, take a walk through the beautiful downtown area. Fountain Square Park is the centerpiece, featuring a lovely greenspace with benches and of course, the enchanting fountain that dates back to the 1870s.
Stroll along the sidewalks and pop into some of the local shops, like Candle Makers on the Square, where you can find all sorts of locally-made gifts. From jewelry and t-shirts to art and decor, the shop feels both homey and fun. If you have time, sign up in advance for a candle-pouring event!
Love reading? Capitol Books by Friends of the Library carries a variety of puzzles and games, DVDs, CDs, and reasonably-priced paperback and hardcover books for readers of every age.
Where to Snack on Sweet Treats: Mary Jane’s Chocolates and Chaney’s Dairy Barn
Shopping is hard work! Stop by Mary Jane’s Chocolates and reward yourself with a little taste of heaven. The chocolatier has been crafting delicious morsels for more than 12 years. My favorites were the peanut butter Fountain Squares, the truffles, and the dark chocolate bourbon balls (when in Kentucky!).
Depending on the weather, you might also want some ice cream to cool you down. If so, head over the Chaney’s Dairy Barn for some sweet treats. My little one opted for the Cookie MOOnster Ice Cream (blue ice cream with chocolate chip cookies and Oreo pieces) while I continued my bourbon-themed experience and had some Bourbon Crunch made with my favorite spirit, Makers Mark.
Where to Break Your Fast (aka “Eat Breakfast): Providence Coffee and Marketplace
In case you missed the memo, half of traveling is about exploring attractions and wandering off the beaten path. The other half is about food, at least for my family!
Across the street from the Lost River Cave is an amazing little place called Providence Coffee and Marketplace. Since I’m not a coffee drinker, I ordered a nice cup of hot chocolate for myself and some cold milk for my kiddo. We decided to go with both sweet and savory and split a chocolate croissant which was melt-in-your-mouth good, a blueberry muffin that my daughter ate most of, and a yummy sausage and egg croissant that I kept all for myself.
While I was still savoring my breakfast and sipping my hot chocolate, my daughter spent some time playing checkers, tic-tac-toe, and making herself at home on the couch. There were plenty of books to read and games to play, so it’s a great place to slow down and savor your meal.
After eating, make sure you browse the shop, which features an eclectic assortment of goods available from 20 different local small businesses. You’ll find local meats, sauces and coffee, handcrafted desk lamps, locally-made syrup, honey, pickles, jams, and seasonings, as well as candles, jewelry, plants, and even designer pillow shams.
Where to Dine: Novo Dolce
Hit the breaks and wind down at Novo Dolce for dinner. I give the service a solid 5 stars, especially since I have a kid who was feeling a little tired from all our explorations. The friendly servers made us feel very welcome and offered recommendations on their incredible menu.
Since I honestly couldn’t choose what to eat, I told the server to surprise me, and she did just that. She brought me a bowl of the Shrimp & Grits. Two giant triangles of perfectly crusted grits were topped to perfection with shrimp, mushrooms, peas, and green onions. The delicious Cajun cream sauce enhanced the flavor of the mouth watering dish. I sipped on a Strawbasil Mojito Mocktail that had the perfect amount of refreshment and kick.
The kid's menu is not published, but they do have one, so don’t let that deter you from taking the family. The server kindly let us know what was available, and my kiddo opted for a yummy cheese pizza.
Where to Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites
Located off Cave Mill Road, the Fairfield Inn & Suites is a nice, family-friendly hotel featuring clean rooms, great staff, and a central location.
Our room featured a mini-fridge, which was great for us, as we needed to refreeze the ice packs for our travel cooler. Our accommodations were spacious, providing ample room for me to log onto my computer in the work area or relax on the couch, while my kiddo watched TV from the bed until it was time to sleep.
Shift into drive and head north to Bowling Green, Kentucky if you’re looking for some exciting things to do with your family, friends, or even solo. To find out more information, contact the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau by logging on to VisitBGKY.com. In addition to attraction listings, accommodations, and event information, the helpful website also features themed trip ideas and itineraries for foodies, adrenaline seekers, and more.